Martial Arts - defined ...

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In another great article by John Vesia Sensei of Long Island, New York he speaks to the conundrum of defining the phrase, "Martial Arts." This one, like so many others as you can imagine, is a conversation that may never truly come to one defined conclusion. It will be about opinions, both informed and not informed. It is a hot topic that tends to trigger a lot of emotional effort on everyone in the conversation. 

Literally, the definitions found for "Martial Arts":

Martial Arts: Google definitions provide, "various sports or skills, mainly of Japanese origin, that originated as forms of self-defense or attack, such as judo, karate, and kendo."

Martial Arts: Wiki says, "Martial arts are codified systems and traditions of combat practiced for a number of reasons such as self-defense, military and law enforcement applications, physical, mental and spiritual development; as well as entertainment and the preservation of a nation's intangible cultural heritage." 

Martial Arts: Tangorin translates and defines this, "Budo [武道]: martial arts; military arts; Bushido; Bujutsu [武術]: martial arts; military arts; wushu; modern sport derived from traditional Chinese martial arts AND Butoku [武徳]: martial arts. To name a few of many on this site."

Then there is the inclusion of European Martial Arts to which I believe are martial and an art form as well at least in practice in modern times. About how they are classified in their day, European ancient times, it is most difficult to say, prove and validate but the consensus is that they are and always were. 

The real crux of the heated discussion is whether what is practiced today as a modern discipline is best served and lumped under the title, "Martial Arts." The arguments for and against are pretty well thought out, mostly, and pretty convincing... in general. It is tantamount to once long ago referring to all forms of the full-contact sport as, "Karate." In that one, I disagree because most of what I saw, in that time frame, as full-contact karate was really full-contact with rules and restrictions kick-boxing, i.e., boxing with karate like, actually tae kwon do, kicks thrown in. 

As you already know I do have an opinion on the definition starting with a reference to another professional who practiced and trained in “Koryu” disciplines, i.e., when he left to return to his country his sensei told him that all he learned was fine and dandy for Japan and that he should teach the way of his country in passing on his expertise. In that light, lets define the term martial in our country.

Martial: Merriam-Webster defines martial as:

1. : of, relating to, or suited for war or a warrior;
2. : relating to an army or to military life;
3. : experienced in or inclined to war.

Martial and Roman Mythology: Mars was the Roman god of war and one of the patron gods of Rome itself. He was responsible for everything military, from warriors to weapons to marching music. Thus, martial arts are skills of combat and self-defense also practiced as sport. When martial law is declared, a country's armed forces take over the functions of the police. And a court-martial is a military court or trial.

Now, without adding in the confusion of who and what in Asian disciplines says what and why to the use of martial arts and as in particular to the word ‘martial’ as defined by our very American Merriam-Webster dictionary I can say with confidence, “In the United States according to the accepted authority of the Merriam-Webster dictionary the term ‘martial’ does apply as a definition toward all forms of Asian Defensive/Combative training and practices. So, karate and judo and MMA and many other offshoots of martial prowess in both defense/combative along with sport are martial in nature.

But, as you already know, we can’t stop there because now we have to address the “ART” part. Lets go back to the M-W dictionary.

1. : skill acquired by experience, study, or observation;
• Yes, every dojo and discipline I have experienced and/or studied all require skills from study, observation, practice and training along with experience does apply. 
2. : a branch of learning;
• Yes, karate or MMA or Judo, etc., are all a branch of learning. 
3. : an occupation requiring knowledge or skill;
• Yes, again all of what we naturally call martial arts is an occupation that not only requires knowledge and/or skill, they all provide a form and function that teaches and promotes skill. 
4. : the conscious use of skill and creative imagination especially in the production of aesthetic objects.
• Yes, not especially as to objects unless you participate in Japanese Zen gardening, the practice and training and application of all that is taught as martial arts require the conscious use of said skills and the creativity of the human spirit to apply said skills both in sport and in self-protection.

In the end, I would say that “martial arts” does apply to all forms that are defensive/combative/sport oriented regardless of the culture from which they sprang so very long ago. Be it Asian, European or American they ALL can be called “Martial Arts” because as you already know or you know know and can imagine the fit nicely in the M-W American definition. Oh, and by the way, the art of boxing, wrestling and other such sports and disciplines also meet this criteria of martial arts. 

Thank you and on we go… don’t argue with an authority with an honorable and accepted history in defining words, terms and other such things and accept the fact that a dutiful honorable recognized and frequently used, even electronically, to define and therefor educate all of us… the definitive authority “Words” and we all know how important words are, right?

For reference and sources and professionals go here: Bibliography (Click the link)