AS SEEN THROUGH WOMAN’S EYES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXV, Issue 23, 9 December 1905, Page 60

AS SEEN THROUGH WOMAN’S EYES.

Physical Training,

A popular pursuit with officers' wives iu England is jiu-jitsu. This—the Japanese method of physical training—has been practised for 2500 years. It means "muscle-breaking,” and helps the weak to master the strong. Mr 11. Irving Hancock, who has made a complete study of the method in Japan, has just published a book dealing with the subject. He says the little Japanese women are the strongest and most cheerful members of their sex to be found anywhere on earth. Jiu-jitsu will make a weak woman stronger, and will make of any reasonably strong woman one who is the physical peer of any man of her own size. The day has gone by when women prized weakness as a dainty attribute of their sex. There is neither grace nor beauty in weakness. "It is chivalrous for a man to carry upstairs a scuttle of coals for his wife and daughter. It is splendid for him to give his wife and daughter such physical training that they will not in the least mind carrying up two scuttles full of coals themselves.” The science of jiu-jitsu points out the path for the new physical woman to pursue. In Japan there are to-day six different systems of jiu-jitsu in vogue. The underlying principles are the same in each. In feudal Japan knowledge of the science was imparted only to the "samurai,” and only under the strongest oaths of secrecy. The samurai were the men—ami women —of the privileged military class. The men did the fighting, but the women, who were to rear the sons of the next generation, were required to understand all the principles of jiu-jitsu. When the present Emperor came to the throne he abolished all feudal rights and customs. Japanese who are descended from the samurai are proud of their blood, but have now no status as a class. Jiujitsu is taught now to any subject who desires to learn it. It is a highly scientific system of rapid and convincing attack and defence. One of the most important principles is that ot mastering one step thoroughly before the next is undertaken. Two women do the exercises together, one being called the assailant, and the other the victim. When practising without spectators they wear merely a combination bathing suit and stockings; very lowheeled shoes can be worn if desired. The muscles are strengthened by the process of resistance. Whenever a muscle to be hardened, the trick is accomplished by using some other muscle resistantly against it. The assailant pushes or twists parts of the victim’s body, while the victim resists. Moderation is always observed. Palpitation of the heart and panting are safe indications of over-zeal. Either of these symptoms proves that the student should stop work, rest, and breathe deeply. Especial heed is given to the training of all of the muscles that lie between

the thigh and the breast. Within this compass, all the organs are located, and the well-devised plan of the Japanese aims at the development of the organs. Resistant neck exercises strengthen the eords of the neck—a most important point at which to possess strength. It is also important that a woman should be strong and supple in the small of her back. There are many resistant exercises for developing the muscles there situated. To prove the possession of strength, a woman must have splendidly developed wrists. The Japanese value most the muscles that are strong between the base of the hand and the bend of the elbow. Swelling muscles in the upper arm do not count for much with them.

The student of jiu-jitsu is taught always to think out for herself all of the variations of an exercise that are possible. Here the Japanese methods resemble those of Sweden, where mental development goes hand in hand with physical.

Resistant ankle work, done by two women sitting on the floor, takes away flesh from the waist line. If taken by girls and young women, the exercise keeps flesh from accumulating there.

Both assailant and victim secure sup port from their hands, which rest on the floor. The assailant pushes her vic tun’s leg around to the right by putting the flat of her own right foot against

the inside ankle bone of the victim’s right foot, the victim resisting all the while. Then the left foot of each con testant is employed in the same way. After that victim and assailant change places. This exercise, like all the others, must be persevered in daily to be of any use, but not for long at a time. Four ankle struggles are quite enough at first, one for each ankle of the two women.

