Karate is changing, because the cultural background and motivation of the people practising it is changing. Two major trends dominate the development of karate: the preservation of orthodox teaching and that of continuous modifications. In particular the representatives of the strictly Japanese schools and organisations, opt to keep the spirit of Budo alive through karate.
Because karate is a part of Budo, we are dealing here with the case of the educational system, in which the values of Budo are used for the proper development of the student. This involves a long-term teaching and raising him by a normative system and daily discipline of physical exercise, or rather psychophysical. Karate, in its various forms, brings numerous educational values. However, a teacher chooses a student basing on their personality. Only a good teacher is able to properly use karate to positively influence the character and personality of a student. The master’s own example is especially important. And it is usually a long process. Karate, traditionally understood, teaches traditional values, and is recommendable as the educational system.
In general, the activities of most organisations and individuals-enthusiasts serve very well for the development of physical culture and the formation of pro-social attitudes of the young. So karate is used even in social rehabilitation. However, in the case of schools focused on competitive sports or extremely commercialized, pedagogical application would be potentially harmful.

The Japanese Self-Defense Forces as the guarantee of the state security: Land and Air Self-Defense Forces

The situation in the South-East Asia is unstable. The growing military power of China and its assertive expansion policy in the Pacific Ocean, with the attempt of unilateral appropriation of the entire South China Sea as well as recent events connected with the crisis on the Korean Peninsula, enforce certain changes in Japan safety strategy.
Necessity to oppose growing ambitions of Beijing and the North Korea unpredictable action are, at present, one of the most important challenges for Japan and its allies. Deterrence is closely connected with ability to stopping effectively hostile ambition to gain supremacy in the region. Having new generation equipment and armament, which surpass abilities of the potential aggressor, is one of the factors providing balance. The military conflict threat also provoked the need to raise the level of military cooperation with the major Japan ally – United States. In response to China military forces activity and defiance of the North Korea, exercises of the naval forces and air force were intensified. Changes in the region also influence military forces modernization programs and change of using Japan Self-Defense Forces. Japan begins developing and building its military capability in order to restore its military position in the region.

Light from the East. On “Eseje nie całkiem polskie” [Not Entirely Polish Essays] by Tokimasa Sekiguchi

The article discusses thoroughly the book “Eseje nie całkiem polskie” [Not Entirely Polish Essays] by Tokimasa Sekiguchi, a professor at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies. In his book, the author focuses on the issue of transculturality. The book consists of three parts. The first is mostly about historical and literary contexts. Sekiguchi writes about different aspects of works by Herbert, Miłosz and Szymborska. The second part is actually one essay entitled “Asia Does Not Exist”. Two issues are worthy of attention in this part. On the one hand, we can see Sekiguchi as a precursor of Postcolonial Studies; on the other, we see quite an original take on problems known from such classic works like “Orientalism” by E.W. Said. The third part of Sekiguchi’s book has a slightly different character. The essays here are more personal, and some of them could be read as a semi-literary works. A very thorough study of the essays leads the author of the article to the conclusion that the pivotal aspect of Sekiguchi’s work is a change of perspective: while Sekiguchi looks at Poland’s internal affairs from the outside, he has a lot to say to us, Poles and to other nations as well.

The development of the Asian art market and its fundamental relationship with the European (and American) markets may foster improvements in preventing illicit trade of cultural goods and help establish the scope of international regulations. In time, it may be confronted with more and more regulations and bodies. Looted art databases (including only patched information) and published auction catalogues, offer a partial ground for exploration. On the other hand, adding more layers to enforcement might not be as sufficient as improving the execution of existing laws by investing in more resources. The manifold issue of Asian art on the European market gives grounds for further exploration. A deep revision of regulations governing the market and the strive for uniformity is not the only aspect present in the literature, however the lack of common practices proves to be the main embers in the context of cross-boundary trade (especially in reference to the secrecy jurisdictions). In the case of relatively new markets, such as the Polish art market, the shortage of art experts in Asian art appraisal and valuation is an additional limit causing concerns in the provenance research related to that kind of goods. In fact, it drives owners to search for reliable opinion abroad and, therefore, expose their collections of dubious nature to export control, which, in the end, might cause the owner to conceal an unverified object. Despite specific guidance on taxation in relation to importing antiques, the very question of identification and classification of a given object poses difficulties without a verified source of information. It is, therefore, prerequisite to develop studies as well as establish a network of certified experts in this subject matter.

