Hey,

In a different thread Samurai Steve mentioned that he's persuing an academic study of the martial arts. Likewise, I've been working on some anthropological/cultural history work.

Basically, I was wondering who on Bullshido is conducting academic research in the martial arts (especially since I'm always looking for people to compare notes with). If you're doing work, or thinking about it, can you post some info here. That way we might be able to get some cross pollenation going (and possible share research resources).

- Matt

M.C. Busman pops in now and then. And Miguk's still around. He's done a ton of good work here.

I'm not sure who's done academic-specific work, but I would love for us to feature anything you guys came up with.

Good refs. Especially Miguk who is a frickin' treasure trove of Korean info.

My stuff is primarily falls into two categories: subcultures and cultural bleed in MA and Martial Arts Culture's role in the rise of Modern Nationalism/National Identity. Still in the fact finding stages in both areas.

- Matt

Good refs. Especially Miguk who is a frickin' treasure trove of Korean info.

My stuff is primarily falls into two categories: subcultures and cultural bleed in MA and Martial Arts Culture's role in the rise of Modern Nationalism/National Identity. Still in the fact finding stages in both areas.

- Matt

A lot of the information that I have dealt with comparison study between Korean history and MA history. Not to mention that working with some people on TKD.net has been a God send. The Glenn Uesegi is a well of information. Plus I have also been lucky to get first hand accounts from my wife's uncle who was 2nd or 3rd generation underneath the Jidokwan founders.

A lot of the information that I have dealt with comparison study between Korean history and MA history.I really need to talk with you about that. I've been interested at looking at Judo, TKD, and Wu Shu and their respective roles in the establishment of their respective nation's modern nationalist identity and tieing that all into the Olympics.

- Matt

You might want to check out Andrew Morris' "Marrow of the Nation: A History of Sport and Physical Culture in Republican China" for the Chinese side. For judo, well, I'm sure you're already looking into Kano. I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on the effects of the post-Kano militant nationalism and then WWII, and then the "budo ban." I wonder if the temporary school ban helped place a larger emphasis on the sport side, maybe eventually making it more acceptable as a sport?

I have Morris's dissertation on my harddrive. And a few of his articles. Kevin Caffrey at the University of Chicago tipped me off to him.

Right now I'm looking at the influence of the Muscular Christian movement on Kano and the development of Judo. What interests me a bit about Judo is how it became (ignoring Sumo for the moment) the "national art" of Japan (its inclusion in the Olympics is key to me).

I think the school ban had a bit to do with it. I'm a bit curious about the role of USMC "Judo" on its development and how it was handled during the ban.

- Matt

If your research veers into JMA, then I would think there would be no better person to acquaint with than Prof. Karl Friday of UGeorgia, who is an acknowledged authority on Japanese history, Koryu bujutsu and his own ryuha (he has a teaching certificate from this koryu kenjutsu ryuha). In fact, he has writeen a very engaging book on his ryuha, which most koryu enthusiasts on the both sides of the Pacific recommend highly.

I have Morris's dissertation on my harddrive. And a few of his articles. Kevin Caffrey at the University of Chicago tipped me off to him.

Right now I'm looking at the influence of the Muscular Christian movement on Kano and the development of Judo. What interests me a bit about Judo is how it became (ignoring Sumo for the moment) the "national art" of Japan (its inclusion in the Olympics is key to me).

- Matt

Matt,

have you read Dakin Burdick's thesis, "The American Way of Fighting"? The first four chapters might be of interest re. Muscular Christianity, judo, etc.

As an aside, I have a theory that some of the original field testing of Kodokan Judo/Jiudo/Kano-ryu Jiujitsu/etc. as a competitive sport actually happened in England, via the experience of Yukio Tani and Sadekazu Uyenishi as music-hall wrestlers. They had been sent to London to teach at E.W. Barton-Wright's Bartitsu Club under the auspices of the Kodokan, and their books follow the Kodokan's reformist agenda of Jiudo as a "manly sport" suitable for inclusion in physical education curricula. This may have one of the events that led to their splitting with Barton-Wright, as he was more interested in street self defense applications than in sport; either way, their success in competition paved the way for the widespread popularity of sport judo in Europe during the 20th century.

