What Are Martial Arts?

I'm sure that we can all picture just what martial arts is, but when we are asked to explain what martial arts is, it can become quite challenging. In this blog, we are going to explore the meaning behind the term "martial Arts" and what it used to mean vs what it means now.

The Origin of "Martial Arts"

The term "martial arts" comes from the Latin word Mars, the Roman god of war. This symbolises the combat and warlike skills that the martial disciplines represented back then. Martial arts are seen throughout almost every culture and have been developed over centuries, and they refer to the arts or disciplines associated with warfare, defence, or combat training.

However, even in our history, this wasn't all martial arts was it was also seen as a way of life. I feel that the most well-known examples of this would be the English knights and the samurai. The Samurai of Japan lived in accordance to what they called the 'Bushido', meaning the way of the warrior, this surved as a moral code as (whether they meant for it to or not) influences the samurai's own life in many ways, from their decision making to how they walked through life. However, the samurai didn't stop there as they also studied Buddhism as a way to find personal fulfillment and to deal with the prospect of one day losing their life and the weight that comes with taking another's.

Another example of a martial arts group that developed something further than a traditional martial art is the knights. I'm sure we've all heard the term 'chivalry' before. Chivalry is the medieval knightly system with its religious, moral, and social code. It was a system built alongside their martial training to provide a way of life for the knights, allowing them to fight and protect what they loved (their country and loved ones, some even fought for the religions that they believed in).

What Martial Arts Used to Mean

When you ask someone what a martial art is or you ask them to think about a martial art, chances are they think of the combat aspect of a martial art. In medieval times or the feudal period of Japan, martial arts were indeed a system built to protect oneself and defeat an enemy. Many martial arts heavily emphasised the premise of fighting not to kill but to protect. Many people determined that the main reasons we train in martial arts are for understanding and mastery of oneself.

During this time of human civilisation, wars were common, and many people dealt with life-threatening situations on a daily basis. People often feared for their lives, and training in martial arts gave them the hope that they could live another day. Much of this is true for the warriors mentioned above, as their lives could very well end at any moment; they train countless hours to reduce the risk of it ending on that day, for humans can only control the outcomes of the present.

The Modern Meaning of Martial Arts

Now, relatively speaking, we will be in peaceful times; there are obviously still some conflicts spread throughout the world as we speak, but in general, the conscious and the general population are at "peace". This changes why we learn martial arts and segments the meaning of martial arts. In our more modern world, martial arts, while still a form of combat, defence, and a system of fighting, have leaned into becoming more mental of philosophical guides for the population of the modern world. Many people turn to martial arts not only to strengthen their body but also their mind, and alongside the changing of people, the thing we once called martial arts has become an even bigger umbrella term.

Some Examples of Modernisation in Martial Arts:

While there are obvious modernisations inside martial arts, such as wearing protective gear and reducing the hard done to competitors during shows of strength and skills. There have been genuine changes to how certain martial arts are taught or what they initially focus on.

Kyudo

Kyudo also known as the Japanese way of the bow. This martial art was once incredibly feared, and those who practiced it were well known for being great archers; however, during the decline of the need for archers when guns became available, the martial art shifted its main focus. In more modern times, the martial art known as kyudo focuses less on hitting the target and more on being mindful of your entire body and, through their meditative movements, all to create the "perfect shot". The perfect shot isn't just one that hits the target, though; it's one where the bow rotates to the other side of your hand, the arrow makes a loud tsurune (the sound the arrow makes when it leaves to bowstring), and your stance is strong yet elegant.

I hope after reading all of this, you now have your own definition of what martial arts are today, and I hope you'll continue to explore this topic.

So stay disciplined, stay strong, and I'll see you next time!