Zero
Master Black Belt
- Joined
- Dec 6, 2006
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- 1,284
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It can be interesting to gauge from history and historical records what the view was of those that were actually engaged and surrounded by conflict and war and in which the hand to hand fighting and/or weapons of our styles were actually used. Their view as to the practice of martial arts can be illuminating and help, to some degree, put these things into context.
For example, take certain extracts from the “Hagakure” (the Book of the Samurai), I quote from an English translation:
Quote: “The saying, “The arts aid the body,” is for samurai of other regions. For samurai of the Nabeshima clan the arts bring ruin to the body. In all cases, the person who practices an art is an artist, not a samurai, and one should have the intention of being called a samurai.
When one has the conviction that even the slightest artful ability is harmful to the samurai, all the arts become useful to him. One should understand this sort of thing.” Unquote.
This is quite profound and subtle, particularly the last sentence of the quote (at least for myself). This is not saying the samurai are not highly skilled and adept warriors that have not honed their skill to the highest level. But it is clearly differentiating between an “artist” and a samurai. For the most part those of us on MT and most people the world over that do a MA, including those that compete in tournaments and UFC at the highest level, are simply “artists”. Those few that use their martial skills on the battlefield (specific war/conflict zone these days as “battlefield” is for the most part an anachronism) might be akin to a samurai or an actual warrior.
On that basis we are all simply “artists” here. Somewhat like a ballet dancer.
For example, take certain extracts from the “Hagakure” (the Book of the Samurai), I quote from an English translation:
Quote: “The saying, “The arts aid the body,” is for samurai of other regions. For samurai of the Nabeshima clan the arts bring ruin to the body. In all cases, the person who practices an art is an artist, not a samurai, and one should have the intention of being called a samurai.
When one has the conviction that even the slightest artful ability is harmful to the samurai, all the arts become useful to him. One should understand this sort of thing.” Unquote.
This is quite profound and subtle, particularly the last sentence of the quote (at least for myself). This is not saying the samurai are not highly skilled and adept warriors that have not honed their skill to the highest level. But it is clearly differentiating between an “artist” and a samurai. For the most part those of us on MT and most people the world over that do a MA, including those that compete in tournaments and UFC at the highest level, are simply “artists”. Those few that use their martial skills on the battlefield (specific war/conflict zone these days as “battlefield” is for the most part an anachronism) might be akin to a samurai or an actual warrior.
On that basis we are all simply “artists” here. Somewhat like a ballet dancer.