Wang Meng1, Olga Fedotova2, Elena Cherkashina3, Artur Kruszewski4, Ilia Cherkashin3,5 Wang Jingwen6
1 School of Foreign Languages of Anyang Institute of Technology, Anyang, China
2 Don State Technical University, Rostov-on-Don, Russia
3 Hainan Normal University, Haikou, Hainan Province, China
4 Jozef Pilsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
5 Moscow State University of Sport and Tourism, Moscow, Russia
6 Shandong Jiaotong University, Jinan, China
Author for correspondence: Elena Cherkashina, Hainan Normal University, No. 99, Longkun South Road, Haikou City, Hainan Province, China;
Wang Meng
Olga Fedotova https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1731-7154
Elena Cherkashina https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3477-8801
Artur Kruszewski https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3930-7304
Ilia Cherkashin https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3015-3003
Wang Jingwen https://orcid.org/0009-0003-7816-5059
Abstract
Background and Study Aim: Modern living conditions require a reassessment of many aspects of the problem of human development, preparing one for life in a multidimensional society based on a complex balance of interests. In a pedagogical perspective, this requires addressing issues directly related to the analysis of practices and factors that can influence the formation of ideas about danger and ways to overcome it, rivalry, and the struggle for primacy. The phenomenon of hand-to-hand combat without weapons systems (martial arts without weapons) is a unique model that reflects these aspects. The purpose of this study is to answer the following questions: How are hand-to-hand combat without weapons systems (martial arts without weapons) symbolically embodying competitive activity and certain aspects of national culture, selected and depicted in educational publications? What types of international and national martial arts weapons systems do the compilers of illustrated publications select, and how are the images of martial arts participants presented?.
Material and Methods: In this study, we assumed that the world of martial arts without weapons has been presented in educational publications over the years through didactic illustrations that create a visual representation of learning. Identifying the frequency of representation of unarmed combat phenomena and their qualitative uniqueness in educational texts allows us to identify the intentions of the publications' authors as communicators in shaping ideas about the world of agonistics. The empirical sample consisted of illustrated publications combining text and illustrations, including visual dictionaries, primers, copybooks, Wimmelbooks, and textbooks on morality and the rule of law. Of 122 modern publications from 27 countries, 36 publications from 14 countries were selected, covering unarmed combat. Three thematic publications from the 17th and 19th centuries were included.
Results: A trend toward selecting martial arts without weapons was identified, with boxing, judo and karate predominating, as well as national wrestling styles in countries with Turkic populations. The theme is presented primarily through the image of a child practicing hand-to-hand combat without weapons. French, Israeli, and Italian authors demonstrate martial arts without weapons by introducing animal imagery, thereby avoiding the depiction of the characters' ethnic and national affiliations. Russian publications do not cover traditional Russian martial arts without weapons, such as fistfighting, vorotok wrestling, and sambo. Wrestling styles cultivated in countries and republics with predominantly Turkic populations are widely represented, such as kuresh, khapsagay, and Bökh (Kazakh wrestling).
Conclusions: When choosing the opxions for representing hand-to-hand combat without weapons system there is a tendency to favor combat sports that were previously considered national but have now achieved international status (boxing, judo, karate). The use of images of women practicing these sports demonstrates the desire of educators and illustrators to overcome ingrained patterns of stereotypical thinking among people from predominantly Muslim countries. National martial arts are not represented in European publications. This publication may be an example of countering the tendency to promote neo-gladiatorism under the attractive name of mixed martial arts (MMA).
Keywords: agonology, boxing, educational publications, judo, karate, national types of wrestling
AMA
Wang M, Fedotova O, Cherkashina E, Kruszewski A, Cherkashin I, Wang J. Visual precedent in pedagogical projection as a means of forming ideas about hand-to-hand combat without weapons systems. Arch Budo J Innov Agon. 2026;22.
APA
Wang, M., Fedotova, O., Cherkashina, E., Kruszewski, A., Cherkashin, I., & Wang, J. (2026). Visual precedent in pedagogical projection as a means of forming ideas about hand-to-hand combat without weapons systems. Arch Budo Journal of Innovation Agonology, 22.
Chicago
Wang, Meng, Olga Fedotova, Elena Cherkashina, Artur Kruszewski, Ilia Cherkashin, and Wang Jingwen. 2026. “Visual Precedent in Pedagogical Projection as a Means of Forming Ideas about Hand-to-Hand Combat without Weapons Systems.” Arch Budo Journal of Innovation Agonology 22.
Harvard
Wang, M., Fedotova, O., Cherkashina, E., Kruszewski, A., Cherkashin, I. & Wang, J. (2026). Visual precedent in pedagogical projection as a means of forming ideas about hand-to-hand combat without weapons systems. Arch Budo Journal of Innovation Agonology, 22.
MLA
Wang, Meng, et al. “Visual Precedent in Pedagogical Projection as a Means of Forming Ideas about Hand-to-Hand Combat without Weapons Systems.” Arch Budo Journal of Innovation Agonology, vol. 22, 2026.
Vancouver
Wang M, Fedotova O, Cherkashina E, Kruszewski A, Cherkashin I, Wang J. Visual precedent in pedagogical projection as a means of forming ideas about hand-to-hand combat without weapons systems. Arch Budo J Innov Agon. 2026;22.
