In contrast to the overabundance of writings about martial arts that are often promotional and misinformative, there are rare works by scholars that are praiseworthy for their sincere, unbiased approach to writing. This is the very definition of “scholarly.” This two-volume anthology brings together the best scholarly works published in the Journal of Asian Martial Arts on the topic of teaching and learning Japanese martial arts. In this volume, you’ll find ten chapters that dive deep into Japanese martial traditions, combining aspects of history and culture that explain how teaching methods developed and evolved. Harrison-Pepper’s chapter sets the tone with a focus on the fundamental student–teacher relationship that is responsible for the transmission of any art. She uses sociological and performance studies to analyze the martial art’s maturing process. Since Japan was ruled by a warrior class for nearly 700 years, it is necessary to understand the method by which warriors were educated through the ryuha system. Nyle Monday’s chapter presents this system. Dr. Hershey explores the way in which a martial art can serve as a vehicle for non-discursive intercultural exchange in the teaching process. His chapter provides a discussion of the importance of embodying the feeling or aesthetic of a particular system as a way of knowing and understanding martial techniques. The next three chapters were originally prepared for a meeting of the Association for Asian Studies. Dr. Varley states that most who have written about martial arts practice are not trained scholars. He discusses the state of writing in this field and introduces the other authors. Dr. Hurst discusses the characteristics of the martial arts that place them into the category of “artistic ways.” This reflects the “family headship” system of instruction to carry on the school’s traditions. Dr. Friday defines the term ryuha as “branch of the current,” representing the onward flow of a stream of thought; the branches betoken the splitting off that occurs as insights are passed from master to students, generation after generation. In the next chapter, Dr. VanHorne's research is persuading, showing that the ultimate goal of the training is to foster individuals to contribute to the betterment of the collective society with social responsibility. In the following chapter, Dr. Donohue analyzes the organizational components of traditional martial arts training and relates them to modern pedagogical theories. He concludes that the instructional theory embedded in martial arts training is at least as sophisticated and highly developed as are the techniques and philosophies of these systems. In the next chapter, he examines kata training as (1) a cultural activity that has been shaped by the structural characteristics of Japanese culture, and kata training as (2) a highly structured and effective mechanism for imparting technical skill in the martial arts. Kim Taylor provides the final chapter dealing with “progressive instruction” found in many kata-based martial arts. Using iaido (sword drawing) as an example, he demonstrates how a set of practice can build—one kata after the other—from simple to more complex ideas and provide a deeper understanding of the entire set. If you are interested in Japanese martial traditions, you will find much in these ten chapters that clarify why the arts are taught according to a longstanding tradition—and also why there have been evolutionary changes in the instructional methods. There is sound logic for the old traditions, as well as for the changes. The scholarly research presented in this anthology will improve a teacher’s way of instructing and help a student understand what to expect out of his or her studies.

Teaching and Learning Japanese Martial Arts Vol. 1: Scholarly Perspectives

Sports & Outdoors

Donohue Ph.D., John

Friday Ph.D., Karl

Harrison-Pepper Ph.D., Sally

Hershey Ph.D., Lewis

Hurst Ph.D., G. Cameron

Monday M.A., Nyle

Taylor M.Sc., Kimberley

Van Horne Ph.D., Wayne

Varley Ph.D., H. Paul

Individual Sports

CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

<p>As soon as its first issue was published, readers of the Journal of Asian Martial Arts knew that it was unique in providing reliable materials on the subject. The journal brought a clearer perspective of Asian martial traditions. It presented valuable details on the history, theory and practice of various styles. Of greater importance, the journal set a standard for scholarly research to build the field. This anthology conveniently assembles sixteen journal articles that contain useful academic tools for studying the combative arts. Each chapter will prove special to all interested in the intellectual side to the martial arts. What martial art do you wish to research? Is it really a "martial" art? Or is it a martially-inspired art, practice only for health or for theatrical performance? — A number of chapters provide fine details for categorizing the variety of what we commonly refer to as "martial arts." While demonstrating the complexity of the martial arts as a field of study, the authors provide insights and methods that actually clarity and facilitate any discussion of this fascinating subject. Other chapters focus on the martial arts as living culture. We learn about the physical side of these arts just as we learn about other aspects of culture, except that often the martial arts being taught are from Asia. It is extremely important to understand just how a foreign art enters and adapts to another culture minus much of its associated history and culture. The social implications are enormous as shown in some of the chapters. Anyone who practices an Asian martial art may be exposed to related cultural aspects, such as Oriental philosophy and social customs. These can have an effect on the practitioner’s character. When elements of different cultures are absorbed, their embodiment can be seen in the individual’s daily actions. The question of violence is paramount in this potentially activity. With proper instruction, chances are better for a practitioner to experience a self-transformation that improves character, nurturing qualities such as patience and respect. This anthology’s table of contents hints the in-depth material that fills nearly 300 pages. This publication is for those who take researching martial traditions very seriously.</p>

Academic Approaches to Martial Arts Research

DeMarco M.A., Michael

Pieter Ph.D., Willey

Wingard M.Ed., Geoffrey

Laurent B.A., Douglas

Lowry B.S., David

Rosenberg Ph.D., Daniel

Lohse Ed.M., Frederick

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