How would one define martial arts?

Question

What constitutes martial arts? Only the styles that originated in Asia, for they are the ones that have been overly popularized as of late, or also including the traditional European styles, such as Fiore Dei Liberi's hand to hand, Lichtenhauer's longsword, Talhoffer's poleaxe of Saviolo's sword and dagger?

So ,where does the definition of martial arts begin? As any form of combattive training? Formalized training? Someone claiming that he knows a better way to kick somone's **** up between his ears?

And where does the definition end? When weapons are drawn, which would contradict Miyamoto Musashi's Book of Five Rings or Johannes Lichtenhauer's verses? When armies are involved, which would contradict Sun Tzu and Musashi? Or when firearms are involved, which would draw flak from any serious shooter out there?

Answer 1

I define Martial Arts as ANY form of ORGANIZED armed or unarmed combat, as anything that increases one's ability to defend themselves whether it's a Traditional Martial Art such as Tang Soo Do, Wing Chun, or Goju-Ryu, Hybrid Martial Art such as Jeet Kune Do, Chip Koon Do, etc, or Modern Combat such as Krav Maga.

I would also include any weapons or sword fighting techniques that are PRE-gunpowder era. because I don't consider using a gun as a fighting tactic other than it's accuracy drills for proper use of the weapon, whereas Archery (which some disciplines such as Ninjitsu employed in earlier times) uses a little more skill for proper accuracy.

Not to trash any firearms experts, because there is a certain degree of learned skill involved to execute proper technique, but I don't believe firearms training could be included in Martial Arts.

As many Martial Artists that know the true meaning, Martial Arts, especialy most of the authors of the books you mentioned were fighters or Martial Artists that it is a way of life, and finds it's way into All aspects of an individual's life who trains in any of the disciplines. Even when such groups such as Armies have been trained, because it helps the individuals in those groups to work together in becoming a cohesive team.

So I don't think the definition of Martial Arts ends anywhere in an individual's life, because it's a continuing process throughout one's life.

Answer 2

No no no. Martial arts is far from drama. Like anything in life what you put into it is what you get out. People come from all walks of life meaning different races, colors, creeds, morals and ethics but we all share some of the innate individuality that makes us who we are. We all need to feel loved and safe and to belong in this world. People study the martial arts for a variety of reasons. One may take it for self control while another for confidence and self esteem. Some may take it for exercise or peace of mind and the spirituality and philosophy of it while others may need it for self discipline or self defense. The martial arts can help a woman from being raped, a child from being bullied or kidnapped a man from being mugged and robbed. It can also save a life. Know when to use it and when to walk away. The list is endless.

Answer 3

As used in this country, martial arts usually refers to several east Asian systems that combine fighting with philosophy & self discipline. Many use the term for any fighting system, but to me that is wrong. Sometimes i think a lot gets lost in translation. For examole the Korean for martial arts is mu do, meaning way of the warrior. The idiagram for mu depicts a sword, a spear, a drop of blood & the symbol for stop. In other words, true warriors STOP the bloodshed. Many on this forum need to learn that.

Answer 4

My personal definition of a martial art is any style of training with the intent on making you better at combat. These can originate from Asia, Europe or, heck, even the depths of the Atlantic ocean if that'd be realistic.

Answer 5

erm...martial art is the way to tackle when u r in danger using the combination of hand n foot...martial art also is used to balance our inner energy, Yin n Yang...through martial art we can learn morality also

Answer 6

Michael S answered it for me.