Please take a look at Articles on self-defense/conflict/violence for introductions to the references found in the bibliography page.

Please take a look at my bibliography if you do not see a proper reference to a post.

Please take a look at my Notable Quotes

Hey, Attention on Deck!

Hey, NOTHING here is PERSONAL, get over it - Teach Me and I will Learn!


When you begin to feel like you are a tough guy, a warrior, a master of the martial arts or that you have lived a tough life, just take a moment and get some perspective with the following:


I've stopped knives that were coming to disembowel me

I've clawed for my gun while bullets ripped past me

I've dodged as someone tried to put an ax in my skull

I've fought screaming steel and left rubber on the road to avoid death

I've clawed broken glass out of my body after their opening attack failed

I've spit blood and body parts and broke strangle holds before gouging eyes

I've charged into fires, fought through blizzards and run from tornados

I've survived being hunted by gangs, killers and contract killers

The streets were my home, I hunted in the night and was hunted in turn


Please don't brag to me that you're a survivor because someone hit you. And don't tell me how 'tough' you are because of your training. As much as I've been through I know people who have survived much, much worse. - Marc MacYoung

WARNING, CAVEAT AND NOTE

The postings on this blog are my interpretation of readings, studies and experiences therefore errors and omissions are mine and mine alone. The content surrounding the extracts of books, see bibliography on this blog site, are also mine and mine alone therefore errors and omissions are also mine and mine alone and therefore why I highly recommended one read, study, research and fact find the material for clarity. My effort here is self-clarity toward a fuller understanding of the subject matter. See the bibliography for information on the books. Please make note that this article/post is my personal analysis of the subject and the information used was chosen or picked by me. It is not an analysis piece because it lacks complete and comprehensive research, it was not adequately and completely investigated and it is not balanced, i.e., it is my personal view without the views of others including subject experts, etc. Look at this as “Infotainment rather then expert research.” This is an opinion/editorial article/post meant to persuade the reader to think, decide and accept or reject my premise. It is an attempt to cause change or reinforce attitudes, beliefs and values as they apply to martial arts and/or self-defense. It is merely a commentary on the subject in the particular article presented.


Note: I will endevor to provide a bibliography and italicize any direct quotes from the materials I use for this blog. If there are mistakes, errors, and/or omissions, I take full responsibility for them as they are mine and mine alone. If you find any mistakes, errors, and/or omissions please comment and let me know along with the correct information and/or sources.



“What you are reading right now is a blog. It’s written and posted by me, because I want to. I get no financial remuneration for writing it. I don’t have to meet anyone’s criteria in order to post it. Not only I don’t have an employer or publisher, but I’m not even constrained by having to please an audience. If people won’t like it, they won’t read it, but I won’t lose anything by it. Provided I don’t break any laws (libel, incitement to violence, etc.), I can post whatever I want. This means that I can write openly and honestly, however controversial my opinions may be. It also means that I could write total bullshit; there is no quality control. I could be biased. I could be insane. I could be trolling. … not all sources are equivalent, and all sources have their pros and cons. These needs to be taken into account when evaluating information, and all information should be evaluated. - God’s Bastard, Sourcing Sources (this applies to this and other blogs by me as well; if you follow the idea's, advice or information you are on your own, don't come crying to me, it is all on you do do the work to make sure it works for you!)



“You should prepare yourself to dedicate at least five or six years to your training and practice to understand the philosophy and physiokinetics of martial arts and karate so that you can understand the true spirit of everything and dedicate your mind, body and spirit to the discipline of the art.” - cejames (note: you are on your own, make sure you get expert hands-on guidance in all things martial and self-defense)



“All I say is by way of discourse, and nothing by way of advice. I should not speak so boldly if it were my due to be believed.” - Montaigne


I am not a leading authority on any one discipline that I write about and teach, it is my hope and wish that with all the subjects I have studied it provides me an advantage point that I offer in as clear and cohesive writings as possible in introducing the matters in my materials. I hope to serve as one who inspires direction in the practitioner so they can go on to discover greater teachers and professionals that will build on this fundamental foundation. Find the authorities and synthesize a wholehearted and holistic concept, perception and belief that will not drive your practices but rather inspire them to evolve, grow and prosper. My efforts are born of those who are more experienced and knowledgable than I. I hope you find that path! See the bibliography I provide for an initial list of experts, professionals and masters of the subjects.

Martial Arts - defined ...

Blog Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)

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)






No comments: