Hand-To-Hand Combat at "The Infantry School" |
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In 1920, the Stahara Publishing Company of Columbus, GA, released a book titled, The Secrets of JuJitsu, a Complete Course in Self Defense. This complete course was published in seven books, each authored by Captain Allen Smith. Capt. Smith was an instructor of hand-to-hand combat at The Infantry School of camp Benning, GA, and at the "United States Training Corp and Cantonments, 1917 and 1918". He was awarded his Black Belt at "the Kodokwan (Central JuJitsu College), Tokyo, Japan, January 9, 1916". While the book did not present the Complete Course as a Black Belt program, the material was quite extensive. Examples of some of the lessons included wrist escapes, various strikes with hands and feet, takedowns, various bear hug escapes, strangulation techniques, weapon defenses, joint techniques, kick defenses, "how to rescue a friend who is held up", choke escapes, hair pull defenses, how "To March A Prisoner With One Hand", wrestling hold defenses, arresting techniques (including "The Funny Bone Come-Along"), how "To Eject A Troublesome Visitor", "The Secret Japanese Death Lock", and the "Scissors Death Lock On A Man Who Is Crawling Ahead Of You". There are additionally sections on the Stahara, defined as the "Abdominal Region. It includes the Diaphragm, the Abdominal Muscles, the Solar Plexus and the Center of Gravity". Capt. Smith goes on to state that the course will not simply teach one to understand the Stahara, "but to act on it instinctively". He states that one's strength can be used "better", and will increase physical power, give one greater mental control, "and will give you a stronger personality". |
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The techniques themselves are typical of those found in the classical JuJutsu ryus. Some techniques utilize principles found in the U.S.T.J.F.s Taiho-Jutsu and Combative Measures programs, particularly when the defender uses taisabaki, other do not. "This course has taught the simplest and most effective ways of dealing with an armed and unarmed aggressor, whose intentions are to kill, maim, or rob. In addition, it has taught many tricks by which you may take a prisoner, or disarm an enemy without going the length of injuring or killing". While I have not been able to locate the volume, the end of the book speaks about the scope of the next course, which it states will teach throws, "by means of which a little woman can learn to lift and throw a heavy man", "trips (there are seven different trips)", and groundwork. Finally, the book ends with the following VALEDICTION: "Student of this course, whosoever ye may be, of whatever country, creed, or color, you are under an obligation to humanity at large, as well as to me, the humble medium that conveyed the knowledge, never to use the power you have acquired in a dishonest or dishonorable cause, or for a selfish purpose. Let these exercises train not only your bodies, but also your chivalrous instincts, your sense of honor". Capt. Smith continues on these lines, speaking of acting in the same honorable methods as the knights of old, again emphasizing behaving in exemplary ways. The work concludes with, "This is simply the application of the larger rule which has actuated all good men, patriots, soldiers, and citizens throughout the ages: 'Death before dishonor'. It isn't whether we win or lose, but how we play the game". |