The exercises must always be done on both sides, as there is such a tendency among Europeans to develop the strength of the right side of the body, at the expense of the left. Most Japanese women satisfy the artist’s ideal, as well as the surgeon’s of what a woman should be in regard to contour. Flo bumpiness of the figure appears. It is nearly as important to have strong ankles as strong wrists. To discover if your ankles are sufficiently strong, twist either foot outward as far as it will gq. Hold the foot as rigidly as possible. Then feel the muscles of the ankle. While in the same position you may feel the muscles in the' calf of the leg. Then, standing up, make the muscles of the upper leg tense and feel them. The pole is the only bit of apparatus that is to be found in a jiu-jitsu school. It is of bamboo, but a curtain pole or a broomstick will do just as well. It must be about five feet long. The pole exercises benefit the whole body, but especially the chest. If the back exercises are faithfully followed, backache will disappear. Japanese women never suffer in their backs, or realise that they have them. When the late General Lawton was informed by an American surgeon that he showed serious indications ot liver trouble, he replied: “Really, you astound me. I have never felt any discomfort there. In fact, I am not at all sure that I know in just what part of my body my liver is situated.” Which is, after all, only Christian science in another form. The practice of deep breathing is always observed during and in between all the exercises. Every one

who has watched a day labourer swinging the pick has noted the “ugh” with which he lets his implement strike the earth. This is due to his instinctive knowledge of the necessity for breath. Japanese athletes, when exercising, give vent to the same grunts, which might be called gasps. It is by this method that fresh air is carried deeply into the body. Breathing properly is more important than eating properly. The oiled paper window panes in Japan do not keep out fresh air, as glass panes do. If a Japanese woman feels cold, she

puts on more clothing—she does not close the window. Every morning she goes out of doors and takes in great breaths. Consumption is a rare disease in Japan. The woman who expects to become a mother will find that deep, full breathing of pure air will have an inestimable effect upon her child. The child will start in life with lungs vastly bettered; the heart action will be more regular. The mother’s lungs and heart will also be benefited. Every practice bout is followed by a bath, which removes all the impurities of the body that the work has brought to the skin.

Food must not be taken for an hour after, but cold water is drunk before and after the bout. No greater crime against health can be committed than to refuse a child water whenever it asks for it. The Japanese have a great contempt for the corset. They say it constricts the upper portion of the body, and that any tendency to fleshiness must find its opportunity along the lines of least resistance. This opportunity is found in the abdomen, and so the socalled “straight-front corset” becomes a necessity. In the small of the back, where there is no tendency to accumulate flesh, and where there is little support to be had from the eorset, the muscles become weak, flabby—often almost useless. The apostles of jiu-jitsu always preach against the use of the corset —unknown to the Greeks and Japanese ancient and modern types of the ideal figure. When the over-stout woman goes in for jiu-jitsu she is taught to convert the

surplus flesh into muscle. The overslender woman has to make herself stoutthrough diet and then reduce her surplus flesh to muscle. Some stout women. especially in this climate, which iso relaxing, might think the remedy as prescribed by the Japanese worse than the disease. Breakfast is to consist of boiled rice. Luncheon omitted. Supper of coarse barley well boiled. If luncheon is found to be necessary it should consist of a pint of milk sipped slowly. The

stout woman must never sleep more than six hours out of 24. The more she has the desire to stay in bed, the greater must be her determination to get up. This treatment will, it is said, make a stout woman slender. It ought to. Outdoor exercise is encouraged for all women. Walking is praised. If a woman cannot walk five miles with out fatigue, she is not healthy. Shoes must fit, and must not be high-heeled. Japanese shoes have high heels, but they also have toe pieces equally high. Thus, the foot is left flat. Rowing, unknown in Japan except amongst sailors, is a

splendid exercise, as the muscles are resisted by a pressure in the opposite direction. Each puller must use two oars, never one only. Golf is good, as it makes one walk, and requires bending of the body, and demands much arm work. The arm should perform a complete revolution in every ease' where it is practicable. Tennis is also a sport to be followed. Skipping-rope exercise is good, but to be done with caution.

Sleep is to be taken regularly. Insomnia is rare in Japan. If it exists, the insomniac is advised to sit up until an hour later than usual. The best hours for sleep are between 9 p.m. and (> a.m.

Social duties are not neglected in Japan. The necessity for recreation is always kept in mind. Even the poorest woman, who has toiled all day, goes to the bath at night. She cleanses herself, dresses for the evening, and after supper goes out to meet her friends. When two Japanese women meet, compliments are exchanged, and each bows in turn. In itself this deep bowing is not a bad form of physical training. As an average meeting with a friend calls for anywhere from 12 to 20 bowings, and as any Japanese woman who goes out for an evening’s walk is certain to meet several friends, it can be understood how much exercise the national habit of paying compliments, and of bowing in acknowledgment of each one, has to do with the Japanese physique.