“His Huge Opponent Became Helpless”: Jiu-jitsu in the American Press, 1900-1906

Authors

• Jeff Shaw, Western Washington UniversityFollow
• Besty O’Donovan, Western Washington UniversityFollow

Abstract

Jiu-jitsu came to America at the turn of the 20th century, just as the Russo-Japanese war was focusingworld interest on Japanese culture and martial training. An analysis of more than 2,400 articles andillustrations about the art from American newspapers during jiu-jitsu’s first years in the United States demonstrates the ways media framed jiu-jitsu in militaristic, political, racial, and gendered terms for an enthusiastic and curious public.

Recommended Citation

Shaw, Jeff, and Besty O’Donovan. "“His Huge Opponent Became Helpless”: Jiu-jitsu in the American Press, 1900-1906." Journal of 20th Century Media History 4, 1 (2026): 74-94. doi:10.33470/2997-2523.1061.