Page:Japanese Physical Training (Hancock).djvu/202

 142 as possible. At first the feat is not an easy one, but, as in all other endeavours, practice makes perfect. After a few weeks, during which a part of each day's work is spent along these lines, the student finds that he has made surprising progress.

Following this, as soon as he has made fair progress, the young Japanese is taught to fall upon his left side, instantly rising with all the speed and skill of which he is capable—and the ability to do this grows with each repeated attempt. The task is performed by throwing himself over to the left in such manner that he finds himself with both knees on the floor as levers, and with his arms stretched out before him to aid in the upward spring. As he makes the spring he swings his body around at the same time, in order that he may face his opponent. The fall on the right side is accomplished in the same manner, except that the student turns rapidly over to the right.

It must be borne in mind at all times that the one who is rising must do it in the way that will least expose himself to the assault of his antagonist. He who is rising may often save