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Kung Fu Tea

Martial Arts History, Wing Chun and Chinese Martial Studies.

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Chinese Martial Arts

Bruce Lee, Globalization and the Case of Wing Chun: Why do Some Chinese Martial Arts Grow?

Introduction: Wing Chun and the Haters You do not have to be involved with the Chinese martial arts for very long to discover that Wing Chun has the potential to be a highly polarizing topic of conversation.  Those within in... Continue Reading →

Through a Lens Darkly (8): Butterfly Swords, Dadaos and the Local Militias of Guangdong, 1840 vs. 1940.

Introduction:  The Butterfly Swords and Southern Martial Arts Defend the Nation I recently ran across two photographs that I think students of the southern Chinese martial arts may find very enlightening.  They speak to interesting tactical and cultural questions.  On... Continue Reading →

What Can the Opera Rebellion Teach us about the Social Toleration of Violence (and the Martial Arts) in Late Imperial China?

The Logic of Violence and its Relationship with the State My academic background and doctorate is in political science where I specialize in a sub-field called “international political economy.”  That is where I have focused most of my teaching and... Continue Reading →

Collecting Chinese Swords and other Weapons in late 19th Century Xiamen (Amoy)

  Introduction: Xiamen and the Chinese Martial Arts Marketplace I am interested in the martial arts history of Fujian province.  Many areas of China can rightly claim an illustrious past when it comes to producing famous boxers, military officers or... Continue Reading →

The Book Club: Chinese Martial Arts by Peter Lorge, Chapters 6-8 (Song-Ming): The first emergence of the traditional Chinese Martial Arts.

Introduction The “Book Club” is a semi-regular series of posts where we collectively read and review some of the most important works in the field of Chinese martial studies.  My intent is to reproduce the same sort of seminar atmosphere... Continue Reading →

Lives of Chinese Martial Artists (5): Lau Bun—A Kung Fu Pioneer in America.

Introduction: Choy Li Fut’s place in southern Chinese martial culture. Let me ask you a question.  What was the largest and most socially important martial art in Guangdong during the late 19th and early 20th century?  What was the first... Continue Reading →

Chinese Martial Arts in the News, February 13, 2013: The UFC fights for market access, Ip Man lets his inner song take flight and understanding “The Black Kung Fu Experience.”

"Chinese Martial Arts in the News" is a monthly round-up of news stories that either feature or somehow impact traditional Chinese hand combat.  If you know about a developing news story that should be covered feel free to drop me... Continue Reading →

Qilin Dancing During the Lunar New Year and Southern Chinese Martial Culture.

Introduction: What is a Qilin and why do they dance? Let me start off by wishing everyone a happy New Year!  The Lunar New Year is the longest and most important festival in the traditional Chinese calendar.  Individuals celebrate it... Continue Reading →

Ritual, Tradition and Memory in Singapore’s Chinese Martial Arts Community.

  Introduction: Chinese Martial Studies, Embodied Knowledge and Identity. In 2011 SUNY (State University of New York) Press released a collected volume (edited by D. S. Farrer and John Whalen-Bridge) titled Martial Arts as Embodied Knowledge: Asian Traditions in a... Continue Reading →

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