The Historical Sociology of Japanese Martial Arts

The first long-term historical-sociological analysis of the development of Japanese martial arts. It uses the theoretical framework of figurational sociology and rich empirical data to make a new contribution to our understanding of the socio-cultural dynamics of state formation, all while considering the neglected role of women in martial arts.

Raúl Sánchez García is Lecturer in sociology of sport at the School of Sports Science, Universidad Europea Madrid, Spain and President of the Sociology of Sport working group within the Spanish Federation of Sociology (FES). He has practiced diverse combat sports and martial arts and holds a sh-dan in Aikikai aikid-.

1. Introduction, Part I: Warriors, 2. Archery and Sumo as First Traces of Martial Arts, 3. The Emergence of Composite Martial Ryu during the Two Courts and the Warring States Periods, 4. Excursus: the Origins of Martial ryu, Part II: Retainers, 5. The Stabilization of Martial Ryu During Early Tokugawa, 6. The Transformation and Diffusion of Martial Arts During Mid and Late Tokugawa Periods, Part III: Martial Artists, 7. The Identification of Martial Arts with the Japanese We-identity during Meiji, 8. Taisho Democracy as a Transition Phase in the Development of Martial Arts, 9. The Militarization of the Japanese Population Through Martial Arts in Early Showa, 10. Excursus: the Birth of Modern Martial Artists, 11. Reformulation, Expansion and Hybridisation of Japanese Martial Arts, 12. Epilogue