Schools of Martial Arts
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Summary
Editor's review
In terms of reading value, this book is suitable as an introductory read for understanding the general landscape of Chinese martial arts schools. It avoids overly profound technical details and sectarian disputes, focusing instead on informative summary and presentation, which helps readers quickly build a basic understanding of the diverse landscape of Chinese martial arts. The book's distinction between historical legends and reliable history in certain schools also reflects a degree of critical awareness.
It should be noted that the book is positioned more toward cultural popularization than as a professional martial arts manual. For readers hoping to deeply study the fighting essence and inner techniques of a particular school or to undertake systematic practice, the book's depth may be insufficient. Yet as a window, its value lies in offering a relatively clear organization and map-like presentation of a vast and complex martial arts system, and it serves well as a guide to enhancing cultural literacy and sparking further interest in exploration. Better illustrations would have aided comprehension.
Who it's for
A good fit for
- General readers interested in traditional Chinese culture and martial arts history
- Beginners who wish to systematically understand the landscape of martial arts schools and build a foundational knowledge framework
- People in physical education, cultural research, or related creative fields who need background knowledge of martial arts
- Enthusiasts who view martial arts as a cultural phenomenon rather than merely a fighting technique
Not a good fit for
- Advanced practitioners seeking deep training methods and practical combat techniques of a particular martial arts school
- Professional martial arts researchers expecting extensive high-definition movement illustrations and step-by-step instruction
Reading tips
- Begin by browsing the table of contents to grasp the overall framework, then select chapters on schools of interest for deeper reading
- While reading, consult reliable documentaries or video materials to aid understanding of the body mechanics and power characteristics of different schools
- For historical figures and events mentioned in the book, further consult more specialized works on history or martial arts history for verification and expansion
About the publisher
Founded in 1982, Modern Press is a Chinese publisher that serves general readers across a diverse range of subjects. Judging from its catalog, its publishing focuses on classical poetry, Eastern philosophy, psychological research and application, popular science, and modern poetry, along with history, biography, and children's books. The Book of Songs, the illustrated vernacular edition of the Classic of Mountains and Seas, The Complete Poems of Dai Wangshu, and Buddhism in the Vegetable Roots reflect efforts to make traditional culture and poetry accessible; works by Carl Gustav Jung such as The Development of Personality and Understanding Your Psychological Type, together with titles from the Ivy International Education Alliance, show sustained attention to psychology and educational reading; and Stephen Hawking's works and the illustrated two-volume Brief History of Everything and A Brief History of Time indicate a commitment to popular science. Its authors include figures such as Qu Wanli, Xu Ke, Dai Wangshu, and Jung, and its publishing emphasizes retelling classics and accessible, illustrated presentation. Because public information is limited, this summary is based only on the titles in our catalog.
Contents
- 版权信息
- 序言
- 功夫之源——武术萌芽
- 人类祖先狩猎而萌生武术
- 太昊伏羲教民以木为兵器
- 轩辕黄帝用干戈进行训练
- 战神蚩尤初创五种兵器
- 大禹干戚舞和夏后的九伐
- 兴起时期——扎根华夏
- 春秋时期兴起拳勇角力
- 老子以道解说武学真谛
- 孔子以儒家之道论述武术
- 春秋秦汉剑术蓬勃兴起
- 秦汉崇尚角抵与手搏运动
- 神医华佗初创健身五禽戏
- 蓬勃发展——武行天下
- 达摩创立少林禅武祖庭
- 少林棍僧协助建立大唐
- 女皇武则天设立武举制度
- 许宣平创三世七太极拳
- 李白对剑术的非凡造诣
- 横空出世——武林雄风
- 赵匡胤改进武术训练制度
- 岳飞强化军营武术训练
- 福居觉远荟萃中华武术
- 张三丰开创武当内家功夫
- 强国强身——精武英雄
- 俞大猷精研武术著《剑经》
- 王郎仿自然创立螳螂拳
- 清初诸帝重视武术传承
- 少数民族武术传承不衰
- 达于极盛的武侠精神
- 霍元甲精武会爱国强身
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About the author
Xiao Dongfa (1949–2016), whose ancestral home was Tianjin and who was born in Shenyang, was a professor and doctoral supervisor at the School of Journalism and Communication, Peking University, and director of its Institute of Modern Publishing. An important scholar in editing and publishing studies, he focused on the history of Chinese books, publishing history, and yearbook studies. He edited the History of Chinese Editing and Publishing and Chinese Libraries of Book Collecting, and led the National Social Science Fund key project A General History of Chinese Publishing, laying a solid foundation for the organization and narration of Chinese publishing history. Beyond academic writing, he attended to Peking University's institutional history and humanistic traditions, writing works such as Character: From the Imperial University to Old Peking University, Exemplars: Former Residences and Anecdotes of Peking University Notables, and Scenes: Yanyuan Landscapes and Cultural Heritage, which recount campus memories and personal stories with warmth. His works also touch on the four treasures of the study, garden architecture, and academic writing standards. Some 491 of his titles are held in the library, spanning language and culture, biography, and architecture, and combining scholarly rigor with accessible readability.
