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Kung Fu Tea

Martial Arts History, Wing Chun and Chinese Martial Studies.

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globalization

Taoism in Bits

"Taoism in Bits." A guest post by Paul Bowman [1] ***Xīnnián hǎo.  We are fortunate to have a special guest post this week in honor of the Chinese New Year.  This essay, by Prof. Paul Bowman, will help us to... Continue Reading →

“Now With Kung Fu Grip”: Jared Miracle and the Reinvention of the Martial Arts in America

    Jared Miracle. 2016. Now with Kung Fu Grip! How Bodybuilders, Soldiers and a Hairdresser Reinvented Martial Arts for America. Jefferson, North Carolina:McFarland & Company. 185 pages. $29.95     Introduction   Now with Kung Fu Grip is the... Continue Reading →

Ancient Wisdom Modern Warriors: The (Re)Invention of a Mesoamerican Tradition by George Jennings

Introduction   Greetings!  If all has gone according to plan I am now back in the United States, recovering from jet lag, reviewing my notes from the conference and preparing a report on the events of the last week to... Continue Reading →

Striking Distance: Charles Russo Recounts the Rise of the Chinese Martial Arts in America

  Charles Russo. 2016. Striking Distance: Bruce Lee & the Dawn of Martial Arts in America. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press. 264 pages. $24.95 USD (Hardcover)   Anyone can tell you that it is easier to review a good book... Continue Reading →

Who “Owns” Kung Fu? Intangible Cultural Heritage, Globalization and the Decentering of the Asian Martial Arts

    "Inoue said the Japanese style of judo traditionally focused more on quantity rather than quality, trying to instill a tough mentality. But in Europe, which Inoue describes as “the mainstream of judo today,” judoka train more efficiently. “A... Continue Reading →

Bodhidharma: Historical Fiction, Hyper-Real Religion and Shaolin Kung Fu

    ***For the Friday post we will be revisiting a classic (and very popular) article from the archives.  I originally posted this essay almost two years ago and recently I have found myself thinking about it again.  It will... Continue Reading →

Through a Lens Darkly (36): Swords, Lions and the Consumption of Chinese Culture

  Introduction Happy Lunar New Year!  In honor of the holiday I decided to publish a couple of posts that focused on the important role that the traditional martial arts, and martial values more generally, have played in the celebration... Continue Reading →

A Quick Announcement and the Unexpected Role of Secrecy in the Success of the Traditional Chinese Martial Arts

A pair of Japanese Komuso or “Monks of Emptiness.” Original Source: Unknown. Introduction I am currently in the middle of writing a short introduction that I was asked to contribute to a forthcoming volume.  As such we will be revisiting... Continue Reading →

Research Notes: Foreign Attitudes towards Kung Fu in Colonial Hong Kong

  The TCMA as a Perpetual Revival Movement   Kung Fu has an odd relationship with the past. It seems that for the last century (at least) each generation has discovered the beauty of the Chinese martial arts only to... Continue Reading →

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