Popular Culture Review 29.2
Jiu Jitsu , lacking rules and restraint , could never be�unless tamed considerably . Both Jiu Jitsu and Judo rely on the use of an opponent ’ s own force against him or her ( the Japanese art of Aikido does this as well , as does the Korean self-defense style of Hapkido ), and choking into submission . Judo employs no kicks or blows except at very advanced Atemi Waza levels , where for self-defense they are directed against vital points . Judo never employs Atemi Waza in tournaments .
An article by Joseph Svinth appeared in October of 2000 in the Journal of Combative Sport ( Svinth 2000 ). It was a “ slightly different version ” of a previous piece that Svinth had published in Akido Journal ( 25:2 ), in 1998 . Svinth describes how Yoshiaki ( or Yoshitsugu ) Yamashita studied at the Kodokan , advanced rapidly in rank , and sought to spread the art to the United States . His opportunity came when a Washington State tycoon , Sam Hill , invited him to come to America to teach . ( Hill was the founder of the Maryhill Museum of Art , in Washington State on the north bank of the Columbia River ; its collections are rich , as are its archives , which contain some of the relevant correspondence ). When Yamashita arrived in Seattle in 1903 , Hill arranged for him to give a private demonstration there . Svinth writes that this seems to have been the first demonstration of Kodokan Judo in the United States . For a number of reasons , including his own pacifism , Hill was no admirer of TR , but that is another story . 3
Yamashita then traveled east , and attracted TR ’ s attention . After studying with O ’ Brien , the president had worked out for six months with another Japanese Judoka , A . Kitagaki , and recognized Yamashita ’ s potential . Svinth writes that it had been reported that “ there were seven degrees in jiu-jitsu , and Roosevelt intended to have at least five of them ,” although TR ’ s main goal was weight reduction , rather than rank . It is
80