Academic research
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The physics of karate: A chapter in modern karate history
The study of karate is multifaceted. In addition to its history, sports science, pedagogy, psychology, anthropology, sociology, philosophy, religious studies, media and film studies, researchers have also explored the physics of karate. First studies Scholarly interest in this subject in the Western Hemishpere likely began around the mid-1960s. On July 2, 1966, J. A. Vos Continue reading
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New study explores connections between Korean and Ryūkyūan martial arts
A new study in Martial Arts Studies—a peer-reviewed, open-access journal dedicated to high-quality research on the sociocultural dimensions of martial arts and combat sports—examines historical links between Korea and the Ryūkyū Islands in the development of karate. The study opens by critiquing the traditionalist historiography of taekwondo, grounded in the view positing that Korean martial Continue reading
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Annotated bibliography of Funakoshi Gichin
I am pleased that my new book is finally available: “An Annotated Bibliography of Funakoshi Gichin. Including a list of selected books and articles“ (Lulu, 2025). Considered by many to be the father of modern karatedō, Funakoshi Gichin (1868–1957) is undoubtedly one of the most important pioneers of modern karate, both as a martial art Continue reading
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Book review: The Six-Attribute Model to define martial arts
For the academic study of karate, it is also important to think outside the box. I always look to see what’s new on the market and what scholarly approach the authors have chosen for their research of other martial arts disciplines. What defines martial arts? Various authors have already investigated this question. At first glance, Continue reading
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Brief thoughts on the origins of karate
The exact origins of karate cannot be clearly reconstructed today. This would require extensive research in the East Asian region, which has not been carried out to the extent that would have been necessary. And in the end, it can be said that many questions remain unanswered. However, the Japanologist and sports scientist Heiko Bittmann Continue reading
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Review: German anthology on martial arts, combat sports and society
The ademic study of martial arts and combat sports is fortunately attracting growing interest. Michael Calandra, operator of the popular video podcast Martial Truth and himself a veteran master of various martial arts, even speaks of a golden age of martial arts research. A growing number of research works are now on the market. A Continue reading
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Analysis of Itosu’s letter in Hungarian academic magazine
There is a very interesting article about Itosu Ankō’s 糸洲安恒 (1831-1915) 1908 letter also known as the “Ten Lessons of Itosu” 糸洲十訓 (Itosu jūkun). For the Hungarian academic magazine Távol-keleti Tanulmányok (Journal of East Asian Cultures) the author Gábor Richárd Gottner (Master’s degree in Japanese Studies and member of the Japanese Studies Doctoral Programme of the Eötvös Continue reading
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When karate was introduced in Okinawan schools
There is a discussion about when exactly karate was introduced into Okinawan schools. In the literature we find the following: (1) Ryūkyū Shimpō (1905): “At the end of last year [1904], the staff of this [middle] school thought there might be some benefit to be found in karate, and immediately began researching the issue.“ (2) Continue reading
Investigations into the history of karate 