Captain Allan Corstorphin Smith
Librería Samer Atenea
Kálamo Books
Librería Elías (Asturias)
Librería Kolima (Madrid)
Librería Proteo (Málaga)
First published in 1920, this remarkable seven-part course was written by Captain Allan Corstorphin Smith, U.S.A., Winner of the Black Belt in Japan in 1916, and Instructor of Hand-to-Hand Fighting at The Infantry School, Camp Benning, Columbus, Georgia, and at United States Training Camps and Cantonments in 1917 and 1918. It represents one of the most systematic and practical introductions to Ju Jitsu ever produced for a Western readership.The course is built around Smith’s central concept of the Stahara, the body’s core power centre, which he considered the true secret of Ju Jitsu and which underpins every technique taught throughout the series. Extraordinarily well illustrated with a total of 254 photographs, the course is designed for home study and is clearly laid out for the complete novice. It includes space for the student or instructor to record and assess progress, a reflection of Smith’s military approach to training, which emphasises not just what to learn but how to learn it systematically.This edition brings all seven books together in a single volume for the first time.The course consists of:Book 1 -- An introductory course showing that the secret of jujitsu is the Stahara; how to use the Stahara; and how to train the Stahara. (28 photographs)Book 2 -- Defence when a man attacks you by seizing you around the waist; five tricks providing a splendid means of exercise. Defence when a man attacks your throat; after mastering this lesson, the weakest woman will be safe from such an attack. (35 photographs)Book 3 -- Defence when an opponent seizes your wrists; how to lever them out by the strength of your body. This lesson trains you to use your body as a whole. (26 photographs)Book 4 -- Defence when attacked from behind. By having your practice partner attack from behind, you master a series of tricks that will be useful in any situation of attack or defence. (34 photographs)Book 5 -- Defence when attacked by knife, club, pistol, kicks, etc. This lesson teaches quick thinking and gives you presence of mind in an emergency. (44 photographs)Book 6 -- Taking prisoners, hammer locks, and a number of tricks whereby the weaker man can get the stronger. These are intensely interesting tricks, most of them published for the first time. (49 photographs)Book 7 -- Three of the secret grips of Japan, never yet published in any book, Japanese or otherwise. These tricks give you the power of life or death. The method of instruction allows them to be practised as an interesting pastime, and with absolute safety. (38 photographs)This is a quite extraordinary document: a rigorous, beautifully illustrated military training course that remains as accessible and engaging today as when it was first published over a century ago.
