In the global world of the twenty-first century, martial arts are practised for self-defense and sporting purposes only. However, for thousands of years, they w

This meticulously researched and eminently readable study considers the economic, political, and religious factors that led Shaolin monks to disregard the Buddh

Featuring contributions from leading Chinese scholars and practitioners, this is the most authoritative study ever written on this topic. Including numerous ill

Secret training manuals, magic swords, and flying kung fu masters—these are staples of Chinese martial arts movies and novels, but only secret manuals have a

The seminal work on the evolution, aesthetics and politics of modern martial arts fiction from one of China's leading scholars.