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. "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 "Dr.
Jennings' Reinventing Martial Arts in the 21st Century is a fresh,
extremely current piece. Written in a clear, precise and simple
language, it addresses many of the topics inspiring contemporary
social research on martial arts-their hybridization with other
movements systems, their consideration as self-help or therapy
practices, or their protection, revival or reinvention as
intangible cultural heritage, to name a few. It is solidly
structured and developed, presenting findings on all these fields,
based on the author's original research and knowledge as veteran
martial artist. No doubt this book is a brilliant contribution to
the field of study of martial arts and combat sports." -Carlos
Gutierrez Garcia, Associate Professor, Department of Physical and
Sport Education, Universidad de Leon, Spain; Editor-in-Chief of
Revista de Artes Marciales Asiaticas "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 "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 "This book offers 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.
Jennings speaks fluently in a range of voices, allowing different
levels and kinds of focus and attention, from large perspectives to
attention to less obvious areas of life and practice. This work
will be of particular value to ethnography, anthropology and social
science students and researchers of martial arts, culture and
society." -Professor Paul Bowman, Cardiff University, United
Kingdom; Author of The Invention of Martial Arts (2021)
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