Home > Bibliographies > AAST298J (Spring 2004)

Martial Arts by Sam Lin

Introduction

The purpose of this bibliography is to serve as a pool of resources for martial arts in America. Martial arts originated in Asia hundreds of years ago and exemplifies an ever-changing, dynamic, and widely practiced art form that continues to grow in popularity even today. New cultures have adopted, changed, and augmented the martial arts. This process of adaptation is the over reaching theme of my bibliography, specifically in terms of the United States. films, literature, and web pages have all been created and dedicated to the practice of martial arts.

The origins of the "first" martial arts are not fully clear. Some credit Chinese culture whereas others look to Japan. What is certain is the adaptability of martial arts. Countries around the world have adopted martial arts adding their own influences. America, for instance, can be credited for the addition of boxing and some modern forms of wrestling. My point is that martial arts are a universal art form. Although the focus of this bibliography is on Asian American martial arts, hopefully, this selection of sources will show that martial arts is not limited to a single culture, identity, or medium.

Books

• Hee, Il Cho. The Complete Tae Kwon Do Hyung. Burbank, Unique Publications: 1984.
• Gichin, Funakoshi. Karate-Do Kyohan: the Master Text. Trans. Tsutomu Ohshima. New York: Kodansha International, 1973.
• Funakoshi, Gichin. Karate-Do: My Way of Life. New York: Kodansha International, 1981.

  Gichin Funakoshi is considered by many to be the "father of Karate," the most popular form of martial arts in the world. This book explores the philosophical nature of martial arts. Funakoshi outlines the importance of his "twenty guiding principles" which not only apply to martial arts, but to general conduct in life. Examples of his principles include: "Never forget that karate begins and ends with respect," and "Rather than physical technique, embrace mental technique." Funakoshi creates an ideal structure and identity, which a serious student of Karate or martial arts should follow. Master Funakoshi's teachings and philosophies are still practiced in both American and Japanese dojos and continue to influence martial arts culture.

• Gracie, Renzo, Royler Gracie, John Danaher and Kid Peligro. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Technique. Montpelier: Invisible Cities Press, 2001.

  Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Technique is a book encompassing all styles of Jiu-Jitsu martial arts. Explaining the theory, technique, and origins of Japanese Jiu-Jitsu, this book pays special attention to the influence of Asian culture on martial art forms around the world. It explains how Jiu-Jitsu, which means "gentle art" or "soft art," is considered an art form in Japan and migrated to Brazil and eventually America. Theoretical considerations include effective positioning, application of leverages, and grappling techniques. Photographs illustrate these components and may serve as teaching tools. This book also provides brief histories of different martial arts cultures, including MMA competitions (mixed martial arts).

• Gracie, Renzo, and John Danaher. Mastering Jujitsu. Champaign: Human Kinetics, 2003.
• Hyams, Joe. Zen in the Martial Arts. New York: Bantam Books, 1982.
• Lawler, Jennifer. The Secrets of Tae Kwon Do. Lincolnwood, Masters Press: 1998.
• Lee, Bruce. The Art of Expressing the Human Body. Ed. John R. Little. Boston: C.E. Tuttle Co., 1998.
• Lee, Bruce, and M. Uyehara. Bruce Lee's Fighting Method: Advanced Techniques. Burbank: Ohara Publications, 1977.
• Lee, Bruce, and M. Uyehara. Bruce Lee's Fighting Method: Basic Training. Burbank: Ohara Publications, 1977.
• Lee, Bruce, and M. Uyehara. Bruce Lee's Fighting Method: Self-Defense Techniques. Burbank: Ohara Publications, 1976.
• Lee, Bruce, and M. Uyehara. Bruce Lee's Fighting Method: Skill in Techniques. Burbank: Ohara Publications, 1977.
• Lee, Bruce. Jeet Kune Do: Bruce Lee's Commentaries on the Martial Way (The Bruce Lee Library Vol. 3). Ed. John R. Little. Boston: C.E. Tuttle Co, 1997.

  This book is devoted to Jeet Kune Do, a martial art created by Bruce Lee. Although written primarily as a technical manual to showcase the art form, Bruce Lee delves into the philosophy of his fighting style. He comments on other forms of martial arts, critiquing them by pointing out potential weaknesses and strengths. This is an example of martial art forms "talking" with each other, something commonplace and crucial to further developing these cultural practices. Jeet Kune Do was criticized by many Chinese for being a Western adaptation of Kung Fu. Mainstream acceptance of Bruce Lee and Jeet Kune Do illustrates how Asian and Asian American cultures influence one another. Jeet Kune Do contributed to the popularization of Eastern martial arts in America.

• Sprague, Martina. The Science of Takedowns, Throws, and Grappling for Self-Defense. Hartford: Turtle Press, 2003.
• Whang, Sung Chul, Jun Chul Whang, and Brandon Saltz. Taekwondo: The State of the Art. New York: Broadway Books, 1999.
• Wong, Harry. Dynamic Strength. Hollywood: Unique Publications, 1990.
• Wong, Kiew Kit. The Art of Shaolin Kung Fu: The Secrets of Kung Fu for Self-Defense, Health, and Enlightenment. Boston: Tuttle Co., 2002.

Films

• Beginner's Guide to Karate. Dir. Y. Ishimoto. Rising Sun Productions, 2003.
• Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Dir. Ang Lee. Sony Pictures, 2000.