You should also talk to EJMAS editor Joe Svinth re. the influence of the Muscular Christian philosophy on Kano's pedagogy.

DdlR, do you know any good source in english about Savate´s history prior to WWI? I´m doing a bit of research on Savate in Czarist Russia and Finland.

Sorry to hijack thread.

Matt,

have you read Dakin Burdick's thesis, "The American Way of Fighting"? The first four chapters might be of interest re. Muscular Christianity, judo, etc.Going to pull it down today.


As an aside, I have a theory that some of the original field testing of Kodokan Judo/Jiudo/Kano-ryu Jiujitsu/etc. as a competitive sport actually happened in England, via the experience of Yukio Tani and Sadekazu Uyenishi as music-hall wrestlers. They had been sent to London to teach at E.W. Barton-Wright's Bartitsu Club under the auspices of the Kodokan, and their books follow the Kodokan's reformist agenda of Jiudo as a "manly sport" suitable for inclusion in physical education curricula. This may have one of the events that led to their splitting with Barton-Wright, as he was more interested in street self defense applications than in sport; either way, their success in competition paved the way for the widespread popularity of sport judo in Europe during the 20th century.I totally agree. I don't currently know enough about that period, but based on some material that I read in JAMA and mapping it onto my understanding of the history of Muscular Christianty (plus Gymnasitics and other physical culture movements) it makes for a solid story.


You should also talk to EJMAS editor Joe Svinth re. the influence of the Muscular Christian philosophy on Kano's pedagogy.Will do. I've been promising a prof an article on this for quite a while and need to get my ass in gear on it.

- Matt

BTW:

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have you read Dakin Burdick's thesis, "The American Way of Fighting"? The first four chapters might be of interest re. Muscular Christianity, judo, etc.

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This didn't come up on a google scholar seach. Any chance you know where he did his graduate work?

- Matt

DdlR, do you know any good source in english about Savate´s history prior to WWI? I´m doing a bit of research on Savate in Czarist Russia and Finland.

Sorry to hijack thread.

Unfortunately, although there's been a fair bit of historical research on savate, it's almost all in French. I may be able to answer some questions, though - maybe you could start another thread for this subject?

I did a concentration on Asian martial philosophy for my Philo degree, and continue to do research on KMA history (way too much Bullshido...makes finding the good stuff fun and challenging). In fact, I found Bullshido.com through doing research and came across Miguksaram's posts. Turns out we know people in common, etc...

I lucked out an my advisor at UMBC studied old school Kang Duk Won Kwonbup/TKD directly under it's old kwanjang back in the day after the Vietnam War, and had much first hand material (in Korean). This, coupled with learning the Korean language, and my own master who is old school Moodukkwan, has opened up a lot of research material and opportunities for me that a lot of KMA researchers just don't have.

BTW:

----------

have you read Dakin Burdick's thesis, "The American Way of Fighting"? The first four chapters might be of interest re. Muscular Christianity, judo, etc.

------------

This didn't come up on a google scholar seach. Any chance you know where he did his graduate work?

- Matt

UMI - but I think the PDF is actually available online somewhere. I'll PM you ...

I did a concentration on Asian martial philosophy for my Philo degree, and continue to do research on KMA history (way too much Bullshido...makes finding the good stuff fun and challenging). In fact, I found Bullshido.com through doing research and came across Miguksaram's posts. Turns out we know people in common, etc...

I lucked out an my advisor at UMBC studied old school Kang Duk Won Kwonbup/TKD directly under it's old kwanjang back in the day after the Vietnam War, and had much first hand material (in Korean). This, coupled with learning the Korean language, and my own master who is old school Moodukkwan, has opened up a lot of research material and opportunities for me that a lot of KMA researchers just don't have.

Is there an actual, documentable KMA today with clear connections in techniques to pre-Occupation Korea? I've been curious about the claim made by Taekyon, that there is a clear line of transmission from Choson to today.