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Red Boats of the Cantonese Opera: Economics, Social Structure and Violence...
A watercolor on pith image of a river vessel of the same or a similar type which was eventually adopted for the “Red Boats.” Likely painted in Guangzhou during the mid 19th century. Source: Author’s...
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Through a Lens Darkly (48): Opening the Stone Lock
Vintage Newspaper Photograph. Source: Authors’ Personal Collection. A Quick Update My other writing projects are continuing well, though weekends are never quite as productive as one might hope. But...
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A Killing Art
Introduction Greetings from my short writing sabbatical! There are two subjects that have been on my mind. The first is Korea as I spent much of the day editing a 15 page conference presentation...
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Star Wars: An American Martial Arts Film Franchise?
The Seven Form of Lightsaber Combat ***On November 19th at 4 pm I will be taking part in a live-chat (broadcast on YouTube) on ethnographic research in the martial arts and lightsaber combat. This is...
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Disenchanting Jianghu (Rivers and Lakes): Historical Experience and the Kung...
Introduction I am happy to report that all of the conference papers and book chapters I have been working on for the last month are now finished. Unfortunately, my blogging sabbatical must continue...
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Communicating Embodied Knowledge in Martial Arts Studies, Part 1
Introduction One of my few disappointments about the 2017 Martial Arts Studies conference was that a change in travel plans forced me to miss the final afternoon of the event. As such, I was not...
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Mixed Martial Arts in Shanghai, 1925
I recently had a chance to explore and organize a large database of vintage newspaper articles. This material was gathered as part of my on-going “Kung Fu Diplomacy” project. Yet every so often I...
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Deconstructing Martial Arts, Constructing Martial Arts Studies
Breaking Ceramic Figurines by Martin Klimas. ***The following guest post has been generously provided by Paul Bowman. It is significant in a number of respects, providing us with both a summery...
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Through a Lens Darkly (49): Kung Fu at Springfield College, 1917
“A Sword Fight.” 1917, magic lantern slide showing Wang Wen-lin and Wang Shhh-Ching. Source: The Digital Collections of Springfield College. Introduction When we think about the early history of the...
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Issue 5 of Martial Arts Studies Now Advailable: Choy Li Fut, Savate and the...
We are happy to announce that the fifth issue of Martial Arts Studies is now freely available. For new readers, Martial Arts Studies is the premier scholarly source for interdisciplinary work on a...
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Rebellion and the Chinese Martial Arts
Vintage postcard showing a “Young Boxer” with sword. Early 20th century. Source: Authors personal collection. Rebel Yell Its hard to deny that there is something a bit subversive about the martial...
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Chinese Martial Arts in the News: Feb. 5th, 2018 – Kung Fu in Global Markets,...
SHAOLIN MONASTERY, ZHENGZHOU, HENAN: Shaolin Monastery, a Chan Buddhist temple on Mount Song, near Dengfeng, Zhengzhou, Henan province. (Photo by Jeremy Horner/LightRocket via Getty Images)...
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1928: Boxing, Dance and Self-Determination at the Edge of China
Tibet has been on my mind. Far removed from the near tropical waters of the Pearl River Delta, it certainly falls outside of my normal research area. The region has its own martial and weapons...
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Through a Lens Darkly (50): Catching Up With A Group of Chinese Archers, and...
A Group of Chinese Archers, Fujian Province. Circa 1900. Source: USC Digital Collections. Old Friends One of the more rewarding things that I have been able to do with this blog has been to showcase...
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Kung Fu, City Defense and the Art of “Saving Lives”
Kai Filipiak. 2012. “’Saving Lives’—Lu Kun’s Manual on City Defense.” Journal of Chinese Military History. 139-188. Introduction Winter is a great time to catch up on one’s reading. And if you...
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Qilin Dancing During the Lunar New Year and Southern Chinese Martial Arts
A towering Qilin prepares to ritually enter a Chinese restaurant, bringing good luck in its wake. Birmingham’s Chinatown, Lunar New Year, 2012. Dr. Amos’ own research includes an excellent...
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The State of Martial Arts Publishing Today – A Roundtable Discussion
Three of the earliest English language books on Kung Fu by Chinese authors published in North America. Introduction Greetings, and welcome! Earlier this year a reader asked me to comment on the...
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Research Notes: “Glory Days” and the Twilight of the Guoshu Movement
Wang Zi Ping with Jian. Introduction “Soft power” and “public diplomacy” are closely linked, yet distinct, concepts. Perhaps the easiest way of understanding this distinction is that the first is a...
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Quanzhou Taizuquan – An Encyclopedia of Southern Kung Fu Culture
Zhou Kun Min. 2017. Quanzhou Taizuquan: The Art of Fujian Emperor First Kung Fu. Tambuli Media. 241 pages. $32.95 USD. I recently hosted a round table discussion focused on the state of the...
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Chinese Martial Arts in the News: March 5th, 2018: Wu (the Fight Club) and...
Introduction Welcome to “Chinese Martial Arts in the News!” Lots has been happening in the Chinese martial arts community, so its time to see what people have been saying. For new readers, this...
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