The Center and the Periphery What is this “a case of?” That is the basic empirical question that underlays countless discussions in the social sciences. It is difficult to know what something means, what puzzles or challenges its presence... Continue Reading →
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Influence at Home and Abroad: Martial Arts at China’s Central Army Officer Candidate School
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Through a Lens Darkly (53): Traditional Weapons in China’s 20th Century Militia Movements
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. If true this will be a weighty essay. Yet that was always the thing about Harrison Forman, the renowned photo-journalist, writer and explorer. As a correspondent he was a double... Continue Reading →
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Through a Lens Darkly (54): Preserving a Fading China
Introduction You may not know her name, but if you have any interest in modern Chinese history, it is almost certain that you have seen her photographs. Hedda Morrison (1908-1991), while not acknowledged as a leading artistic photographer during... Continue Reading →
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Through a Lens Darkly (55): Taijiquan and the Soft Power Paradox
As previously noted, I have been taking a couple weeks off from the blog to focus on another writing project that needs my attention. Nevertheless, I ran across an image that I wanted to share. As I did a... Continue Reading →
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Through a Lens Darkly (56): New York City’s Kung Fu and the Roaring 1920s
Introduction While I have a few connections in New York City’s TCMA community, it has always been my experience that one turns up different sorts of insights by getting out and exploring the terrain on one’s own. It... Continue Reading →
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Swords, Visuality and the Construction of China
Deciphering an Icon Recently I came across a few of Harrison Forman’s wartime photos, probably taken in the early 1930s, but circulated to newspapers and (re)published in 1938. While his photos of militia groups following the 8th Route Army (discussed... Continue Reading →
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Wang Ziping and the Early Days of Wushu: Two Important Films
Introduction Wang Ziping (1881-1973) was an iconic figure within the world of the Republican martial arts. Having gained fame through his many feats of strength and public fights, the Muslim martial artist from Heibi province went on to hold... Continue Reading →
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Through a Lens Darkly (59): John S. S. Leong and Southern Kung Fu in 1969.
A Quick Note Last week I noted that I would be taking a short break from blogging to finish off a few projects (conference papers, book chapters and article drafts) with upcoming deadlines. I haven’t worked my way through... Continue Reading →
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The 19th Century Hudiedao (Butterfly Sword) on Land and Sea
Introduction Understanding the actual history and use of hudiedao (or Butterfly Swords) reflects the challenges faced by students of martial studies more generally. These short paired swords, with their distinctive D-shaped hand guards, are one of the most commonly... Continue Reading →
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Research Notes: The Chinese and Japanese Martial Arts as Seen on Western Newsreels
***Greetings! I have spent the last week putting the finishing touches on my keynote for the (fast approaching) 2019 Martial Arts Studies conference in Los Angeles. In fact, I just finished my slides a few minutes ago. ... Continue Reading →
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Through a Lens Darkly (60): The Weapons Rack
A Recent Find Chinese martial arts themed (or simply adjacent) postcards from the pre-WWII era are not very common. These things certainly existed and circulated, but they are now difficult for most researchers to find. That is one of... Continue Reading →
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Through a Lens Darkly (14): Archery Practice in Late Imperial China
***Kung Fu Tea is having a birthday! The blog has now been up and running for seven years. Its hard to believe how much it, and the Martial Arts Studies community, has grown in that time. As such I... Continue Reading →
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Research Notes: A Japanese Martial Arts Demonstration
It will come as no surprise to regular readers that I am a fan of late 19th and early 20th century martial arts ephemera. Postcards, being visual, cheap and easily mailed around the globe, were one vector by which... Continue Reading →
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Through a Lens Darkly (61): The Shifting Social and Economic Value of Traditional Chinese Weapons
One of the most notable trends over the last decade has been the rapid appreciation of prices for antique Chinese weapons. There is more variability in markets for antique objects than one might think. Simply being rare was... Continue Reading →
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Through a Lens Darkly (62): Chan Bing’s Choy Li Fut Students, 1967
Unfolding a Story When the opportunity presents itself I try to collect vintage photographs, postcards, illustrations and other ephemera touching on the martial arts. As someone who writes and publishes on these subjects, it is very helpful to have... Continue Reading →
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Through a Lens Darkly (47): The Sword Shops of Beijing’s Bow and Arrow Street
***I am currently preparing for a demonstration and tournament which I will be hosting on Friday. As such, we are turning to the archives for today's post. This essay offers readers a unique look at the nexus between the martial... Continue Reading →
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Through a Lens Darkly (65): Filipino Knives, Imperialism and the Asian Martial Arts
Vintage Postcard. Source: Author's Collection It sometimes seems as though I am only Wing Chun aficionado who doesn’t have a sideline in the Filipino martial arts. On a cultural level we can thank Bruce Lee and his high-profile relationship with... Continue Reading →
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Through a Lens Darkly (66): The Dramatic Aspect of Chinese Martial Arts
Introduction We must thank Joseph Svinth for this post. He came across the following photo essay during his research and was kind enough to share it with me. It was clear that this needed to be included in the... Continue Reading →
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Earliest Published Photograph and References to Wing Chun
The Problem with Being “First” I am distrustful of attempts to locate the “first” instance of anything popular or famous. Generally speaking, these quests misunderstand the way that the social world works. We all stand on the shoulders of... Continue Reading →
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Through a Lens Darkly (1): Images of China’s Martial Culture
***Greetings! As I noted in my last post I am taking a (hopefully) short hiatus from multiple-essays-a-week blogging as I adjust to the demanding schedule of a new job. But rather than let things get stale I decided to use... Continue Reading →
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