Sociologies (Oct 2020)
Examen sociologique d’une « innovation martiale » : l’exemple de l’aikibudo
Abstract
Narratives about the emergence of innovations often resemble success stories that neglect the complexity of the social processes at work. By looking at new practices, the sociology of sport can shed light on this complexity. Using the example of aikibudo, a martial art that appeared in France in the early 1980s, this paper attempts to enlighten the advent of a martial innovation. Coming out of the sacralization of the inventor, it aims to show how aikibudo has progressively positioned itself on the martial arts market. Based on an approach rooted in sociotechnical analysis, the paper also tackles the reasons why the discipline is struggling today to find a second breath.
