Clik here to view.
Research Notes: Glimpsing the Future of Martial Arts Studies
A press photo issued by the Japan Press Illustrated Service. The caption on the back reads “Instruction of Halbert and Sword.—The halbert has been instructed from old as a peculiar Japanese military...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Five Chinese Martial Studies Books that We Need to Read
Austrian National Library in Vienna. Source: Wikimedia. photo by Matl, 2006. Introduction As some of you may have noticed, posts here at Kung Fu Tea and on the Facebook group have been coming a...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Ben Judkins and Jon Nielson talk with Kung Fu Tai Chi Magazine about THE...
The Creation of Wing Chun by Judkins and Nielson. Introduction I try to stick to a Monday/Friday posting schedule, but every once in a while something comes up and I have to break from routine. This...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Through a Lens Darkly (34): The Chinese and Japanese Martial Arts in WWII-era...
Kendo and Judo as part of life in the Japanese Navy. Source: Vintage Postcard. Author’s personal collection. Introduction The martial arts can speak to a number of important questions, but perhaps to...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Internal Elixir Cultivation: Robert Coons on the Nature of Daoist Meditation
Knowing others is wisdom;Knowing the self is enlightenment.Mastering others requires force;Mastering the self needs strength.He who knows he has enough is rich.Perseverance is a sign of willpower.He...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Chinese Martial Arts in the News: November 2, 2015: Sanda, Taijiquan and the...
Taijiquan practitioners attempting to set a new record. Source: dailymail.co.uk Introduction Welcome to “Chinese Martial Arts in the News.” This is a semi-regular feature here at Kung Fu Tea in...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Preparing for the First Issue of Martial Arts Studies: Three Critical Questions
Volkerkunde by F.Ratzel.Printed in Germany,1890. This 19th century illustration shows a number of interesting Japanese and Chinese arms including hudiedao. Three Critical Questions The inaugural...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Autumn 2015 Issue of Martial Arts Studies is Here!
Paul Bowman and I are happy to announce that the first issue of the new interdisciplinary journal Martial Arts Studies has arrived. It is free to download, read or share by anyone with an internet...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Ben Judkins and Jon Nielson talk with Kung Fu Tai Chi Magazine about THE...
Traditional style Hudiedao. Source: traditionalfilipinoweapons.com Introduction Earlier in the summer my co-author, Jon Nielson, and I had the pleasure of discussing our recent book and the current...
View ArticleClik here to view.
China’s One Child Policy and Martial Arts Studies
Three unidentified children practice Kung Fu near the Shaolin Temple. This press photo was taken in 1982 and it captures the first moments of the “Golden Age” of Kung Fu in mainland China. Source:...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Chinese Martial Arts in the News: November 23, 2015: Trouble in the Badlands,...
Still shot of Bruce Lee in the opening scene of “Enter the Dragon.” Introduction Welcome to “Chinese Martial Arts in the News.” This is a semi-regular feature here at Kung Fu Tea in which we review...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Bruce Lee: Memory, Philosophy and the Tao of Gung Fu
Bruce Lee with his favorite onscreen weapon. Introduction: Bruce Lee at 75 Yesterday I celebrated Thanksgiving with my family. As is customary on this day of remembrance I took a few moments to think...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Cyber Monday: Read Chapter 1 of The Creation of Wing Chun – A Social History...
The Creation of Wing Chun: A Social History of the Southern Chinese Martial Arts by Benjamin Judkins and Jon Nielson. State University of New York Press, 2015. Given that today is “Cyber Monday,” one...
View ArticleClik here to view.
2015 Christmas Shopping List: Martial Arts Equipment and Long Reads to Get...
Bernard the Kung Fu Elf, training for a spot on the elite North Pole Alpine Search and Rescue team. (Source: late 1940s Swedish Postcard, Authors personal collection.) “In business, be competent....
View ArticleClik here to view.
Conference Report: Religion, Violence, and Existence of the Southern Shaolin...
A detailed view of one of the 19th century murals at the Shaolin Temple in Henan. Original published source unknown. Religion, Violence and the Asian Martial Arts Tel Aviv University – Department of...
View ArticleClik here to view.
History, Mythology, Technique and Philosophy: Finding the “True” Origins of...
Painting of a man yielding two long iron whips on pith paper. Canton, mid 19th century. Source: Digital Collections of the New York Public Library. Introduction History is difficult. It goes beyond...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Research Notes: Spirit Possession in the Southern Chinese Martial Arts
“Monkey Boxers” performing in a public market in Shanghai circa 1930. Source: Taiping Institute. Introduction Spirit possession is a fascinating but rarely discussed aspect of the traditional...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Doing Research (1): Fieldwork Methods in Martial Arts Studies by D. S. Farrer
Chin Woo crouching tiger quarterstaff stance, Singapore, 2007 Introduction It is my distinct pleasure to introduce the first entry in a new series of guest posts titled “Doing Research.” Compared to...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Through a Lens Darkly (35): Chinese Soldiers and the Ring Hilted Dao (Saber)
Chinese Officer and Soldier with Ring Hilted Sabers Today’s post is an early Christmas gift. When I first decided that it would be wise (for research purposes) to collect and catalog images of...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Chinese Martial Arts in the News: December 28th 2015: Wing Chun, Taiji and...
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...
View Article