Martial Arts Along the Silk Road

The Silk Road was a central network of trade and cultural routes that connected ancient China and the Western world through the regions of Eurasia. The merchants who traveled across the road were constantly exposed to the dangers of looting and violence. Under such circumstances, they needed something to protect their precious finds and themselves from such danger. Martial arts, including self-defense techniques, became an integral part of merchant life. This project is implemented in collaboration with the Spanish National Research Council and the UNESCO Silk Road Online Platform This year, a baseline study on martial arts and related institutions and organizations across the world was first conducted to prepare for the "research on martial arts materials in countries along the Silk Roads." Based on the research results this year, target countries and martial arts will be selected for a field study in 2018.