Reinventing Martial Arts in the 21st Century
Peter Lang Publishing Inc (Verlag)
978-1-4331-8293-8 (ISBN)
Based on over 15 years of research, this text proposes a new definition of the martial arts to examine how such fighting systems are being re-imagined and reconstructed beyond the arenas of combat and sport in the 21st century Western context. Taking the viewpoint of the martial arts as art forms open to reinterpretation, this unique book considers the ways in which martial arts can be used for different purposes, such as within movement systems and for self-help and therapy. However, the martial arts industry is a highly unregulated space. The book, therefore, considers the ways in which the martial arts are being regulated by Western influencers on social media as well as more formal international organisations connected to UNESCO. The project then examines the lives of long-term martial arts instructors and practitioners of historical European martial arts (HEMA), Taijiquan (Tai Chi Chuan), Wing Chun Kung Fu and other internal martial arts such as Cheng Hsin. This book draws on a wide range of data sources including autoethnography, ethnography, life history interviews and social media and textual analysis to paint a vivid picture of the reinvention process in contemporary society. It shows how elements of the martial arts (often from East Asian societies) are being adapted, critiqued, managed and merged to suit the social needs of today’s martial artists and the public. This monograph will appeal to all scholars and students interested in combat sports, martial arts and physical culture from a social scientific and qualitative perspective.
"…his research on Mexican traditions brings a fresh perspective to the analysis of cultural influences and theoretical reflection on the heritage of martial arts…"—WOJCIECH J. CYNARSKI
"Written in a clear, precise and simple language, it addresses many of the topics inspiring contemporary social research on martial arts…"—CARLOS GUTIÉRREZ GARCÍA
"Jennings has…drawn together several of the key themes in martial arts studies which became highly visible during the COVID-19 pandemic."—SARA DELAMONT
"…a highly readable academic account of colorful vignettes and vivid insights shared from a lifetime in martial arts and scholarship."—DS FARRER
"…a fascinating exploration of multiple overlooked aspects of the living and breathing richness and diversity of martial arts as lived practices, often intertwined with different livelihoods, issues and aspects of health and wellbeing, and ways of growing."—PAUL BOWMAN
Dr. George Jennings has been researching the martial arts since his undergraduate dissertation in 2004. He holds a PhD in Sport and Health Sciences from the University of Exeter, United Kingdom, and is Senior Lecturer in Sport Sociology at Cardiff Metropolitan University. George has over 40 publications.
Preface – Acknowledgments – List of Abbreviations – Introduction: Conceptualising the Martial Arts in Contemporary Society – Chinese Martial Arts as Art Forms – Martial Arts as the Basis for Mixed Movement Systems – Martial Arts as the Social Structure for Self- Help – The Restructuring of Martial Arts as Therapy – Regulating the Martial Arts Industry: The McDojo Critique – The Revival and Protection of Martial Arts as Heritage – Teachers, Networks and Relationships in the Martial Arts – Investing into the Martial Arts and Related Practices – My Martial Arts Journey: An Autoethnography – Conclusions and Future Directions – Index.
“The author presents the situation of selected martial arts traditions of China and Europe in today’s social contexts. At the same time, he shows both social sensitivity and broad erudition. His research on Mexican traditions brings a fresh perspective to the analysis of cultural influences and theoretical reflection on the heritage of martial arts. Also, the qualitative methodology used here is most appropriate for an in-depth description of the attitudes of martial artists. It includes, but is not limited to, autoethnography. I highly recommend this book to researchers and enthusiasts of martial arts/fighting arts.”
—Professor Dr Wojciech J. Cynarski, 10th dan of Idokan
“George Jennings tackles the western reinvention of traditional martial arts in terms of McDonaldization, heritage studies, and sport science to discuss emerging forms of virtual community, therapy and self-help. Through evocative auto-ethnography Jennings demonstrates the advantage of training in swords while taking notes. The result is a highly readable academic account of colorful vignettes and vivid insights shared from a lifetime in martial arts and scholarship.”
—DS Farrer, University of Exeter, United Kingdom
“Most martial arts celebrate their long historical traditions, ancient roots and aim to inculcate their learners with respect for expert practitioners and their values. Those that originated in East and South East Asia spread across the rest of the world in the twentieth century, and now flourish in societies very different from those where they originated. Alongside the globalised martial arts an academic field of research—martial arts studies—has grown up. Its focus is not only on those Eastern and South-east Asian martial arts and combat sports, but also on those from Africa and the Americas (such as Capoeira and Xilam), and those claiming European origins such as Savate, HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts) or Breton wrestling. Some of these are self-conscious recreations; others are evolved varieties of earlier activities. One important theme in martial arts studies is studying how different forms of combat change and develop; a second research area is focused on how practitioners can benefit physically and mentally from participation.
George Jennings has, in this book, drawn together several of the key themes in martial arts studies which became highly visible during the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing on ethnographic work done before, during, and since the height of the pandemic in Europe, key themes in martial arts studies are explored. Jennings has worked intensively on three martial arts (Taijiquan, HEMA and Wing Chun), and also draws on the research about other activities such as Venezuelan Stick fighting, Savate and Xilam. The text addresses core themes in martial arts studies while blending the standpoints of the practitioner, the teacher, and the researcher.”
—Sara Delamont, Reader Emeritus, Cardiff University, United Kingdom
| Erscheinungsdatum | 24.10.2022 |
|---|---|
| Reihe/Serie | Sport in East and Southeast Asian Societies ; 3 |
| Mitarbeit |
Herausgeber (Serie): J.A. Mangan |
| Verlagsort | New York |
| Sprache | englisch |
| Maße | 150 x 225 mm |
| Gewicht | 441 g |
| Themenwelt | Sachbuch/Ratgeber ► Sport ► Kampfsport / Selbstverteidigung |
| Sozialwissenschaften ► Soziologie ► Mikrosoziologie | |
| Schlagworte | Chinese martial arts • George Jennings • Historical European Martial Arts • martial arts therapies • mixed movement systems • reinterpreting martial arts • Reinventing Martial Arts in the 21st Century: Eastern Stimulus, Western Response • Self-Help • Social Media Influencers |
| ISBN-10 | 1-4331-8293-9 / 1433182939 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1-4331-8293-8 / 9781433182938 |
| Zustand | Neuware |
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