Editorial: The Mirrored Maze of Martial Arts Studies: From Research Network to Scholarly Association

Abstract

This editorial reflects on the status and development of martial arts studies as an academic field. It considers the differences between the notions of academic discipline and academic discourse. It suggests that the common metaphor of an academic ‘field’ is inappropriate for describing the terrain or topography of an academic discourse or discipline, and proposes that a better metaphor for describing this realm might be ‘mirrored maze’. After characterising this situation, the editorial recalls the recent history of the establishment of anglophone martial arts studies via the establishment and of the Martial Arts Studies Research Network. After almost a decade of development, the editorial announces the latest stage of the martial arts studies project: the creation of The Martial Arts Studies Association.