A French 'Samurai'

[admin]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jules_Brunet

This is the man who Tom Cruise's character is largely based on in 'The Last Samurai'. Contrary to what Hollywood would have you believe, the majority of Western involvement in Japan during the period of Westernisation and civil war with the samurai was French. The British also had some limited involvement, but the USA had very little. Incidentally, this also explains why Japanese military uniforms and even swords were largely modelled on French patterns of the time (American uniforms and swords were also largely modelled on French patterns).

[admin]

For anybody interested, this is the war roughly portrayed in the film mentioned above:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satsuma_Rebellion

[Phil C]

"The Fighting Man of Japan: The Training and Exercises of the Samurai" by FJ Norman shows an Englishman's view of Japanese martial culture at the turn of the C20th and give some insight into the military structure of the era.

He considers it superior to western fighting- but mainly becuase it still includes wrestling and in-fighting.

It can be read online here-
http://openlibrary.org/books/OL13488385 ... n_of_Japan

[admin]

Great source!

[Phil C]

An interesting aside is that the JiuJitsu school advertised in that online edition is run by the instructor originally brought over by Barton-Wright, Tani

[admin]

Although fencing is a military exercise, it is so commonly practised by the Japanese 'yaconinierie,' or 'soldiery,' who comprise a large portion of the population, and is entered into by them in so spirited a manner, that it deserves to be classed as an amusement.

The woodcut is a very faithful representation of yaconins fencing. The masks cover the whole of the head; and the arms, breast, and hips, are protected by cuirass, petticoat, &c. of leather ribbed with bamboo.

The fencing-sticks are of the same length as the 'obi-todee-auf-catana,' or 'great fighting-sword.' They are made of split canes, bound tightly together, and are used with both handa

The Japanese fence well, and deliver their points with great precision, especially an awkward downward thrust at the breast.

They deliver their cuts and points with - fierce guttural exclamations, which are peculiarly disagreeable to European ears; especially when the listener is located in the vicinity of a guard-house, whose occupants notify their employment at daybreak with such cries as ' Hie-e! Ah-h! Atturah-h l" ('That'sat! that's into you!') and continue this information, accompanied by the clashing of their sticks, and occasional chuckles, until late in the afternoon.

From: Sketches of Japanese manners and customs, by Jacob Mortimer Wier Silver, 1867.

[Jonathan Waller]

Thanks for posting, very interesting.
JW

[Joolz]

Excellent links, very interesting. The French seem to have been a big influence on Japanese military training - bayonet fencing (jukendo) for instance, is supposed to originate from French bayonet training.

Joolz

[Jonathan Waller]

I understand that elements from Yari and Jo were from certain Ryu, though right now I can't remember which were also influential.

[admin]

Here is a page showing an impression of kendo, from the 1864 Illustrated London News:

[admin]

Although from 1932, readers of this thread might find this video interesting:
http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=28870

[Mark Shaw]

Thanks for posting that pic!
Interesting how short the hakamas (pants) in the illustration are. In present day Kendo we wear them so long that tripping up over the hem is a real danger.
Another difference is their chest protectors use small plates; they may be proper armor pieces rather than todays leather and bamboo replacement.

[Mark Shaw]

Thanks for the vid too Matt, very interesting.

[Ronin]

Fascinating Topic....Love it......

[J Marwood]

Thanks for posting that pic!
Interesting how short the hakamas (pants) in the illustration are. In present day Kendo we wear them so long that tripping up over the hem is a real danger.
Another difference is their chest protectors use small plates; they may be proper armor pieces rather than todays leather and bamboo replacement.

Early Judoka also wore short dogi, although the one worn by B-Ws Jui-Jitsu Instructor seems normal to me.