  Ang Lee's movie, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon had a huge impact on Asian and American box offices. The movie was considered a major success by the public and critics alike. The movie was nominated for ten Academy Awards, including "Best Cinematography," "Best Foreign Language Film," and "Best Picture." Prior to the release of this movie, an Asian martial arts film being nominated for an Academy Award was a laughable notion. However, after its release, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon created cultural awareness, showing that martial arts films can be successful and appreciated as an art form by American audiences. The embrace of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon by American audiences was a phenomenal step forward for martial arts.

• Five Deadly Venoms. Dir. Cheh Chang. 1978. DVD. Beverly Wilshire Filmworks/Telefilms International. 2000.

  This movie was originally released in 1978 but re-released on DVD in 2000 due to a popular cult following. This movie is one of the most popular mainstream Kung Fu movies to reach the United States. The cultural influence of this movie was profound as it gave way to a large number of other martial arts forms to the United States. Five Deadly Venoms, directed by Cheh Chang inspires many Asian American directors including John Woo. The cultural impact is not limited to film. Rap groups such as the Wu-Tang Clan, who quote freely and claim inspiration from many of the original Kung-Fu movies, reference the "Five Deadly Venoms" in their songs.

• Master of the Flying Guillotine. Dir. Jimmy Wang Yu. 1975. DVD. Pathfinder Home Ent., 2002.
• Shotokan Karate's Ray Dalke Kata. Dir. Y. Ishimoto. Rising Sun Productions, 2003.

Video Games

• Rise to Honor. San Mateo: Sony Computer Entertainment of America, 2004.

  Rise to Honor is not what people consider a traditional bibliographic source. It is a video game published by Sony Computer Entertainment of America in February 2004. Rise to Honor was a milestone in many ways. The game was produced by and starred Jet Li, an international Asian movie star. By using Jet Li as the main character, Rise to Honor exemplifies the merging of popular American culture, eastern culture, and martial arts culture. Previously, the "main character" in many martial arts games made by American developers was not Asian. Sony's Asian and American development studios produced Rise to Honor as a joint effort. The game features voice-overs and computer renderings of Jet Li, and shows that American consumer markets fully embrace martial arts in video games. With the emergence of video games as the second most profitable entertainment industry after movies, the creation of games such as Rise to Honor highlights the growing influence and acceptance of Asian culture and martial arts culture in American entertainment. By crossing over from film to video games, martial arts is widening its cultural influence.

Websites

• Anderson, Victor. "The Four Pillars of Judo." 2003. Fightingarts.com. Date Accessed: 3 Aug. 2006. <http://www.fightingarts.com/reading/article.php?id=146>.
• Caile, Christopher. "Budo Belts and Ranks: the Forgotten Symbolism." 2003. Fightingarts.com. Date Accessed: 3 Aug. 2006. <http://www.fightingarts.com/reading/article.php?id=89>.
• FightingArts.com. Ed. Christopher Caile. 2003. Date Accessed: 3 Aug. 2006. <http://www.fightingarts.com/>.

  This website is an index of martial arts sources and information. There is discussion about almost every martial art imaginable, ranging from articles on techniques, to the origins and philosophy of each unique style. Moreover, there is a section dedicated to "Asian Arts and Culture" and how they relates to martial arts. The website is operated and written by several contributing authors, each discussing the importance of key concepts in martial arts, such as discipline and responsibility. Moreover, the website contains many images and photographs of martial arts performances.

• Hooker, Dennis. "A Mosaic Called Aikido." The Aikido FAQ. Date Accessed: 3 Aug. 2006. <http://www.aikidofaq.com/essays/mosaic.html>.
• Martial Arts Museum. 2006. Martial Arts History Museum. Date Accessed: 3 Aug. 2006. <http://www.martialartsmuseum.com/>.

  Located in Santa Clarita, California, the Martial Arts History Museum is a great source of information. Although still under construction, the building of the museum is testament to the growing popularity of martial arts in America. A non-profit organization, the museum's mission is to raise awareness of martial arts and Asian culture in America. Government funding for this museum is evidence that martial arts in American is culturally significant and legitimizes martial arts as a art form.

• Ledyard, George. "The Use of Atemi (Striking) in Aikido." Articles About Aikido. May 29, 2006. Aikido Eastside. Date Accessed: 3 Aug. 2006. <http://www.aikieast.com/atemi.htm>.

  George Ledyard discusses the basic theory behind the martial art form of Aikido. He outlines how striking is used in Aikido and explains that this martial art was created as a form of defense. Practitioners of Aikido redirect and neutralize an attacker's strength thereby directing the flow of energy from the attacked back to the attacker. Ledyard describes the philosophy, execution, and theory of Aikido as a developed art form.

• Nurse, Paul McMichael. "The Beginnings of Kodokan Judo, 1882-1938." 2003. Fightingarts.com. Date Accessed: 3 Aug. 2006. <http://www.fightingarts.com/reading/article.php?id=53>.
• Ohlenkamp, Neil. "The Study of Kuzushi." 2003. Fightingarts.com. Date Accessed: 3 Aug. 2006. <http://www.fightingarts.com/reading/article.php?id=54>.
• Ross, Tom. "Presidential Judo." 2003. Fightingarts.com. Date Accessed: 3 Aug. 2006. <http://www.fightingarts.com/reading/article.php?id=167>.
• Short, Paul D. "The Development and Psychology of Bushido and Budo: The Martial Ethos of Japan". December 12, 1995. The Aikido Faq. Date Accessed: 3 Aug. 2006. <http://www.aikidofaq.com/essays/index.html#Budo.2>.
• Warrener, Don. "The Passing of a Great American Karate Icon-Pioneer & Master - Richard Kim." 2003. Fightingarts.com. Date Accessed: 3 Aug. 2006. <http://www.fightingarts.com/reading/article.php?id=326>.