Shamanism in Japan

Japanese shamanism is a constantly evolving field of research, despite the fact that its roots still remain mysterious. One of the most common theories states that its nature is secondary, it might be related to tungusic or altai people, spread to Korea, Hokkaido and Ryūkyū Islands, then mixed with Polynesian and Melanesian beliefs, and with time became part of today’s Japanese Buddhism and shintō traditions. The article describes the characteristics of Japanese shamanism: it’s cosmology, silhouette of a shaman, most important myths and practices and also it’s important relation to Japanese theatre.
Shamans act like a bridge between humans, deities and otherworld, and they’re the only living people capable of coming in contact with the dead. In Japan there are two kinds of shaman: female priestess miko and Buddhist ascetic monk yamabushi. Japanese shamanism is one of the rarer examples of female-focused type. They believed only a woman could control the spiritual force. Miko is responsible for performing spirit possessions and fortunetelling. Yamabushi on the other hand was living deep in the mountains and by undergoing a strict training was able to enter trance state. He was close to local people who sought advice from him in many important everyday decisions, as well as regarding special events.
There are also other groups performing shamanistic practices, but they’re considered less authentic, mostly because they don’t have the abilities to experience ecstatic vision or to enter trance state. Among those are, for example: blind mediums itako, kitsunetsukai (fox or snake owners) and onmyōji (in and yo fortunetellers). In the article the Authors attempt to construct an alternative definition of a shaman – because the strictly narrow definition doesn’t seem to reflect the complexity of beliefs found in Japanese culture. Nowadays shamanism is popular among many Japanese new religions and sects, and also had its impact on pop culture, which furthers the impression of how important this subject matter is for Japan.

Characteristics of the Chinese civil law: Selected aspects

Chinese legal system changes dynamically. The conception of the “socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics”, introduced in 2014, confirms such theory. According to this idea, some legislative works in civil law were undertaken. The aim of the article is to present the historical aspects of this branch of law, its development in the Middle Kingdom and indicate as well the actual binding regulations of the civil law. The article seeks to provide an analysis of the general rules of the civil law which contains the first part of the new civil code. There are also mentioned some aspects of the marriage and property law in China.

I recognize that the foreign enterprise dealing with Chinese partner not willing to act and conduct business half blind, should beyond the law(s) in the books, search for and acknowledge with Chinese culture, customs, entrenched practices, try to make sure the contract he or she wants to be enforceable and effective, be executed and chopped by Chinese partner, with the stipulated genuine estimation of liquidated damages and mutual understanding of wrongdoing or err when performing contract and be ready and willing to negotiate contract not only before its signature but most importantly upon its execution and thereafter.

On Chinese searching for roots literature

In Chinese culture, the idea of “searching for roots” has being created from the beginning of 80’s in 19th century. Along with that, the trend of searching for roots has appeared in the literature. This article will present the genesis of that trend, its main topics and most important authors. That exceptional phenomenon in Chinese literature will be shown from social-historical point of view.

