Women and Martial Art in Japan

Kate Sylvester

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English

Routledge
27 May 2024

Regional studies; Ethnic studies; Social research & statistics; Fencing

Series: ASAA Women in Asia Series

This book, based on extensive original research, examines the practice by women in a university sport setting of kendo, the Japanese martial art which, using bamboo swords as well as protective armour, and descended from traditional swordsmanship, instils in its practitioners, besides physical skills, societal values of etiquette and resilience as well connecting them to a “traditional” outlook, which includes a gendered cultural identity. The book therefore illustrates an unexplored example of identity construction in Japan, one which legitimises women’s sport experiences within a male-centric physical culture, unpacks the notion of “tradition” in kendo and unravels its stultifying control over women’s kendo participation, and discusses the androgenicity of women’s participation to highlight its subversive potential to develop women as leaders in sport, politics, and other fields which continue to be very male dominated in Japan.

By: Kate Sylvester
Imprint: Routledge
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 156mm,
Weight: 370g
ISBN: 9781032187846
ISBN 10: 1032187840
Series: ASAA Women in Asia Series
Pages: 186
Publication Date: 27 May 2024
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Kate Sylvester is a Research Associate at Lund University, Sweden.