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Kung Fu Tea

Martial Arts History, Wing Chun and Chinese Martial Studies.

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Kung Fu

Through a Lens Darkly (58): Contesting Wushu

    Introduction I recently noted that it is necessary to begin historical discussions by specifying whether we are examining events (or practices) as they actually happened, or the evolution of ideas about them.  This is not to say that... Continue Reading →

Subcultures and Neo-Tribes: Contesting the Meaning of Martial Arts

  Introduction While most of my own writing focuses on the Chinese martial arts, I tend to read rather widely.  In part this is simply a reflection of my interests, and perhaps some sort of escapist urge to keep me... Continue Reading →

Research Note: Kung Fu Diplomacy During the Cultural Revolution

  The History of Practice vs. The History of an Idea This post continues an occasional series looking at the ways in which the traditional Chinese martial arts were discussed in the PRC’s propaganda and cultural diplomacy efforts from roughly... Continue Reading →

Chinese Martial Arts in the News: March 22, 2019: Kung Fu and its Discontents

  Introduction Its been over a month since our last news update, which means that there is no better time to get caught up on recent events! For new readers, this is a semi-regular feature here at Kung Fu Tea in which we... Continue Reading →

“Old Sports” in New China – Reporting the 1953 National Exhibition and Tournament

      The Source As part of my ongoing research on the role of the traditional martial arts within the creation of China’s public diplomacy strategy, I am reviewing several propaganda sources produced in the 1950s and 1960s.  By... Continue Reading →

Meeting Ma Yue and the Limits of Description

  An Unexpected Invitation A friend recently extended an invitation that I couldn’t refuse. A couple of weeks ago Chad Eisner (who some of you may remember from my various lightsaber projects) got in touch and let me know that... Continue Reading →

From the Journal: Psychological Collectivism in Traditional Martial Arts

Greetings! I am currently traveling for some fieldwork on duanbing (short weapons training). As someone who spends a lot of time researching the Republic era Chinese martial arts, I am excited to finally have a chance to learn more about... Continue Reading →

Chinese Martial Arts in the News: February 16th, 2019: All the World’s a Stage

    Introduction I hope that everyone enjoyed their Lunar New Year.  Its always a time of many public exhibitions and celebrations.  They, in turn, generate an uptick in news coverage of local martial arts practices and well as Lion... Continue Reading →

A Short List of Women Who Shaped the Southern Chinese Martial Arts

  Introduction Friday morning posts are usually written the day before, and it just so happens that this week’s Thursday falls on Valentine’s Day. That complicates things for reasons that are both understandable and a few which are a little... Continue Reading →

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