“The Trade Journal for the Martial Arts Industry” Kind of gives you the sense of today’s martial arts vs. yesterdays traditional form of martial arts practice. You are given two dichotomies here, one is martial arts and the other is a business model, i.e., “Trade” and “Industry.”
Even the titles of the more modern periodicals tells the story, “Martial Arts Professional,” and so on. Even the more symbolic titles still tend to lean toward a business model martial arts, i.e., “Classical Fighting Arts.”
It also demonstrates how the community tends to mix and match terms in a manner not necessarily about the MA or the traditions but rather the best combination to “Sell Martial Arts.” It is truly an industry!
The question comes down to, “Is this a bad thing?” As long as the participants in either form, i.e. the trade industry vs. the classical or traditional communities, are distinguished as a separate and distinct entity then “No, no issues.” It comes down the the distinctions that separate the two so there is no confusion especially to the novice or uninitiated.
Look at it as the difference between “Personality vs. Character.” When it comes to martial arts especially in regard to self-defense “Distinctions” becomes critical as the mistaken understanding of what you are practicing and training can mean damage and death in a SD situation.
Watch this program for a peek into the start of martial arts in America, it will give you a distinct difference from what is done today. Take note of Joe Lewis’s comments at the end when he compares the substance of 1968 martial arts vs. the flash and personality of todays martial arts.
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