Reinventing Martial Arts in the 21st Century: Eastern Stimulus, Western Response

This book explores the re-imagining and reconstruction of the martial arts in the 21st century Western context, considering their use for self-help and therapy, and the regulation of the industry by Western influencers and international organizations. It draws on a wide range of data sources to paint a vivid picture of the reinvention process in contemporary society, showing how elements of the martial arts are being adapted, critiqued, managed, and merged to suit the social needs of todays martial artists and the public.

Format: Hardback
Length: 222 pages
Publication date: 30 December 2022
Publisher: Peter Lang Publishing Inc

Based on over 15 years of extensive research, this groundbreaking text offers a novel definition of the martial arts to explore how these combat systems are being re-imagined and reconstructed in the 21st century Western context. Taking a perspective of the martial arts as open-to-reinterpretation art forms, this unique book delves into the diverse ways in which martial arts can be utilized, including within movement systems and for self-help and therapy purposes. However, it is important to note that the martial arts industry is a highly unregulated space. Recognizing this, the book also examines the ways in which Western influencers on social media and more formal international organizations, such as UNESCO, are regulating the martial arts.

The project then takes a deep dive into 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. Drawing on a diverse range of data sources, including autoethnography, ethnography, life history interviews, and social media and textual analysis, the book paints a vivid picture of the reinvention process taking place in contemporary society. It showcases how elements of the martial arts, often originating from East Asian societies, are being adapted, critiqued, managed, and merged to suit the social needs of today's martial artists and the broader public.

This monograph is a valuable resource for scholars and students interested in combat sports, martial arts, and physical culture from a social scientific and qualitative perspective. It provides a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the reinvention of the martial arts in the modern world, offering insights into the complex interplay between culture, tradition, and social change.

Weight: 441g
Dimension: 225 x 150 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781433182938
Edition number: New ed