The Journal of Asian Martial Arts (JAMA) is a quarterly published magazine

Magazine

Magazines, periodicals, glossies or serials are publications, generally published on a regular schedule, containing a variety of articles. They are generally financed by advertising, by a purchase price, by pre-paid magazine subscriptions, or all three...

 from Via Media Publishing Company that covers various aspects of martial arts

Martial arts

Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....

 from Asia

Asia

Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...

, but also includes material from other parts of the world.

Content

The journal has distinguished itself by offering in-depth articles and analysis of karate

Karate

is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...

, taekwondo

Taekwondo

Taekwondo is a Korean martial art and the national sport of South Korea. In Korean, tae means "to strike or break with foot"; kwon means "to strike or break with fist"; and do means "way", "method", or "path"...

, judo

Judo

is a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...

, aikido

Aikido

is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Aikido is often translated as "the Way of unifying life energy" or as "the Way of harmonious spirit." Ueshiba's goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to...

, taijiquan, and shaolinquan, and many other Asian-based martial arts. Articles cover a wide range of inquiry including history, anthropology

Anthropology

Anthropology is the study of humanity. It has origins in the humanities, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. The term "anthropology" is from the Greek anthrōpos , "man", understood to mean mankind or humanity, and -logia , "discourse" or "study", and was first used in 1501 by German...

, health, medicine, mechanics, martial application, and culture. The articles are academically sound, yet they are generally written in a manner that makes them accessible to the general reader. Illustrated with photographs and drawings (many by the late Oscar Ratti), charts and diagrams, and reference material distinguish this journal's oversize format.

The magazine has three main sections: academic articles, general articles that are more informal and media reviews. Occasionally works of fiction or poetry are featured. Reviews are generally very thorough, and focus on books. Editor Michael DeMarco started the journal in 1991, and also began to publish books in 1999, starting with martial arts historian Robert W. Smith's memoir Martial Musings.

The journal accepts submissions for articles that are reviewed by at least two members of the editorial board. The journal also distinguishes itself by its rigorous journalistic standards, avoiding bias or "infomercials" for particular styles or masters. The journal has been recognized with a number of awards and accolades. Library Journal declared it "One of the Ten Best Magazines of 1992."