Editorial Standards

At ArtfulMartial.com, the quality of our articles depends on how we research, verify, and present information. This page explains how we work, what sources we rely on, and how we handle corrections.

Research methodology

Every article on ArtfulMartial is researched using a mix of primary and secondary sources:

Primary sources — period texts, historical documents, founder writings, organizational records, treaties, official rulebooks, and other original-document sources wherever available
Academic secondary sources — peer-reviewed papers, university-press books, museum archives, and scholarly publications in martial arts history and East Asian studies
Organizational records — official materials from recognized governing bodies such as the Kodokan, Kukkiwon, World Karate Federation, Japan Karate Association, IBJJF, and regional / style-specific organizations
Documented practitioner statements — on-record interviews, published books, and documented teachings from recognized martial artists

We link to external sources directly in the article body whenever possible, so readers can verify claims and explore further.

Citation policy

Every ArtfulMartial article includes a minimum of three external links to authoritative sources (Wikipedia, organizational sites, academic publications, museums, or recognized martial arts organizations). Claims about historical events, figures, dates, and technical specifications are cited. Where a claim is legendary, disputed, or apocryphal, we say so.

When our content is not expert-reviewed

Our Contributing Editor, Marco Reyes, is not a practicing martial artist. He is a researcher and writer with a background in East Asian history and years of studying martial arts traditions. For technical or training-specific claims, we rely on cited sources rather than personal experience. Readers looking for specific technique instruction, training programs, or competition advice should consult a qualified instructor in their style of interest.

Updates and corrections

Martial arts history is still being actively researched, and our articles are updated as better information becomes available. Every article shows its last-updated date.

If you spot an error — a wrong date, a misattributed technique, a disputed fact stated as settled, or a source we should have cited — please email marco@artfulmartial.com with the correction and your source. We'll review, correct, and credit you if you'd like.

We take corrections seriously because we'd rather be right later than look confident now.

AI disclosure

We use AI-assisted tools in our research and drafting workflow. All articles are reviewed and edited by Marco Reyes before publication. Claims are verified against cited sources, and the voice and editorial direction are human-directed. AI is a tool for drafting and research acceleration, not a substitute for editorial judgment or source verification.

Topics we are careful with

We generally avoid:

Medical claims about injuries, training strain, or physical benefits — these belong to qualified medical professionals, not a history-focused publication
Legal claims about self-defense — self-defense laws vary by jurisdiction and we are not lawyers
Unverifiable historical claims — particularly common in traditional martial arts folklore. We present legends as legends.

Questions?

Email marco@artfulmartial.com or use our contact form.