Reinventing Martial Arts in the 21st Century: Eastern Stimulus, Western Response (Sport in East and Southeast Asian Societies, 3)

Description

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 Cover HalfTitle Series Page Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Contents Preface Acknowledgments List of Abbreviations 1 Introduction: Conceptualising the Martial Arts in Contemporary Society The Reinvention of the Martial Arts Positionality and the Scope of this Book Defining and Redefining the Martial Arts: A Work in Progress Outlining the Structure of the Book References Part I Reimagining the Martial Arts 2 Chinese Martial Arts as Art Forms Considering Martial Arts as Arts Wing Chun Kung Fu Taijiquan (Tai Chi Chuan) Discussion Conclusion References 3 Martial Arts as the Basis for Mixed Movement Systems Movement, Technique and Mixed Methods Ido Portal Movement Culture Budokwon Yoga Summary: Movement Cultures and Body Culture References 4 Martial Arts as the Social Structure for Self-Help Martial Arts, the Self and Social Structures Be Like Water: Be Like Bruce Lee Warriors of the 21st Century A Traditional Chinese Warrior Archetype Discussion: The Commercialisation of Self-Help over Collective Help Communities Concluding Comments References 5 The Restructuring of Martial Arts as Therapy Introduction: Situating Martial Therapies Martial Arts as and alongside Therapy The fightingandspirit Project: Where Psychotherapy Blends with Martial Arts Workshops The Martial Movement Method: A Hybrid System of Human Mobility Discussion: Theorising the 8Ps of Martial Therapy Conclusions: From Asian Martial Arts Medicine to Modern Therapies References Part II Reconstructing the Martial Arts 6 Regulating the Martial Arts Industry: The McDojo Critique Commercalisation and the McDonaldization of the Martial Arts The McDojo Critique: Between Humour and Genuine Concern Exploring “the Ancient Art of Bullshido” through The Joe Rogan Experience “Is my gym a McDojo?” Advice from Ramsey Dewey “Keep the martial arts legit”: McDojoLife and the Hunt for Martial Arts Frauds Concluding Comments on the “Culty” and “Creepy”: McDojos as Cults? References 7 The Revival and Protection of Martial Arts as Heritage Introducing a Modern Renaissance of Martial Arts Lost and Found “A whole plethora of things”: From Historical Fencing and Western Martial Arts to HEMA Recovering a Hidden Mexico with Newly Created Martial Arts Martial Arts Heritage: International and Local Projects Summary References Part III Living and Breathing the Martial Arts 8 Teachers, Networks and Relationships in the Martial Arts Billy Marshall: The Marshal of the Blade Academy David James: From Karate to Taijiquan and Back Again (From the Inside Out) Summary References 9 Investing into the Martial Arts and Related Practices George: Fighting Fit as a Martial Man Aidan Evans: Changing Vehicles from Cheng Hsin to Taijiquan and Neigong Summary References 10 My Martial Arts Journey: An Autoethnography Turtles, Tim and Taekwondo: Getting to Know the Martial Arts “Kung Fu crazy” Martial Arts as an Object of Academic Study Chinese Philosophy in the Flesh Becoming a Fighting Scholar “There must be a Mexican martial art. There’s got to be!” Re-connecting with the Kung Fu Family Dragon Kung Fu in Wales, The Land of the Dragon Summary References 11 Conclusions and Future Directions Summary: Returning to a Working Definition Contributions to Knowledge Limitations of the Study Future Directions References