Keith Vargo concludes his fascinating exploration of why martial artists find tales such as the Bodhidharma legend and Zen in the Art of Archery so compelling.
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General Martial Arts History
Since time began, every culture has developed fighting styles out of necessity. Modern martial arts history categorizes Western heroes and martial societies as practicing martial arts, which opens up an interesting can of martial arts worms.
Besides the ancient martial arts heroes of China (Shaolin), Japan (samurai) and Korea (Hwarang), the world has witnessed great fighters like the Spartans, Vikings, Mongols, Huns, Romans, Ottomans, Macedonians, Goths, Knights, Persians and Celts. Warriors like Alexander the Great, Richard the Lionheart, Hannibal, Hercules, Eric the Red, Hector, Attila, Achilles and even Siddhartha (Buddha) trained in systematic ways of fighting and lived by a code of ethics.
This leads us to ask several intriguing questions. Did martial arts originate from China, India or Greece? Or have they risen independently? How did they spread? Many arts have come and gone. Recent efforts hinged on nationalism are bringing back lost martial arts, especially in Europe. So why has Chinese martial arts consistently endured and flourished more than in any other country? New evidence suggests Brazilian capoiera came from China rather than Africa. There’s a great history book waiting to be written.
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Zen in the Art of Archery, Bodhidharma and the Shaolin Temple: Martial Arts Fact or Fiction? (Part 2)
– March 5, 2013
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Zen in the Art of Archery, Bodhidharma and the Shaolin Temple: Martial Arts Fact or Fiction? (Part 1)
– March 4, 2013
Martial arts history is replete with tall tales of philosophy and heroism. Zen in the Art of Archery and the story of Bodhidharma traveling to the Shaolin Temple are two prime examples. Why do martial artists find them so compelling? Keith Vargo explains.
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Martial Arts History: Michael Jai White, Kayla Harrison, Tim Kennedy, William Cheung, Tim Larkin, Isaac Florentine and Other Martial Arts Leaders on the Influence of Black Belt Magazine
– December 5, 2012
In this exclusive video, martial arts notables share how Black Belt magazine has built an industry, has educated the public about international styles and has served as an authoritative source to shape the career paths of future martial artists.
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2012 Martial Arts Departures — Part 1: Jerry Poteet and Joe Lewis
– November 2, 2012
BlackBeltMag.com curates a retrospective honoring the instruction, insight and innovation these men shared with Black Belt magazine, its readers and the martial arts community at large in ways both large and small.
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Download Your New FREE Guide to Hoplology — The Science of Fighting and Martial Arts Weapons!
– September 28, 2012
Have you ever wondered if — beyond authoritative martial arts publications such as Black Belt — there was a scientific endeavor to study how humans fight? Well, there is. And it’s called hoplology — the behavioral science that examines and catalogs the entire spectrum of conflict.
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How Hurricane Irene Almost Scored a Submission on Black Belt’s Photo Shoot With Two MMA Champions
– November 29, 2011
Leave it to a hurricane named Irene to nearly scuttle the first-ever joint photo shoot and interview with UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar and Bellator lightweight champ Eddie Alvarez—an event that was months in the making.
Just 24 hours before we were scheduled to snap our first picture, lower Manhattan, where
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Capoeira: The Dance Art of Martial Arts
– November 14, 2011
Some 400 years ago in Angola, on the west coast of Africa, a form of combat practiced by the natives was beginning to take shape in what we would today call a martial art. Four centuries later, capoeira is practiced in that South American nation known as Brazil. It no
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The Man Behind Bruce Lee’s Tao of Jeet Kune Do: Gilbert Johnson
– September 23, 2011
On the eve of Tao of Jeet Kune Do’s release, public awareness will be awakened again to the legendary man who wrote this book: Bruce Lee. As a child, I used to call him “Uncle Bruce.” But there was another special human being who I regard just as warmly. And when
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Bruce Lee’s Tao of Jeet Kune Do: What Kind of Book Is It? Three Contributors to the Expanded Edition Sound Off!
– September 19, 2011
Black Belt will proudly release the expanded edition of Bruce Lee’s Tao of Jeet Kune Do in October 2011. This redesigned presentation of the classic jeet kune do book will feature an array of enhancements, including translations of Lee’s Chinese script, digital refurbishments of Lee’s original illustrations and sketches, a
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Black Belt Hall of Fame Video Documentary – 2011 Man of the Year: Michael Dillard
– July 27, 2011
This special martial arts video presentation was designed to celebrate the induction of MIchael Dillard into the 2011 Black Belt Hall of Fame as Man of the Year. This mini-documentary was shown at the 2011 MAIA SuperShow in Las Vegas, Nevada, on July 23, 2011, to an audience of hundreds
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