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Research
Donations to support our Association's projects
If you share our interest in this work, please make a donation - we welcome individual and group contributions. The Association is
run on a not-for-profit basis and all labour is done by volunteers and enthusiasts like you. Your donation directly supports the completion
of important projects. Contributions will be used to pay for essential equipment such as videotapes, photographic film, video editing and
finishing expenses. Go to the main page to make a donation.
Please visit this page often for updates on the status of projects. Your funding and financial support is greatly appreciated.
Current Projects Year 2003 - 2004:
1. Documentary film.
| Project: |
The social function of meihuaquan in rural society. |
| Began: |
September 2003 |
| Content: |
In areas of north China where the Boxer Rebellion of 1900 began, martial arts organizations
are an integral part of rural culture. Film footage documents the lives of the rural people and the complex interrelationships between
folk martial arts and evolving society. Incorporating interviews with historians, sociologists, cultural researchers and martial
artists, the film illustrates how fascinating and colourful performances and rituals of the folk martial art 'meihuaquan' act to
promote unity, mutual aid and the transmission of a unique historical legacy of practices and ideas.
Filmed in China primarily in 2003-2004, the documentary is supplemented with rare vintage video footage and photos.
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| Status: |
filming is now complete — footage includes interviews with noted historians,
sociologists and researchers.
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PENDING availability of funding and donations. Goal: $3500 CAN
View a more detailed description. |
2. Social Science Fieldwork Research.
| Project: |
"Social organization and social function of meihuaquan in modern rural society." |
| Content: |
Ongoing project to document the sociocultural context of meihuazhuang. Conducting and
filming oral history interviews with rural practitioners and masters, especially focusing on role of women masters and their
social function in village society, collecting folk stories as well as documenting performances, ritual and training methods.
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| Began: |
Stage 1 September 2003 to November 2003. Stage 1 completed- see resulting conference |
| Status: |
Stage 2 January 2003 - March 2004
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PENDING availability of funding and donations |
| Project: |
Presented lecture entitled "Folk Martial Arts and Ritual: Continuity through economic
change" at the 6 day international conference. The Direction of Japanese Budo in the 21st century: Past, Present, Future.
Conference held at the International Japan Culture Research Centre, Kyoto, Japan,
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| Abstract: |
Click here to view abstract |
| Forthcoming publications: |
"Folk Martial Arts and Ritual: Continuity through economic change"
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"United in Righteousness: The status of a peasant martial arts societies in north China." |
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"Folk martial arts: cultural and economic revitalization through cultural tourism." |
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"Meihuazhuang: a northern school of martial arts." |
3. Book Publication.
| Project: |
Meihuazhuang Qigong Methods. Series Two. Based on the lectures presented by Yan
Zijie in Canada in 2002. To be published by the Meihuazhuang Association, Regina, Saskatchewan.
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| Status: |
75% complete |
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PENDING availability of funding and donations |
Ongoing Projects
- convert analogue 8mm video collection to digital format
- convert analogue audiocassette lecture and interview collection to digital format
- translate and transcribe lectures
Past Projects
2003
- "Folk Martial Arts and Ritual: Continuity through economic change".
- Lecture presented at the six day international conference The Direction of Japanese Budo
in the 21st century: Past, Present and Future. Conference held at the International Japan Culture Research Centre, Kyoto,
Japan, November 18-23, 2003. link
- "Examination of the current situation of the Japanese folk martial art Bo-no-te".
- Presentation
at Kansai International Language Institute, Osaka, July 2003. This work was a comparative study of the unusual Japanese folk martial art
Bo-no-te (found in Aichi Prefecture, Japan) and Chinese Meihuaquan (found in Hebei province, China) folk martial arts associations.
The work examines how ritual plays a crucial role in the practice methods, belief system, public performance and continuity of the folk
martial organizations in both Japan and China. Please see Related Projects <> for more about Bo-no-te,
information on an ongoing project to examine folk martial organizations in Japan and China. Special thanks to the teachers and
practitioners of Bo-no-te in area of Toyota city, Aichi Prefecture, Japan for their generous assistance
2002
- Investigative research trip to Guangzong.
- January 2002. Photographic and video record of delivery of honorary plaques presented by the County government to
rural families who have made outstanding contributions to meihuaquan for many generations. See link for brief report and
photos. Link #5
2000
- "Alternative tourism and martial arts societies: sustainable development in rural China".
- Lecture examined use of small scale tourism for economic growth in underdeveloped regions of China. Examined how
cultural festivals organized by the rural meihuaquan folk organizations can serve as the basis for small scale cultural tourism.
