A Study on the Development Status of the Wuchang Eighteen Martial Arts under the Procedural Grounded Theory

Abstract

In 2021, the Chinese government proposed the protection of intangible cultural heritage and formulated plans and outlines for this purpose. This paper, aiming to explore the current development status of Wuchang Eighteen Martial Arts under the Procedural Grounded Theory, is dedicated to better safeguarding and transmitting China's outstanding traditional culture. The study utilizes research methods such as literature review, oral history, and on-site investigations. The research findings are as follows: 1. Within the core domain of habits, the cultural development of Wuchang Eighteen Martial Arts exhibits continuity and inheritance. People have started to unearth more information, forming preliminary processes for excavation, preservation, and development. 2. In the core domain of fields, the development of Wuchang Eighteen Martial Arts is initially influenced by historical backgrounds, resulting in periods of stagnation. However, with current community and public support, these practices are now back on track. 3. In the core domain of cultural capital, the exclusivity of Wuchang Eighteen Martial Arts imparts distinctive advantages. Politically, its cultural soft power is considered a cultural resource and capability with multiple values. By exploring and utilizing these resources and capabilities, contributions can be made to societal sustainable development and cultural prosperity.

Therefore, based on the Procedural Grounded Theory, we undertake research, distilling the core concept of the "Vitality of Wuchang Eighteen Martial Arts" from the central domains of habits, fields, and cultural capital. This concept reveals the inherent principles it embodies when facing the complex and ever-changing social environment.