F0513 The Origins and Development of Japanese Martial Arts and Western Interpretations

What exactly is a martial art, and how are they practiced in Japan and the West? This course will examine these questions and trace the historical development of the martial arts up to the present day. In particular, we shall consider how a sport and martial art might be differentiated, and the extent to which Western interpretations might be considered valid alternatives or misunderstandings of Japanese culture and teaching ideologies. The extent to which the popular image of Japanese martial arts can be attributed to the influence of the cinema will also be considered. Special attention will be paid to the development of Japanese karate, and the modern evolution that has resulted in many different schools and styles, each with its own emphasis and philosophy.
A reading list and detailed course outline will be given at the beginning of the semester. Students will be expected to participate actively in discussion activities, and prepare sufficiently before each class. It is hoped to introduce a practical element to the course in order that students might gain some first-hand experience of a typical Japanese-style martial art, and also be better able to evaluate the different approaches to teaching that will be discussed.