What Is A Martial Art?

While a relatively simple question, many people today have a distorted view of what the definition of Martial Arts is. A quick google search states "various sports or skills, mainly of Japanese origin, that originated as forms of self-defense or attack, such as judo, karate, and kendo" , while a wikipedia search will say : "Martial arts are codified systems and traditions of combat practices, which are practiced for a variety of reasons: as self-defense, military and law enforcement applications; competition, physical fitness, mental and spiritual development; as well as entertainment and the preservation of a nation's intangible cultural heritage.

Although the term martial art has become associated with the fighting arts of eastern Asia, it originally referred to the combat systems of Europe as early as the 1550s. The term is derived from Latin, and means "arts of Mars", the Roman god of war.[1] Some authors have argued that fighting arts or fighting systems would be more appropriate on the basis that many martial arts were never "martial" in the sense of being used or created by professional warriors.[2]" 

Are these correct definitions of martial arts? Well, yes and no. 

Nowadays, martial arts has been watered down so much that alot of times there is no real self-defense. For example, aikido is by far the worst martial art for self defense so I don't see how it is a martial art going based on the fact that martial arts originated for self-defense or attack.  While I could go on and on about various martial arts that have become more interpreted dances rather than fighting systems, we are seeing a great split of the martial arts today. If you look at the wikipedia article, it states that some authors argued that fighting arts or fighting systems would be more appropriate on the basis that many martial arts were never "martial" in the sense of being used or created by professional warriors.

If that's true then....why not call it dancing?

No way man! My aikido is not dancing!

But you just said that those martial arts were never martial.....

This is the main problem. People don't want to admit that they don't have fighting skill. Punching the air, kicking imaginary people, fighting with very very limited rules does not make you a fighter nor a martial artist. Yes, discipline and medidation are very important for growth and development. However, you are not a martial artist if you can't fight. 

Have a great day,

Martial Arts Tutor

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