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Review: An Introduction to the Historic, Cultural, and Social Phenomenon of Okinawan Karate
Academic works on the historical and cultural background of karate are rare. Many, once submitted as diploma or master’s theses at technical colleges or universities, usually lie dormant unpublished in drawers at home. However, it is an essential part of science that results must be published. Only in this way can they be utilized as… Continue reading
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Review: Bibliography of Japanese Karate and Kobudo
The academic study of the Japanese martial arts has only gained momentum in recent decades. An important component of research is the use of original sources. Even in the age of the Internet and online OPACs, a bibliography is an essential tool for researching sources. For the martial arts disciplines of karate and kobudō, Andreas… Continue reading
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Review: Book about Erwin von Baelz
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. Erwin von Baelz (1848–1913) was a German doctor and, together with German surgeon Julius… Continue reading
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Interview with Professor Heiko Bittmann
Heiko Bittmann is a Japanologist and sports scientist. He practises iaidō (Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū, 6th Dan), jōdō (Shintō Musō-ryū, 5th Dan) and karatedō (Shōtōkan, 3rd Dan). In the course of publishing his dissertation Karatedō – The Way of the Empty Hand, he founded his own publishing house. Mr. Bittmann has been an assistant professor since… Continue reading
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About the large number of karate associations
The reason for the numerous associations and federations in karate lies primarily in its nature. The number of active karateka increased significantly when various masters began to accept more than a handful of students and karate was introduced into school education at the beginning of the 20th century. With the spread of karate to Japan… Continue reading
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Review: Compendium of classical texts from the Tokugawa period
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. Historical texts are an indispensable source for the study of Japanese martial arts. However,… Continue reading
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Investigations into the history of karate 