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Kung Fu Tea

Martial Arts History, Wing Chun and Chinese Martial Studies.

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Lightsaber Combat

Sometimes a Cigar is Just a Lightsaber: Fetishism and Material Culture in Martial Arts Studies

“The lightsaber has become an important touchstone, both within the films and within our culture…They serve as a source of identification and identity.  They are the ultimate commodity: a nonexistent object whose replicas sell for hundreds of dollars.  This is... Continue Reading →

Debating Rules and Standards in the Martial Arts

  Why do the rules matter? Recently I was invited to help organize a local martial arts gathering and tournament.  I have never done anything like this before (most of my organizational expertise is concentrated in the academic realm) but... Continue Reading →

History and Myth in Lightsaber Combat

  Introduction In the coming months I expect that readers will be seeing a few new blog posts discussing my ongoing work with the Lightsaber Combat community.  I have a chapter and conference paper that will be looking at performance... 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 →

Paradoxes of Success in Lightsaber Combat

    Lightsabers Go Legit What follows is a meditation on recent events. It is not every day that you sit down, open your phone, and find Trevor Noah performing a Daily Show bit about people you know. It is... Continue Reading →

Martial Arts and Restoring the Body Politic

    Are Martial Arts Political?   My friend, Paul Bowman, recently asked the rhetorical question, “Should martial arts be active or passive players in politics?” The question is rhetorical in a double sense. Paul never directly answers his own... Continue Reading →

Lightsaber Combat and the Value of Myth in the Martial Arts

  Solo, the latest addition to the Star Wars franchise, opens around the country tonight.  As such, it is only fitting that I share with readers of Kung Fu Tea my latest article, co-authored with Chad Eisner.  This piece was... Continue Reading →

Explaining “Openness” and “Closure” in Kung Fu, Lightsaber Combat and Modern Martial Arts

  An Eternal Debate   Some of the most persistent, and for students of Martial Arts Studies most significant, issues revolve around the choices individuals are forced to make.  I was introduced to Wing Chun in what I would characterize... Continue Reading →

May the 4th Be With You: Rhythm in the Chinese Martial Arts and Lightsaber Combat

***It is May the 4th, everyone's favorite Star Wars themed, merchandise based, holiday!  As regular readers know I occasionally write about the Lightsaber Combat Community.  Here is an essay touching on the importance of rhythm in the practice of various... Continue Reading →

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