ABSTRACT
This chapter features the changing role of martial arts in the Song dynasty. The long-term war between the Han people and other ethnic groups continued to stimulate the development of Chinese military martial arts, and commercial development led to the emergence of townships, in which a growing number of martial arts societies were set up for the purpose of fitness and recreation. Public martial arts performances were also popular. The enthusiasm and imagination of Song people towards Chinese martial arts were also reflected in opera, drama and fiction.