Discussed the issues related to tourism development in this region, cultural protection and socioeconomic impacts. Presented at the
Luther College Interdisciplinary Seminar hosted by Luther College and the International Centre for Sustainable Global Development,
University of Regina. November 30, 2000.
- "Options for sustainable development in Northern China".
- Lecture examined how areas with few options for economic development may be able to utilize small scale cultural
tourism as a means to stimulate economic growth. The case study model of Guangzong county, Hebei shows that even very small amounts of
extra income in underdeveloped areas may lead to significant and improvements in the standard of living of rural people and encourage
other economic activity. Cultural tourism in Guangzong is based upon the cultural festivals organized by the rural meihuaquan folk
organizations. Lectures presented for World University Service Canada (WUSC), University of Regina. November 30, 2000.
1997–1998
"Impacts of Tourism Development: assessment and suggestions for the use of alternative tourism for
rural development in China."
| Research report for: |
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) |
| Financial support: |
CIDA Awards for Canadians |
| Award Recipient: |
Raymond P. Ambrosi, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada |
| Project Year: |
1997-1998 |
| Country: |
China, Hebei Province, Guangzong county |
| Abstract: |
Click here to view abstract |
| Topic Keywords: |
cultural tourism, special interest tourism, sustainable development, tourism planning,
socio-cultural impacts, carrying capacity, cultural revitalization, folk performances, festivals, lineages, folk associations,
martial art, meihuaquan, meihuazhuang, ethnography, Hebei, Guangzong county, China.
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"Special Interest Tourism: a method for economic diversification and cultural preservation in rural
Hebei province, China."
| Research report for: |
University of Regina, Graduate Studies and Research. |
| Financial support: |
CIDA Awards for Canadians, China Scholarship Council, Canada China Scholars Exchange Program,
The University of Regina. |
| Award Recipient: |
Raymond P. Ambrosi, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada |
| Project Year: |
1997-1998 |
| Country: |
China, Hebei Province, Guangzong county |
| Abstract: |
see link #3. Length: 245 pages
|
| Topic Keywords: |
cultural tourism, special interest tourism, sustainable development, tourism planning,
socio-cultural impacts, carrying capacity, cultural revitalization, folk performances, festivals, lineages, folk associations,
martial art, meihuaquan, meihuazhuang, ethnography, Hebei, Guangzong county, China.
|
| Abstract: |
Click here to view abstract |
"Impacts of Tourism Development: assessment and suggestions for the use of alternative tourism for
rural development in China."
| Research report for: |
The Guangzong County Government. Guangzong county, Xingtai District, Hebei Province, China. |
| Financial support: |
CIDA Awards for Canadians, China Scholarship Council, Canada China Scholars Exchange Program,
The University of Regina. |
| Award Recipient: |
Raymond P. Ambrosi, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada |
| Project Year: |
1997-1998 |
| Country: |
China, Hebei Province, Guangzong county |
| Abstract: |
Length: 13 pages
|
| Topic Keywords: |
cultural tourism, special interest tourism, sustainable development, tourism planning,
socio-cultural impacts, carrying capacity, cultural revitalization, folk performances, festivals, lineages, folk associations,
martial art, meihuaquan, meihuazhuang, ethnography, Hebei, Guangzong county, China.
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"Impacts of Tourism Development: assessment and suggestions for the use of alternative tourism for
rural development in China."
| Research report for: |
Unpublished report submitted to Guanggong County Government . English and Chinese translation. |
| Presented: |
1998. Guangzong county government, Hebei province, China. |
| Length |
Six pages. |
| Topic Keywords: |
cultural tourism, special interest tourism, sustainable development, tourism planning,
socio-cultural impacts, carrying capacity, meihuaquan.
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1997
- Meihuazhuang Qigong Methods: Eight Lectures.
- Based on the lectures presented by Yan Zijie in Canada in 1995. Published by the Meihuazhuang Association, Regina,
Saskatchewan, 1997. (English version only)
1995
- Three Essays on Meihuazhuang.
- Includes glossary of terms with Chinese characters and English explanation. Compiled especially for students interested
in Mandarin Chinese and martial arts. Published by the Meihuazhuang Association, Regina, Saskatchewan, 1995. (English version only)
- Discussing the Origin of Meihuazhuang and the Unity between its Theory and Martial Arts
- Unpublished paper presented to the University of Regina Department of Religious Studies. September 1995. (English and
Chinese versions).
1994
- Daoist Influences in a Northern School of Boxing
- Yan Zijie and Raymond Ambrosi. Published by the Meihuazhuang Association, Regina, Saskatchewan, 1994. . (English only)
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