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Martial Arts History, Wing Chun and Chinese Martial Studies.

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Chinese Martial Studies

Lives of Chinese Martial Artists (9): Woman Ding Number Seven: Founder of the Fujian Yongchun Boxing Tradition

Introduction: Gender and the History of the Chinese Martial Arts Women are a challenging subject in Chinese martial studies.  One the one hand traditions about female boxers, nuns, bandits and heroes abound in the folklore of the “Rivers and Lakes.” ... Continue Reading →

Folklore in the Southern Chinese Martial Arts: A Means to Create Economic “Value” or to Construct Social “Values?”

I found that I could not analyze ritual symbols without studying them in a time series in relation to other “events,” for symbols are essentially involved in social process.  I came to see performance of ritual as distinct phases in... Continue Reading →

Leveraging Open Courseware in Chinese Martial Studies

Introduction: Technology, Disruption and Education The current renaissance in the academic study of the martial could not have come at a better time.  In fact, it is probably a powerful confluence of forces, both theoretical, political and technological that are... Continue Reading →

Through a Lens Darkly (16): Capturing the Chinese Martial Arts Before the Camera, 1750-1850.

Introduction One of the most important, though often overlooked, events of the late 18th and early 19th centuries was the creation and growth of the "Canton Trade System."  This highly regulated trade, carried out between Chinese and European merchants in... Continue Reading →

Martial Arts and Community Violence: A Comparative Approach.

Introduction  Earlier this week an unexpected story started to make the rounds of various internet news outlets.  Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao of Timor Leste (East Timor) issued a proclamation banning the practice of Pencak Silat, an indigenous martial art that... Continue Reading →

Cantonese Popular Culture and the Creation of Wing Chun’s “Opera Rebels.”

Introduction In September of 1850 a Major in the Imperial Army stationed in Guangdong took his own life.  Records indicate that he was older and struggling with a chronic illness.  Given the state of medicine in the middle of the... Continue Reading →

Chinese Martial Arts in the News: September 19, 2013: Kung Fu Films, New Martial Arts Books and Wushu in Schools

Introduction I am happy to say that I have returned from my three week research/training trip.  In my absence Kung Fu Tea hosted the "2013 Symposium on Chinese Martial Studies."  We had a number of distinguished scholars and guests drop... Continue Reading →

Martial Arts: So What? By Adam D. Frank

***It turns out that the introduction to the last post was a little premature.  We are very fortunate to have received another post for the 2013 Web Symposium on Chinese Martial Studies.  Adam D. Frank is an Associate Professor in the... Continue Reading →

From the Archives: David Palmer on writing better martial arts history and understanding the sources of “Qi Cultivation” in modern Chinese popular culture.

Qigong Fever. by David Palmer. Columbia University Press, 2007.  ****I would like to thank to all of the individuals who participated in the 2013 Kung Fu Tea Web Symposium on Chinese Martial Studies.  A special thanks is also in order... Continue Reading →

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