Introduction My original plan for the day included writing a conference report on the recent Martial Arts Studies gathering at Cardiff University (which, as always, was a blast). However, when I opened my email this morning I found a note from Paul Bowman reminding me that today is the 44th anniversary of…
Tag: Paul Bowman
Doing Research (10): Trying to Think Inside the Box with Paul Bowman
Introduction Welcome to the tenth entry in our series of guest posts titled “Doing Research.” If you missed the first essay by D. S. Farrer (which provides a global overview of the subject), the second by Daniel Mroz (how to select a school or teacher for research purposes), the third by Jared Miracle…
Roland Barthes and the DNA of Martial Arts Studies
Paul Bowman. 2017. Mythologies of Martial Arts. London and New York: Rowman & Littlefield. 184 pages. Professor Paul Bowman’s latest book sets a new standard for exploring the cultural, sociological and ideological criticism of the martial arts within modern society. It also suggests two questions that any reader will be forced to…
Now Available: Winter 2016 Issue of Martial Arts Studies
We are happy to announce that the Winter 2016 Issue of Martial Arts Studies is now available, free of charge, to any reader or institution. This open source, peer reviewed, interdisciplinary journal is an imprint of Cardiff University Press. Simply click the cover image, or this link, to download a complete copy. You…
A Sneak Peek
Introduction Paul Bowman, Kyle Barrowman and I have all been hard at work over the last couple of weeks putting the finishing touches on Issue 3 of the interdisciplinary journal, Martial Arts Studies. With seven research articles and a number of book reviews there is sure to be something of interest for all of…
Why do you draw the line? More on Definition in Martial Arts Studies
***Paul Bowman recently wrote an essay dealing with attempts to both define the martial arts and to think about the development of martial arts studies as a distinct field. Given the importance of the points that he raises, and the amount of interest that they are likely to generate among readers of Kung Fu…
(Insanity and) the Arts of Martial Minds
***Today we have a fascinating guest post by Paul Bowman. It has been reblogged from Martial Arts Studies. This essay outlines a new research project looking at questions of sanity and insanity within the practice of martial arts. It is one of the most thought provoking things that I have read in a while. …
Conference Report: Martial Arts and Society – On the Societal Relevance of Martial Arts, Combat Sports and Self-Defense
Introduction One of the most exciting, and simultaneously frustrating, aspects of the academic study of the martial arts is their international nature. Self-defense systems, combat sports or traditional martial arts can be found in practically every region of the globe. Hence it is not surprising that the scholarly investigation of these fighting…
What Can a Martial Body Do For Society? – Or, Theory Before Definition in Martial Arts Studies by Paul Bowman
Greetings from Germany! I am current attending the 5th Annual Meeting of the German Society of Sport Science’s Martial Arts Commission at the Sports University of Cologne. I will soon be delivering my keynote address (titled “Creating Wing Chun: Towards a Social History of the Southern Chinese Martial Arts.”) This paper discusses my…
Ip Man, the Death of Language and the Roots of Communication
Introduction It goes without saying that I should not be writing this post. On Sunday I will be boarding my flight for the UK and the 2016 Martial Arts Studies Conference at Cardiff University. I am looking forward to this event, but there are all sorts of other last minute things I should…
Chinese Martial Arts in the News: June 6th, 2016: Taijiquan, Wing Chun and The Final Master
Introduction Welcome to “Chinese Martial Arts in the News.” This is a semi-regular feature here at Kung Fu Tea in which we review media stories that mention or affect the traditional fighting arts. In addition to discussing important events, this column also considers how the Asian hand combat systems are portrayed in…
Chinese Martial Arts in the News: April 25th, 2016: Tourism, Weapons Based MMA and Old School Kung Fu
Introduction Welcome to “Chinese Martial Arts in the News.” This is a semi-regular feature here at Kung Fu Tea in which we review media stories that mention or affect the traditional fighting arts. In addition to discussing important events, this column also considers how the Asian hand combat systems are portrayed in the mainstream media….
