Title: Getting a Grip: Judo in the Nikkei Communities of the Pacific Northwest, 1900-1950
Author: Joseph R. Svinth
Publisher: Electronic Journals of Martial Arts and Sciences (EJMAS)
Publication Date: 2003
Format: Paperback
Pages: 300, 5.5 in x 8.5 in
Cover Price: $24.95
ISBN: 0968967302
Content
Joseph R. Svinth is editor of the Electronic Journals of Martial Arts and Sciences, a publication he started in 1999. He served in both the United States Marine Corps and Army National Guard. He earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Western Washington University, and a master’s degree in history from the University of Washington. He wrote his book Getting a Grip in the fine academic style that readers of his EJMAS research will recognize. It is well-researched, well-sourced, and comprehensive. The book is a study of the introduction and integration of judo into the Pacific Northwest, with some late 19th century judo history included for reference.
The focus is the Seattle Dojo, described by Mr. Svinth on page 26 as “the oldest active Kodokan dojo club in the United States, as Honolulu’s Shunyokan Dojo dates its establishment to March 17, 1909, while the Los Angeles Dojo dates to early 1910.” After explaining the creation of that school, Svinth expands to other schools in the area.
Pros
There are only a few of these sorts of “local histories” of judo, and I’ve been a fan of Mr. Svinth’s work for years. His book does not disappoint. If you’re a judoka or jiu-jitsu practitioner in the Pacific Northwest, the mention of familiar place-names will bring a smile to your face. (I am not from that region, but I have friends who practice Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu there.) I also recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn how to write a proper source-based history of a martial art in a selected region. Mr. Svinth did not simply ask a few dojo sensei for their memories of “the good old days.” Rather, he relied on as much documentation he could find, and integrated interviews as appropriate.
Examples of some of his excellent research results include the following:
Dr. Edwin Baelz, a German physician living in Japan, met an elderly Yoshin-ryu jujutsu teacher named Hikosuke Totsuka. Professor Kano’s judo students engaged in a contest with Totsuka’s jujutsu students in 1882. Baelz wrote that “For of all the young men who had been working at it [jujutsu] in Tokyo, not one, not even Kano, could cope with the police officers who had been trained by Totsuka in Chiba.” Svinth writes on pages 6 and 7 that “This defeat, which is inevitably glossed over in Kodokan histories, probably took place in 1882, as in 1883 a Kodokan team defeated another Yoshin-ryu jujutsu team led by Totsuka’s son Eimi.”
On page 17, Svinth mentions a rumor I’ve heard: “Some people have even claimed that Kano was secretly poisoned by Japanese militarists. Disregarding the fact that Japanese assassins preferred more direct methods of dispatching their opponents, the accounts of fellow travelers suggest that Kano’s death was pneumonia, just as the death certificate said.”
On page 40, Svinth writes: “On Saturday, October 17, 1903, Yamashita and Kawaguchi gave a [private] judo exhibition at the Seattle Theatre… So far as I know, this was the first time Kodokan Judo was shown to a non-Japanese audience in North America. Since journalist H. Irving Hancock had begun studying jujutsu in New York City as early as 1896, this statement refers solely to Kodokan judo.”
Finally, the book is backed with a thorough bibliography, which has helped guide some of my research.
Cons
I have no concerns with this book, other than the fact that it is out of print! Your best bet to obtain a copy is to contact your library and request an inter-library loan. Alternatively, you may be able to buy a copy from the author, as I did.
Conclusion
I give this book 5 out of 5 ninja stars.
I enjoyed reading Getting a Grip. I love it when authors demolish myths. For example, on pages 25-26, Mr. Svinth writes that on March 10, 1907, “a full-page description of the Seattle Dojo appear[ed] in the Seattle Times. The judo club was located at 622 Maynard Street. It was apparently organized sometime in 1904, most likely by Iitaro Kono (or Kano), a Kodokan 2-dan who arrived in Seattle on May 20, 1903… On July 10, 1907, Tokogoro Ito, 3-dan, arrive[d] in Seattle. Often attributed with establishing the Seattle Dojo, Ito is more accurately described as the man who popularized the Seattle Dojo.” These and other notes in the text show that Mr. Svinth pays attention to details, generating trust in the reader. If you’re considering writing a book on the history of an art in your area, I recommend getting a grip on this book and using it as a template!
Note: I would like to thank Mr. Svinth for responding to my email, and for help with related research.
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1-12-24’, Dear Mr Bejtlich: I’m on the hunt for Joseph Svinths’ book.when this popped up. I’m told my Grandfather Shireo Sato was from a Samurai family, in his youth he was trained in many martial arts? Then came to US in late 1890’s as first generation Issei Japanese. I’m 3rd generation of 6 or 7 US generations. Told my Grandfather was mentioned in the book “Getting a Grip” & he helped, & performed exhibitions at the Portlands World Fair. I’d heard this before, but just told again yesterday by my 88 yr old uncle that I’m 24/7 caring for. My uncle said he actually talked to MR Svinth & he thinks a copy of this book might be in his home in Hood River OR. Unbeknownst to him, but we tossed most out last year before renting his home, since he’s been living in Sacramento CA. with me the last 5 years. If you have a copy of this book, is there anyway you could text me a photo of the page/& photo that might accompany the mention of “Shirio Sato”. I’m not techie, so pdf files bad news for me.. Simple cell photo of the info & send via text or email, I’d be so grateful. I’m trying to learn more & document some family history. Other is Hung Far Low Resturant in Portland & the Chinese side.