Page:Japanese Physical Training (Hancock).djvu/212

 152 frequent bathing, the free use of water, regular rest, a proper amount of recreation, and a sufficient amount of muscular exercise—all of these are essential to him who would reap the benefits of the system of physical training that has made the Japanese, after twenty-five hundred years, the strongest, most enduring, and happiest people on earth.

Before paying much attention to the tricks of combat the American student of the art should, after observing the first requirements of bodily health, practise long and assiduously at the resistant and other exercises that harden the muscles and bones. Too much time cannot be spent in this manner. The fighting tricks of jiu-jitsu, if attempted by those who have not yet taken the trouble to toughen the muscles and harden the bones, are certain to result in lameness—perhaps severe strain. While the preliminary work of toughening and hardening is going on, some of the simpler tricks of combat described may be attempted, always provided that no strain results. By degrees the American student will find that he is able to stand more and more severe work, and