[pepBarihepe]

How can one spread and share the Japanese culture through the internationalization of Japanese martial arts, such as kendo, iaido, aikido, etc.?

So, here are my two big questions:

1) Is this topic too ambitious for a 2500 word research paper? If so, does anyone have any suggestions for a better topic?

2) Are the resources out there (and available) to make this a good paper? If so, could you please leave me a link, a title, a name… anything that could be of use.

I don't think that's too ambitious. I did my senior thesis (25 pages) on the influence of the merchant class on culture in the Genroku period. One thing I think you need to do is to work your question into a workable thesis. Maybe something like this: A main reason for the interest in and spread of Japanese culture in the international community is the practice of martial arts (e.g., Kendo, Iaido, Aikido, etc).

A good way to organize your paper might be to look at historical accounts of martial arts exhibitions--if I remember correctly there may be an account in the book Samurai William (sorry, don't remember the author, but he also wrote Nathaniel's Nutmeg)--then trace the Western fascination with the martial arts in pop culture and ultimately explain how this fascination has served to spread Japanese culture.

[ApporpSothe]

Well, we had to turn in our topic proposals today. I decided to go with my idea, and I already began looking for some sources (in addition to those which have been suggested here).

Anyone know of any good books on Japanese martial arts in general?

[DoctorDeryOne]

Okay, I need some serious help from those of you who know a lot more about this sort of thing than I do.

For my English 102 class, we have to write a 2500 word (roughly 10 pages) research paper on a topic of our choice. The only real criteria for it is that 1) it has to be 2500 words minimum, 2) there have to be six sources (of a variety… not all books, websites, articles, videos, etc.), and 3) it has to be on a topic of some social, cultural, professional, historical, or literary importance. I have decided that I would like to do my paper on Japanese culture and/or history.

Thanks to a really good friend, I have my eye on a particular topic: How can one spread and share the Japanese culture through the internationalization of Japanese martial arts, such as kendo, iaido, aikido, etc.?

So, here are my two big questions:

1) Is this topic too ambitious for a 2500 word research paper? If so, does anyone have any suggestions for a better topic?

2) Are the resources out there (and available) to make this a good paper? If so, could you please leave me a link, a title, a name… anything that could be of use.

I appreciate any and all help. Here's to learning!

[jdynwa]

Could you say somethings about how many of the traits that Japanese culture emphasises (respect for elders, discipline, etc) are often observed in Japanese martial arts?
*edit* Found a link that lists/describes martial arts...dunno if it has any culture relationships, but...

[Eh085zE7]

Darrell Max Craig's "The Heart of Kendo". In it, he has a few chapters on conversations with a samurai. His teacher was a direct descendant of a long line of samurai.

I don't think it's too ambitious. After all, look at the numbers of masters theses that have been written on one small topic. I'm sure you'll do fine, and don't be afraid to use material from the books, just make sure you properly cite it in footnotes. That way, most of the hard work is already done for you. You might consider your own thoughts on what impact kendo and/or other martial arts have made on you, and incorporate that in your paper. Think of the various articles of clothing we wear in kendo, what the meanings of the pleats in the hakama are, why we wear hakama and keikogi, what kind of feeling does kendo give you during class/practice?

2500 words is really just around 2.5 pages, typed, double-spaced, on standard paper. The estimate is 1,000 words per page, although it also depends on your font, too. The wonderful thing about writing papers now is that you have a computer with a word-processing program on it. When I went to college back in the 1970's, computers were big hulking monsters that didn't understand word processing. It wasn't until the advent of the PC and the Apple lines, that home computers took off. Just don't get any white-out on your monitor screen, it's a bear to get it off once it dries.

[gyjsdtuwr]

We are allowed to use Times New Roman (or Arial), 12 point, double spaced...

Shall I point out that Arial uses a larger default letter spacing than Times on the same font size, in case you run out of words...

[Roxanjbra]

Shall I point out that Arial uses a larger default letter spacing than Times on the same font size, in case you run out of words...

Century school book is even better for that sort of stuff.

[Jffxljtw]

Here...this might help..
http://www.kendo-world.com/forum/sho...ht=kendo+books

[VUzgOhgv]

We are allowed to use Times New Roman (or Arial), 12 point, double spaced. We did an in-class writing last week and a 263-word assignment that I wrote took up almost an entire page, so that would work out to be about 10 pages for 2500 words. Maybe it's because of the MLA format (I have no idea).

Also, thanks for the help so far, everyone! This is one of the reasons why I love this place: awesome people willing to help a fellow kendoka out.

[Axxflcaj]

Well, today I'm going to talk to my teacher after/during class and see what she says.

[ENCOSEARRALIA]

this site is a little better...http://www.sotnak.com/primer/

[KixdricyArrip]

Thanks Hai_hai. XD

[cjOTw7ov]

Yeah, I found that out last semester when my English teacher told us that we had to use Times for that very reason.

Sadly, however, for this teacher, she cares more about word count than the number of pages, so the spacing trick won't work.

I'll post some more after class, which is in about an hour and a half from now.

[Anavaralo]

sorry, didn't post the link...http://www.japan-101.com/culture/index2.htm.

[verybigf]

So, here are my two big questions:

1) Is this topic too ambitious for a 2500 word research paper? If so, does anyone have any suggestions for a better topic?

Not too ambitious but you might find yourself having to write part of the paper using "24 point" Courier.

2) Are the resources out there (and available) to make this a good paper? If so, could you please leave me a link, a title, a name… anything that could be of use.

I appreciate any and all help. Here's to learning!

Yes and no. Yes, you should interview kendo sensei and other martial arts teachers for research paper material. No, there's a couple books out there that sum things up in one measly paragraph. You're going to have to blab on incoherently about Samurai-X, fan-boys, and otaku just to use as filler material for 9 pages.

You should have went with something like the "American Management Science in Japan". More than enough research material.