Is it worthy learning to use ancient martial arts weapons nowadays?

Question

Is it still worthy ancient weapons training nowadays?

Answer 1

japnese sword which was supposed to be the best sword of the world is still practiced in japan there are still samurais passing their art to youngerones and they still make these swords and sell them from 5000 to 25000 us$

Answer 2

It would depend on what you are looking to get out of it.

If you are wanting something that translates move for move in a fight or in self defense then probably not.

If you are learning how to use the weapon for the knowledge of history, the past and because you hold a true interest in that particular weapon or style of fighting. Then definitely.

But with some imagination things that were taught in the past can be altered to fit today. I've been learning western martial arts based on the Italian style created by Fiore. While a pool stick or broom could be used in a similar manner as a hand and a half sword. A number of the dagger technics used to disarm or subdue someone attacking you with a knife are still taught today to people such as corrections officers. Also a lot of the grapling moves we work on in class can still easily be used today.

Answer 3

In the old ways the way of weapons was the ultimate warrior style.
Nowadays with the UFC showing some great MMA everyone forgets about the wealth of knowledge available. Some of the greatest skills a person could achieve are thru the study of weapons, especially sharp bladed ones.
Now anyone can pick up a sharp weapon, but can you do it with such grace and style that you are basically in tune with it.
Look up Shim Gum Do, Mind Sword Path. (It is more than a way to use a weapon)
You will see some of what I am reffering to, it is awesome to say the least, and the other side of the samurai arts.

Answer 4

I think there should be a combination of the 'old and the new'.

Although we train with practical weapons like knives, escrima sticks, and bo's, we also train with kamas and the katana. Even though the latter two are not practical at all, there are modern-day substitutes (as someone wrote earlier).

What you DO want to keep entirely practical, are your empty hand techniques. Unless you carry a blade (like I do), you are more than likely not going to have weapon on you if you are attacked, and will have to rely upon your skill. Unless of course, you can find and use something in your environment as a weapon.

Answer 5

Depends on what your goal is when you study martial arts.

If your goal is to kick *** and/or learn practical self defense, then learning ken-jutsu knowing you aren't going to carry your katana with you everywhere would be pointless.

If your goal is to use your training to help polish your character, then it doesn't really matter what style you work with or what weapons said style incorporates.

There are alot of reasons to practice the martial arts. Some people think of the martial and care less about the art (then its a sport), others care more about the art and less about the martial (then its philosophy). Most are somewhere in between the two extremes.

The answer to your question, it seems to me, is the answer to the question 'what is YOUR reasoning for wanting to train?' Answer that, and you will answer your original question.

Answer 6

considering the most ancient of weapons is the knife, I would say so.

However learning to use a stone knife or ax might seem unrealistic, if one could learn the ancient art of "flecking" used by our ancestors (and a few existing scientists) to effectively create an edge on stone to make a knife or axe head, and you know how to use it- then you could effectively bring a weapon into places that have metal detectors. I wonder how a cop would react to one carrying such a weapon when they can simply explain it as an experiment in "flecking" and explain that it is like whittling wood and you are learning it for a scientific purpose.

Ironic how an archaic human can tear apart a club or similar place as he could avoid weapon detection by metal detectors.

Providing he first mastered the art of deoderant.

Answer 7

Many old style weapons have modern substitutions that can be found or made quickly. A broom or stick takes place of a sword, a rolled up magazine can take place of a knife and keys between the fingers can take place of strap on claws. All you need is an imagination. The techniques are the same, only the weapon being used changes.

Answer 8

ask your self this question what would you rather see the head of a burglar rolling across the floor after you slice through the air with your katana into his neck and blood spraying across the room or would you rather blow his head well explode his head with a 12 gauge shotgun? I guess what im getting at ancient martial arts weapons as you put it are a lot cleaner one can assume for killing then a fire arm. You can do way more damage with a broadsword than you can with a pistol think about it. my answer is hell yes.

Answer 9

Yes, it is. Learning the ancinet wapons gives a foundation for being able to adapt other objects for use at need in emergency situations. ALSO, training with classical weapons develops reflexes, speed and strength in a way that empty hand training does not.

Answer 10

I don't think that nowadays when you are at the store, someone is going to attack you with an old style weapon. I don't think that a sword is going to stop a bullet. If you want to learn, then go for it but it is most likely illegal to carry the weapon with you everywhere you go.

Answer 11

I think it's really funa and good to know how to use ancient weapons. You probably won't be able to use it on the street but most weapons are just an extent of your body which also practicies your empty hand techniques