A British self-defence sport blending boxing, savate kicking, jujitsu grappling, and walking-stick combat into one curriculum.
Origin and rules
Bartitsu was founded in 1898 by British engineer Edward William Barton-Wright after he studied jujitsu in Japan and trained in European boxing and savate. The system was famously practised by Sherlock Holmes in Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories.
How it plays
Modern bartitsu revival events focus on three pillars. Cane fighting uses the gentleman’s walking stick to thrust, parry, and disarm. Pugilism and savate combine fists and kicks. Jujitsu sets cover throws and joint locks. Bouts may be staged demonstrations or scored sparring.
Competition
The Bartitsu Society hosts annual schools and demonstration events in the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, and parts of continental Europe. Bartitsu is not a competitive sport at any major Games and is preserved as historical European martial arts.
Find more sports by letter
Bartitsu starts with B and ends with U. Browse other sports along the same letter.
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