“Baritsu” fight scene in Italy

A theatrical baritsu demonstration by participants in a recent stunt fighting workshop with Ran Braun in Reggio Emilia, Italy.

May 14th is Worldwide Undershaw Preservation Day

“I have some knowledge, however, of baritsu …”

- Sherlock Holmes on his defeat of Professor Moriarty at Reichenbach Falls

While the real martial art of Bartitsu was almost completely forgotten throughout the 20th century, this immortal line penned by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle provided the vital clue that led to its modern revival.

The Undershaw Preservation Trust has designated May 14th as Worldwide Undershaw Preservation Day. Supporters of the plan to save and restore Doyle’s former residence, where he wrote The Return of Sherlock Holmes and the lines about Holmes’ use of “baritsu” against Moriarty, are encouraged to wear something Sherlockian on that day and to help promote the preservation project.

All details, including video, historical images, essays and messages of support are available at the Preservation Trust’s website.

Theatrical “baritsu” from Russia

A fun display of theatrical baritsu from Sergey Mishenev, the “Russian Jackie Chan”. Sergey is also a keen promoter of Bartitsu as a martial art, having written articles, hosted seminars and performed lecture/demonstrations over the past several years.

“Bartitsu: The Lost Martial Art of Sherlock Holmes”

Announcing the long-awaited DVD release of the first feature documentary on Bartitsu, the “gentlemanly art of self defence”!

At the end of the Victorian era, E.W. Barton-Wright founded Bartitsu as a pioneering “mixed martial art” combining jiujitsu, kickboxing and self defence with a walking stick. It was also the means by which Sherlock Holmes was said to have defeated his arch-nemesis, the evil Professor Moriarty, in their famous battle at Reichenbach Waterfall.

This groundbreaking documentary was shot on location in Italy, Switzerland, England and the USA. Through numerous interviews, animations, re-enactment sequences, rare archival film footage and historical images, it explores the history, rediscovery and modern revival of Bartitsu.

Please visit the Freelance Academy Press website to view a new preview trailer and photo gallery, read an article about Bartitsu and the documentary production, and to place your DVD order!

Baritsu in “Art of Deduction: Inside the Mind of Sherlock Holmes”

A stylised baritsu fight sequence performed by teen and college-age actors in the play Art of Deduction, which recently featured at the Weathervane Playhouse in Akron, Ohio. Director John Davis also choreographed the fight scenes.

Steampunk/Bartitsu

Steampunk applies post-modern artistic imagination to 19th century culture and technology. There is an undeniable affinity between Steampunk and neo-Bartitsu, which is likewise inspired by (and experiments with) Victorian-era aesthetics and resources; both can be appreciated as aspects of the neo-Victorian movement.

Over the past several years there have been numerous Bartitsu classes and demonstrations at science fiction/Steampunk gatherings including V-Con, SteamCon III, the World Steam Expo, StarFest, the Steam Century Mystery weekend and the San Francisco Edwardian Ball. The upcoming CombatCon event in Las Vegas will feature the interplay between 19th century “antagonistics” and Steampunk fiction as one of its major themes.

John Reppion’s article, Baritsu, Bartitsu and the Jujitsuffragettes was featured in issue #6 of Steampunk Magazine, while Nick Mamatas’ Bartitsu: the Martial Art for the Steampunk Set appeared in Clarkesworld Magazine. The Scatha Combat Guild’s forthcoming Steampunk Self Defence Manual promises to offer a light-hearted take on Bartitsu and other Victorian-era antagonistics.

In addition to providing music for the upcoming documentary Bartitsu: The Lost Martial Art of Sherlock Holmes, top Steampunk band Abney Park has produced the song Victorian Vigilante, whose protagonist “brings his baritsu” to the task of taking down his supernatural prey.

Finally, the Steam Fu discussion forum at Steampunk Empire frequently cites Bartitsu, and likewise, Steampunk (as it is related to martial arts) is a frequent topic on the Bartitsu Forum.

First glimpse of baritsu action from “Sherlock Holmes 2″

Courtesy of Entertainment Tonight, this clip from Sherlock Holmes 2 features some quick shots of a fight sequence in which Holmes (Robert Downey, Jr.) displays his baritsu skills against a group of rifle-bayonet wielding enemies.

Dr. Watson (Jude Law) is shown here exerting some gentlemanly fisticuffs:

The as-yet-untitled movie is due for release in mid-December of 2011.

“Victorian Vigilante”

A fan-made video clip for the Abney Park song “Victorian Vigilante”, from their End of Days album , using footage from the recent BBC Sherlock series.

Victorian Vigilante

lyrics by “Captain” Robert Brown

Each night as I go walking
I hear the dead men talking
They tell me of all your misdeeds
Lead me to all your leads

Each night as I go walking underneath the lamplight
I bring my baritsu and I’m ready for a fight.
My boots are shining brown
And my cane’s of oak.
I’ll Unleash some hurting on you,
Justice I’ll invoke!

‘Cause I’m a Victorian vigilante,
Bring some justice on your head.
From the palace to the riverside,
For your troubles you’ll get led.

A Victorian vigilante,
Bring some justice on your head
From the palace to the riverside,
For your troubles you’ll be dead.

Cut Scene: your victims dethroned!
Dripping ice hook on crimson cobblestones.
Wipe your hands on the dead man’s greatcoat
And dive into the sewer’s black moat.

All your steps have led me to this spot.
You hide your tracks but there’s one that you forgot.
Drag your dripping coat out of the water black
But I stand waiting, and I’m on the attack!

‘Cause I’m a Victorian vigilante,
Bring some justice on your head
From the palace to the riverside,
For your troubles you’ll get led

A Victorian vigilante,
Bring some justice on your head
From the palace to the riverside,
For your troubles you’ll be dead.

Pacing slowly round each other in the rain
Our eyes are locked as you unsheathe your sword cane.
We know each other, although we’ve never met.
An ice cold game you won’t soon forget.

You swing and thrust, I wrap you in my coat.
I’m suddenly behind you, and my blade is at your throat!
You kick and swing your fists and blade and shoe,
But all your twitching and pulling has cut your neck in two.

‘Cause I’m a Victorian vigilante,
Bring some justice on your head
From the palace to the riverside
For your troubles you’ll get led

A Victorian vigilante,
Bring some justice on your head
From the palace to the riverside,
For your troubles you’ll be dead

“Ba-ritsu: a tutorial”

Guy Ritchie, Robert Downey, Jr. and others discuss their interpretation of the martial arts of Sherlock Holmes for their hit 2009 motion picture. See also our interview with Sherlock Holmes fight choreographer Richard Ryan, which goes into further detail regarding cinematic “baritsu”.

Save Undershaw!

Save Undershaw from WetherbyPond on Vimeo.

Built in 1897, Undershaw was the residence of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and his family at the time Doyle wrote several of his best and most famous works, including The Adventure of the Empty House, in which Sherlock Holmes defeats Professor Moriarty through the use of “baritsu”.

Sadly neglected now, this historic building is threatened by re-development. The Save Undershaw Preservation Trust is working to restore the home as a museum. All details, including extensive historical information, photo galleries and the preservation project are available at the Save Undershaw website.