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The blog as a book
Karate’s history is richer and more complex than popular narratives often suggest. Based on this blog, Investigations into the history of karate (Lulu, 2025) brings together a diverse collection of essays that explore the art’s overlooked figures, pivotal moments, and forgotten contexts. From the pioneers of Hanashiro Chōmo and Yabu Kentsū to the appearance of karate Continue reading
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When Kōdōkan integrated karate into its curriculum
Kanō Jigorō (嘉納治五郎, 1860–1938) undertook a visit to Okinawa and Kyūshū in 1927. Although no photographs of the trip are known to exist today—indeed, the Kōdōkan Archives has no record of any—it was prominently documented in the Kōdōkan publication Sakkō, No. 3 (1927), which featured a detailed account of Kanō’s stay. Interestingly, just two issues Continue reading
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Kōdōkan karate “pioneer“ Iwabuchi Makoto
As early as August 1908, Kanō Jigorō 嘉納治五郎 (1860–1938), founder of the Kōdōkan, observed a group of Okinawan middle school students demonstrating karate during the Youth Bujutsu Exhibition at the Kyōto Butoku Kai. Several years later, in April 1911, he invited a small group of third-year students from the Okinawa Prefectural Normal School—then visiting Tōkyō—to perform their 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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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
Investigations into the history of karate 