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vi It may seem strange that the presentation of this science—for such it may be aptly termed—should come through an American. But the author has approached his task with no hesitancy. Something more than seven years ago he began his course of instruction jiu-jitsu under Japanese friends in this country. Subsequently he studied in Nagasaki, under Inouye San, instructor of jiu-jitsu in the police department of that city. Still later the author took supplementary courses under native teachers in Yokohama and in Tokio. When Inouye San visited this country the author went once more under the tuition of that veteran, who is considered to be one of the best instructors in Japan.

There are in Japan, to-day, some six different systems of jiu-jitsu taught. In the main, the author has described the science as it is imparted by Inouye San, but some of the best work from the other schools has been included. The aim has been to give a perfect, composite whole of the essential principles of health and of the tricks of attack and defence that are needed by the perfect physical man or woman.

The reader will find much of interest in a