| It is in acquiring the finishing touches | | | | a few women who are capable of holding |
| of the ancient art of jiu - jitsu that | | | | their own in combat with men. |
| the student shows whether or not he is | | | | The edge-of-the-hand blow over the |
| naturally fitted for expert work in this | | | | jugular is one that is easy of |
| art. Women can be very adept when | | | | acquirement by women. The hold that is |
| reaching this level of skill. Every feat | | | | secured by bending the arm up behind the |
| that the jiu-jitsian performs is based | | | | back is another feat that should be |
| on some natural law, and the extension | | | | practised by women. Many of the |
| and perfection of the feat depend upon | | | | applications of "bending the arm the |
| his or her ability to observe natural | | | | wrong way" are of especial value to |
| laws and to apply them. | | | | women who do not think it beneath their |
| For example, when striking downward with | | | | dignity to be able to defend themselves |
| an edge-of-the-hand blow the student | | | | at a pinch. And every woman who feels |
| should discover that the blow is both | | | | the slightest interest in the subject |
| more easy and more effective if the | | | | should persuade herself to practise |
| weight of his body be added to the | | | | repeatedly at the trick of stopping and |
| impulse. Then a little thought will show | | | | catching an assailant's fist and of |
| the jiu-jitsian that by springing | | | | "breaking" the attacking arm over her |
| slightly off his feet just before | | | | shoulder. |
| landing with his hand the weight of his | | | | And especially effective for women are |
| body will be added to the blow. | | | | the jabs that may be delivered with |
| After a very little practice the student | | | | either elbow in the short ribs of an |
| will find that this knowledge and its | | | | opponent, or in the soft parts just |
| application has greatly increased his | | | | below. If a woman is annoyed by a fellow |
| efficiency. It will then occur to the | | | | who steps up to her side in a crowded |
| student that a brisk forward impulse | | | | street it does not come amiss to know |
| will add to the value of any blow or jab | | | | how to give him an effective elbow jab |
| he may use in frontal attack. He must | | | | in the solar plexus or in the abdomen. |
| study, now, how to give that forward | | | | The woman who can do this neatly will |
| impulse. | | | | save herself from further annoyance. |
| In the same manner he will find out for | | | | With some practice any woman of ordinary |
| himself just how to make his weight | | | | strength can acquire the knack of |
| count for the most when trying to bear | | | | seizing and holding a man. She can take |
| down an opponent; and he will learn how | | | | him quite unawares and render him |
| to straighten up with the weight of the | | | | helpless without the outlay of much |
| opponent on his back. | | | | exertion. She must, however, look out |
| Not many years ago it would have been | | | | that he does not succeed in kicking back |
| considered an impertinent idea for a | | | | with his heel, and, if he does try it, |
| woman to learn the art of combat. | | | | she must be prepared to strike or to |
| However, lately it has become more | | | | choke with her right hand, which may be |
| acceptable. It was in London that women | | | | spared for the purpose. |
| first fell in with the idea of learning | | | | Thus it can be seen that jiu - jitsu is |
| jiu-jitsu, and Japanese instructors | | | | an excellent system of self-defense for |
| became suddenly in great demand. The | | | | women. It would be great if more women |
| craze quickly crossed the ocean, and in | | | | learned this ancient craft. |
| the United States, to-day, there are not | | | | |