Page:Japanese Physical Training (Hancock).djvu/198

 138 five feet away from him stands another student—watchful, alert, cat-like, for the spring. At his own pleasure the man with the pole lowers it swiftly so that it rests against his legs. His opponent, at the first realisation of the pole's descending, must leap forward and seize it before it has touched the other's legs. At first, success in this work is impossible, or nearly so, but after weeks of occasional practice at this work it is an even toss-up as to which will win.

By way of variation, the pole is raised instead of being lowered, but the principle upon which victory is based is the same. Then the pole is raised or lowered at either side in the same fashion. Next the student who holds the pole lifts it over his head with one hand, and, at his pleasure, brings it down so that the further end strikes the floor. When this is done the student who is to catch the pole stands at the side of his companion, as alert as ever, and is expected to catch the pole before the floor is touched. This is followed by struggles in which the young men take equal holds, either double-handed or single-handed, and contest