The vision of People’s Republic of China in the works of Tadeusz Różewicz “Sen kwiatu, serce smoka” [Dream of a flower, heart of a dragon], “Dwa skoki i już Pekin” [Two leaps and yet Beijing], “Przelot” [Overflight] i “W drodze” [On the way]

Tadeusz Różewicz, a 20th-century Polish poet, travelled to China in 1958. He wrote several prosaic texts about this travel and about his impression of China: “Sen kwiatu, serce smoka”, “Dwa skoki i już Pekin”, “Przelot” and “W drodze”. He sees stewardesses as actresses in a kind of theatre, he thinks about the psychical condition of a humans on the board of a plane. He writes about European and Chinese part of Shanghai’s identity, about Chinese characters’ meaning, about Chinese people and their Four Pests Campaign. An important part is the description of a Four Pests Exhibition. The poet sees China as a different world and he knows that many facts have been hidden.

The success of Krystian Lupa’s performances “Persona. Marylin” and “Wycinka” [Woodcutters] in mainland China: The analysis of the phenomenon based on the organizers’ reports

The research purpose was to examine the success of the Polish stage director Krystian Lupa’s performances presented in mainland China. The content of the study was divided into two separate articles. In the first article “The success of Polish stage director Krystian Lupa’s performances “Persona. Marylin” and “Wycinka” [Woodcutters] in mainland China – analysis of the phenomenon based on the organizers’ report”, the main source of research is the interview with Marcin Jacoby, who at that time was the manager of the Asia Project in the Adam Mickiewicz Institute, which is a prime mover of Polish contemporary theatre display in China. Lupa’s performances in China were displayed in Hong Kong at first, but at that time did not achieve any success. While the Chinese people were used to theatre involved in social issues, sated with a constructive image of the world and the place of the individual within society, Polish theatre plays encountered all-encompassing misapprehension. As Polish organisers often mentioned in media, the base for the breakthrough was a collaboration with the director of the newly-created Tianjin Grand Theatre, who invited Kristian Lupa with his “Persona: Marilyn” to continental China for the first time, while at the same time taking care of very good promotion and media coverage. In the first article, all “back room” activities that could contribute to success of  Lupa’s performances in China were included. An unveiling of these arrangements can help the reader understand what constitutes a success of polish modern theatre in China.

The culture of Chinese color: The symbolism of red

The article is devoted to the importance of red in the lives of Chinese people. The history of red symbolism and the emotions that this color evokes are analyzed. Attention was paid to the political aspects associated with the spread of red in the life of Chinese society. In addition to the political aspect, it is also a popular custom. For the Chinese, red is the most important of all colors, accompanies the Chinese during important events and celebrations such as the wedding or the Spring Festival. Red comes in many different shades, but typical Chinese red is cinnabar.

Jin in kung fu – physical basics

Traditional wushu and the way of its teaching is full of mythological issues. Because of that the training process is not always clear enough. That is the bad marketing for Chinese martial arts these days. The proper systematization and standards of teaching are of key importance. Many schools concentrate on teaching forms (mainly for sport competition) without understanding of movements and their application. Traditional martial arts training consists of a few elements, namely: forms practice, application, qigong, hardening, and the most important sparrings. All these features combined with understanding of biomechanics and at least basics of physics give a comprehensive knowledge of what kung fu/wushu is. Nowadays, literature explanations should be passed to students together with scientific interpretation. For example, developing of high momentum punches resembles strikes of a thunder or adopting some stances is like rooting. The article touches the basics of physics of jin which is one of the most common elements in traditional wushu. All fundamental physical quantities such as: momentum, kinetic energy and velocity are explained. Additionally, the last one for punches was studied since it is a component of mentioned above.

• Marcin Jacoby, Chiny bez makijażu, Wydawnictwo Muza, Warszawa 2016, ss. 448
  (Magdalena Łągiewska)
• Du Jing, Amber Coloured Gdansk, China Book Press 2016, ss. 607
  (Monika Paliszewska-Mojsiuk)

Wyjazd studyjny Adventure Club Uniwersytetu Gdańskiego do Japonii,Tokio – Kyoto,
21–29 czerwca 2017 r.
(Joanna Chmarzewska, Kuba Jakubczyk, Andrzej Michalski)