Friday Academic Review Tome: Limits of Understanding in the Study of Lost Martial Arts

Title: Limits of Understanding in the Study of Lost Martial Arts
Author: Eric Burkart
Summary:
Eric Burkart’s article "Limits of Understanding in the Study of Lost Martial Arts" delves into the complexities surrounding the reconstruction of historical European martial arts (HEMA) techniques based on medieval fight books. Burkart, from Trier University’s Department of Medieval History, presents a nuanced exploration of the epistemological challenges and methodological considerations in interpreting and reviving these ancient combat techniques.
Burkart's study is organized around the notion of "embodied technique," drawing on the works of Ben Spatz and Michael Polanyi to explore the relationship between practice, technique, and knowledge transmission. He defines technique as "the knowledge content of specific practices" and highlights the semiotic references between practice, technique, and the symbols that represent them.
The primary challenge Burkart addresses is the "tacit knowing" embedded in historical records, which modern practitioners attempt to decode and transform into explicit knowledge. He argues that the limited information in fight books regarding the execution of techniques results in modern HEMA practices being more accurately described as contemporary constructions rather than authentic reconstructions of medieval techniques. This aligns with Polanyi's concept of tacit knowledge, which suggests that certain skills and knowledge are inherently difficult to articulate and record.
Burkart parallels the discourse in HEMA with debates in musicology, where scholars and practitioners have long discussed the authenticity of recreating medieval music based on incomplete notation systems. He points out that just as the historical performance movement in music aimed to recreate the sound of medieval music using original or replica instruments, HEMA practitioners use replicas of medieval weaponry and armour to experiment with and revive historical combat techniques.
The article emphasizes that techniques cannot be fully understood or transmitted solely through written records; they are inherently tied to the embodied practices and cultural contexts of their time. This is evident in the way fighting techniques were not just physical actions but elements of broader social systems that conveyed status, identity, and cultural values.
Burkart also notes that modern interpretations of medieval fighting techniques are influenced by the practitioners' own embodied knowledge and training in contemporary martial arts. This creates a dialectical relationship between historical research and modern practice, where each informs and shapes the other.
In addressing the question of what constitutes technique and how it is related to practice, Burkart draws on the concept of "techniques of the body" introduced by Marcel Mauss. This concept underscores the idea that techniques are socially acquired and transmitted, varying across different societies and historical periods.
Burkart advocates for a comprehensive approach that integrates cultural history and martial arts studies to understand the mediality of historical records of technique. He suggests that a twofold ethnographic perspective is necessary: one that examines medieval cultures of fighting from a historical standpoint and another that considers modern HEMA practices as contemporary fighting cultures influenced by historical imaginations and scholarly interpretations.
Furthermore, Burkart discusses the implications of this research for modern practitioners and historians. He stresses the importance of acknowledging the limitations of our understanding while appreciating the rich, interpretative efforts involved in reviving these martial arts. He also highlights the potential for cross-disciplinary collaboration, where insights from anthropology, history, and performance studies can enrich our approach to studying and practising HEMA.
By framing medieval fight books as attempts to document and organize practical knowledge, Burkart's article sheds light on the inherent limitations and possibilities in studying and reconstructing lost martial arts. It calls for a critical reflection on the ways in which historical techniques are understood, interpreted, and practised in the modern context.
In conclusion, Burkart’s article provides a thoughtful examination of the challenges in reviving lost martial arts. It urges scholars and practitioners alike to adopt a reflective and interdisciplinary approach, recognising the complex interplay between historical knowledge and modern practice. His insights contribute significantly to the ongoing discourse in HEMA and the broader field of martial arts studies, encouraging a deeper understanding of the cultural and embodied dimensions of martial techniques.
Bibliographic Entry:
Burkart, Eric. "Limits of Understanding in the Study of Lost Martial Arts." Acta Periodica Duellatorum, Conference Proceedings, International Medieval Congress, Leeds, July 2016, pp. 5-11. DOI: 10.1515/apd-2016-0008.

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