Martial Arts Ecology

Aesthetics, Philosophy and Cinematic Mediation

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by Wayne Wong

Type

Essays

Subject

Genre > Martial Arts

Keywords

Martial Arts, Kung Fu, Bruce Lee, philosophy

Publishing date

2026 (January 31, 2026)

Publisher

Edinburgh University Press

Language

English

Relative size

Physical desc.

Paperback • 304 pages
6 x 9 ¼ inches (15.5 x 23.5 cm)

ISBN

978-1-3995-2792-7

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Book Presentation:
What is martial arts cinema? While known for its dazzling action and emotional intensity, this book argues that martial arts cinema aspires to a deeper goal: cultivating tranquility amid conflict―a concept termed “martial ideation.” Moving beyond traditional analyses that emphasize authenticity or expressivity, the book reveals how martial arts movements embody profound intellectual meaning. By treating kung fu practices as embodied knowledge, it uncovers their tranquil philosophical essence―rooted in Confucian stability, Daoist fluidity and Buddhist sensitivity―and examines how these principles transcend physical combat to shape narratives, characters and visual storytelling.

From Bruce Lee’s iconic fight scenes to modern interpretations such as The Grandmaster, Kung Fu Panda and Everything Everywhere All at Once, the book bridges philosophy and aesthetics across cinema, animation and gaming. Accessible to scholars and fans alike, this groundbreaking study positions martial arts cinema as a global, multi-media phenomenon that transcends traditional genre and cultural boundaries.

About the Author:
Wayne Wong is lecturer in East Asian Studies at the University of Sheffield. His research focuses on the politics, aesthetics, and philosophy of global martial arts and action cinema. He has published in peer-reviewed journals, such as Asian Cinema, Global Media and China, Journal of Contemporary Chinese Art, Archiv Orientální, and Martial Arts Studies. He has also contributed chapters in edited volumes such as Fighting Stars: Stardom and Reception in Hong Kong Martial Arts Cinema, The Cinema of Stephen Chow, Afro-Futurism in Black Panther, and The Worlds of John Wick. He is an editor of the Martial Arts Studies journal.

Press Reviews:
In a breakthrough study of a fabulous zone of cultural creativity, Martial Arts Ecology thinks through real martial arts practices to draw out the philosophical and aesthetic principles embodied by iconic performers in Hong Kong cinema. Tracing this legacy through to global action cinema, digital animation and game media today is a beautiful achievement. ― Meaghan Morris, University of Sydney

See the publisher website: Edinburgh University Press