What type of martial art would suit him?

[tekande]

Hello.

What kind of martial art would suit a very flamboyant man from the Victorian era? He is always a gentleman, has a rather carefree attitude towards life, is very concerned with his looks and is always dressing nice no matter the situation (mostly because he doesn’t have anything else).

He has traveled all over the planet, and has picked up a lot of “strange” ideas from some of his favorite countries. At some point he found a lover in either China or Japan who taught him a martial art style, but he left said lover after few years, so he is far from an expert.

The question is, what kind of martial art would suit a character like that? At first I though about aikido because it would fit him perfectly, but then I found out that it was invented long after the Victorian era, so that wouldn’t do.

So basically I’m looking for something that was around doing the Victorian era, is of some use even if you’re not an expert, and would fit a character like this.

Thanks in advance.

[Tom Yum]

Hello.

What kind of martial art would suit a very flamboyant man from the Victorian era? He is always a gentleman, has a rather carefree attitude towards life, is very concerned with his looks and is always dressing nice no matter the situation (mostly because he doesn’t have anything else).

He has traveled all over the planet, and has picked up a lot of “strange” ideas from some of his favorite countries. At some point he found a lover in either China or Japan who taught him a martial art style, but he left said lover after few years, so he is far from an expert.

The question is, what kind of martial art would suit a character like that? At first I though about aikido because it would fit him perfectly, but then I found out that it was invented long after the Victorian era, so that wouldn’t do.

So basically I’m looking for something that was around doing the Victorian era, is of some use even if you’re not an expert, and would fit a character like this.

Thanks in advance.

The Victorian Era being the height of the British Industrial Revolution - 19th Century, but also studying from some bad ass martial arts chick from China or Japan?

Savate - flashy style from France around that time.
Boxing (Marquis de Queensbury) - the "gentlemanly" sport
Traditional Japanese Jujitsu - tied in with the Victorian age but with your idea of the Japanese chick.

[Tant01]

Fencing was all the rage back in the day...

The Manly Art of Quarter-Staff Origins of a Victorian Combat Sport by Tony Wolf from Alliance Martial Arts

This should get you started? He's a gentleman about town but deadly at the tricks and traps of dagger work?

Historical Fencing Manuals Online -- Swords & Swordsmanship

[Guest]

The Victorian Era being the height of the British Industrial Revolution - 19th Century, but also studying from some bad ass martial arts chick from China or Japan?

What's interesting Tom, is that tekande never said his lover was a chick.

If you go with the China route, given the description you gave of the character, I would say Wing Chun. Fast, efficient, and something he could deploy on someone with the minimum of effort, and interference with his impeccable appearance.

And also if the lover is indeed female, given the origin of the art, Wing Chun would add kudos to that storyline.

[Liberty]

Hello.

What kind of martial art would suit a very flamboyant man from the Victorian era? He is always a gentleman, has a rather carefree attitude towards life, is very concerned with his looks and is always dressing nice no matter the situation (mostly because he doesn’t have anything else).

He has traveled all over the planet, and has picked up a lot of “strange” ideas from some of his favorite countries. At some point he found a lover in either China or Japan who taught him a martial art style, but he left said lover after few years, so he is far from an expert.

The question is, what kind of martial art would suit a character like that? At first I though about aikido because it would fit him perfectly, but then I found out that it was invented long after the Victorian era, so that wouldn’t do.

So basically I’m looking for something that was around doing the Victorian era, is of some use even if you’re not an expert, and would fit a character like this.

Thanks in advance.

Though I believe he was a bit later, and apart from the Oriental lover thing, your man sounds like Frank Harris ("My Life and Loves"). I'd say Savate - at that time, France and things French were the rage - which would add to his allure, yet give him an art he could use, last minute, in the abscence of a foil. Also, on the surface, though devastating in the right hands (and feet), Savate appears slightly feminine - that quality has always appealed to the type of high society females a Frank Harris, Casanova type pursued back then. It would also have given "such a rake" the same kind of "soft" cover before other men the fabled Zorro hid his own identity behind, throwing them off. It's flashy footwork and stylishness would appeal to the guy himself...

[DickHardman]

british boxing was around at the time. do boxing, but dont compete in any matches. only light sparring so your pretty face doesnt get messed up. if thats too much for you, theres always cardio kickboxing.

[DickHardman]

you should make sure to pump irON also.

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQwVXuEKnNU[/YOUTUBE]

[Guest]

tekande seemed to offer a pretty clear brief:

"At some point he found a lover in either China or Japan who taught him a martial art style"

I really don't think there was an abundance of Boxing (Queensbury) gyms in China or Japan in Victorian times, and the notion of a foreign art such as Savate penetrating the culture of the Far East at that time period was more than likely unheard of.

And Dick, this person has come on to the forum looking for genuine help and advice. I really don't think you'd find Cardio Kickboxing and Free Weights in your local Chinese LA Fitness in the 19th Century, so don't waste their time.

[GQchris]

Hmmm... this guy sounds like a Dandy... you sure he wants Martial Arts? I mean there is always croquet and golf or tennis. It also sounds like he may be a little light in the loafers if you catch my drift..

[Tom Yum]

british boxing was around at the time. do boxing, but dont compete in any matches. only light sparring so your pretty face doesnt get messed up. if thats too much for you, theres always cardio kickboxing.

Turkish oil wrestling? lol - Dick, that was one you mentioned from a long time ago.

Well, atleast the dude dresses well and doesn't get teased for his bad sense of fashion...


I'm still wearing the same Budweiser shirt that I wore yesterday and get teased by my younger, more hip classmates who've got the fashion thing down.

[DickHardman]

hasnt weight lifting been around forever??? all those ancient greeks n stuff were all pretty buff, havent you noticed how low their body fat percentages are and how toned and built their bodies are on all those old statues around??? they obviously had ways of building their bodies up.

im sure that during the victorian era, there were plenty of people around the world who were exercising and doing some form of resistance training that induced muscle hypertrophy, they just didnt have the awesome marky mark music to listen to while they were lifting.

for that reason, i recommend bodybuilding as well, especially since he mentioned how important his looks are.

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQwVXuEKnNU[/YOUTUBE]

[GQchris]

biggest thing about this post is the obsession with "the Victorian era"... lol I don't think this is a person that would appreciate the fighting arts; maybe discussing metrosexual fashion but not fighting.

[Tom Yum]

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn243/sgt_mahoney/budweiser.jpg

What type of martial art would suit this guy with the Budweiser shirt and worn jeans?

[DickHardman]

Hippocrates explained the principle behind weight training when he wrote "that which is used develops, and that which is not used wastes away." Progressive resistance training dates back at least to Ancient Greece, when legend has it that wrestler Milo of Croton trained by carrying a newborn calf on his back every day until it was fully grown. Another Greek, the physician Galen, described strength training exercises using the halteres (an early form of dumbbell) in the 2nd century.

Another early device was the Indian club, which came from ancient Persia where it was called the "meels." It subsequently became popular during the 19th century, and has recently made a comeback in the form of the clubbell.

The dumbbell was joined by the barbell in the latter half of the 19th century. Early barbells had hollow globes that could be filled with sand or lead shot, but by the end of the century these were replaced by the plate-loading barbell commonly used today.[1]

[jubaji]

How 'bout Bartitsu?