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George B. Cortelyou asks whether John J. O’Brien will be in Washington, D.C., this spring, as President Roosevelt is interested in taking some lessons.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-03-03
William Loeb informs Professor O’Brien that President Roosevelt is too busy to finish the jiu-jitsu lessons. Loeb will return the mats.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-06-05
President Roosevelt will meet with Bay to discuss the photos and is having a great time with John O’Brien, but his system is difficult to learn.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-03-19
John J. O’Brien discusses the fees for Theodore Roosevelt’s jiu jitsu instructions.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-05-10
President Roosevelt’s past jiu jitsu instructor, John J. O’Brien, wants to know if the President “is taking instruction from any Japs.” O’Brien is concerned that the Japanese may get his jui jitsu photographs and take credit for his innovations. He is also disgruntled about the lack of communication regarding his employment and the use of the president’s name for advertising purposes.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03-19
President Roosevelt’s jiu-jitsu instructor asks that his photos of jiu-jitsu positions not be made available to the Japanese. He also requests a letter from Roosevelt endorsing his system and encloses an account of an encounter he had with “two thugs.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03-14
Promotion for John J. O’Brien’s jiu-jitsu teaching services.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902
Business card of John J. O’Brien, teacher of Jiu-Jitsu.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902
John J. O’Brien would like to know if President Roosevelt would like further lessons or practice.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-01-08
William Sturgis Bigelow is preparing to leave for Japan and requests a letter of introduction to Ambassador Alfred E. Buck. He wants good relations with Buck because he is concerned that a young Japanese man, who he tried to get jailed for “swindling,” may seek revenge. Bigelow has met John J. O’Brien, President Roosevelt’s jiu-jitsu instructor, and is impressed with his ideas. He would have liked to see O’Brien tackle the late Lean F. Czolgosz.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-03-30
John J. O’Brien would be pleased to go to Washington, D.C., and teach President Roosevelt jiu-jitsu. He provides several references that can be contacted for information on the benefits of learning jiu-jitsu.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-03-10
John J. O’Brien would be pleased to instruct President Roosevelt in the “science of Jiu jitsu.” The full course of instruction is $100 for about eight weeks.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-06
William Sturgis Bigelow provides the name and address of John J. O’Brien, a teacher of jiu-jitsu. He provides a description of jiu-jitsu and encloses some photographs of the “grips and catches.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-01-03