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Martial arts
I Introduction
Martial Arts, various kinds of fighting arts, with or without weapons, most of which originated in East Asia. Martial arts are now practiced throughout the world. About 100 million people participate in the martial arts as a means of self-defense, physical fitness, mental tranquility, and competition. There are about 200 distinct martial arts, and within each one are specific schools called styles or systems. These styles number in the thousands.
II Types of Martial Arts
Despite the array of martial arts and styles, most of them share common techniques, and so they can be organized into broad categories that facilitate understanding. The primary way of classifying martial arts is by the basic physical technique they use: striking or grappling.
The striking technique, technically referred to as percussive, uses blows with the hands, elbows, feet, knees, and head. Such popular martial arts as karate, kung fu, and tae kwon do fall under this category.
Grappling arts, on the other hand, primarily employ throwing, locking, and wrestling techniques. These arts seek to neutralize aggressive action by gaining control over an adversary without necessarily striking the person. The most popular grappling arts are jujutsu, judo, and aikido.
The martial arts can also be divided into those that prohibit weapons and those that require them. In judo, for example, competitors use only their bodies, but in many styles of kung fu, weapons represent an essential part of the basic training. Common weapons used in martial arts include swords, staffs, and spears made of wood or metal. Firearms are never used.
Martial arts can also be divided by function and philosophy into traditional and nontraditional, according to the way they are taught. Traditional teachers emphasize self-improvement, whereas nontraditionalists emphasize self-defense. When instructing their students, traditionalists focus on three priorities, in the following order: spiritual development, discipline, and aesthetic form. Nontraditional instruction accents combat, discipline, and spiritual development. Both schools of thought offer advantages to students, encouraging the cultivation of such traits as self-confidence, which can then be successfully carried over and applied to everyday life.
III Philosophy
In their development, many of the martial arts were influenced by Eastern philosophical and religious thought, particularly Buddhism and Daoism (Taoism). Buddhism emphasizes the role of individual seeking and effort to attain self-mastery, self-realization, and enlightenment. Daoism advocates the use of certain physical exercises and breathing exercises directed to the same end. The martial arts therefore require students to develop both their bodies and their minds. Because the martial arts give specific attention to both elements, they differ from most other sports and physical activities, which usually focus on purely physical training.
Serious martial arts students believe that the martial arts are not about fighting, but about living—that is, the principles students learn in the martial arts help provide guidance on how to act outside the training hall. In the end, martial arts schools aim to produce students who practice the martial arts to better themselves, not to dominate others. The martial arts can also produce intangible benefits for students. Studies have shown that many of those who practice the martial arts differ from the general public in that they have a lower level of anxiety, an increased sense of responsibility, and a higher level of self-esteem.
IV Principal
Martial Arts
The world’s most popular martial arts are karate, kung fu, and tae kwon do. In these and most other martial arts, practitioners wear colored belts (or sashes in kung fu) to denote rank and advancement. A white belt indicates a novice. By passing increasingly difficult tests of competency, students move through a series of colored belts to reach black belt status. Even at the black belt status, practitioners can be at various levels. The levels of black belt (or dan, meaning 'degree' in Japanese and Korean) move from first degree, denoting a beginning black belt, to fifth degree, usually signifying a junior master. The degrees from six to ten are honorary ranks that people earn through the time they have spent practicing the martial art and the stylistic contributions they have made to it.
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Overview
Worldwide there is a great diversity of martial
arts. Broadly speaking, martial arts share a common goal: to defeat
a person physically or to defend oneself from physical threat. Within
most martial arts there is a deep sense of spirituality. Every style
has a different "feeling" that helps enbody the martial
art.
A common characteristic of martial arts is the
systemization of fighting techniques. One common traditional method
of training, particularly in the East Asian martial arts, is the
form or kata (also called poomse, ch'uan t'ao, kuen, tao lu, hyung,
or tuls). This is a set routine of techniques performed alone, or
sometimes with a partner.
Martial arts may focus on one or more of these
areas:
Striking (e.g. Boxing, Karate, Wing Chun, Krav Maga, Bando)
Kicking, (e.g. Taekwondo, Savate, Capoeira, Lethwei, Tantui)
Grappling and throwing (e.g. Wrestling, Shuai Jiao, Jujutsu, Judo,
Pehlwani, Sambo, Naban, Aikido, Qin na, Kampfringen, Hapkido), or
Weaponry (e.g. Iaido,Kobudo, Naginata-do, Kendo, Fencing, Eskrima,
Gatka, Banshay, Fechtkunst, Siberian Pain).
Some martial arts, particularly the traditional Chinese martial
arts, also teach side disciplines such as bone-setting, Qigong,
acupuncture, acupressure (Tui na), and other aspects of traditional
Chinese medicine. Traditional Indian martial arts also teach aspects
of traditional Indian medicine as side disciplines.
The martial arts, though commonly associated with
East Asian cultures and people, are by no means unique to this region.
For example, various Dravidian Indian martial arts, such as Kuttu
Varisai, Varma Kalai, Kalari Payattu and Adithada, were developed
in ancient Thamizhakkam (South India and Northeastern Sri Lanka).
Savate was developed from Chausson and English boxing. Capoeira's
athletic movements were developed in Brazil by slaves based on skills
brought with them from Africa. English boxing was developed from
bare-knuckle boxing.
Many martial arts also strive to teach moral values
and provide guidance for children who join the ranks of those learning
the art. Many arts require those who achieve black belt or the equivalent
to take an oath restricting their use of their knowledge. Martial
artists are also trained in mental and emotional discipline.
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Martial arts in Asia
The teaching of martial arts in Asia has historically followed the
cultural traditions of teacher-disciple apprenticeship. Students
are trained in a strictly hierarchical system by a master instructor:
Sifu in Cantonese, Lao Shih (Wade-Giles), lao shi (Pinyin) (lit.,
old master) in Chinese; Shih fu (Wade-Giles), Shi fù (Pinyin)
(lit., the master-father) in Mandarin; Guru in Hindi and Sanskrit;
Sensei in Japanese; Kwan Jang Nim in (Korean); Kallari Gurukkal
in (Malayalam); and Asaan in (Tamil). The instructor is expected
to directly supervise their students' training, and the students
are expected to memorize and recite as closely as possible the rules
and basic training routines of the school.
In a Confucian influenced martial art, students
with more seniority are considered older brothers and sisters; those
with less seniority as younger brothers and sisters. Such clearly
delineated relationships are designed to develop good character,
patience and discipline.
Some method of certification can be involved, where one's skills
would be tested for mastery before being allowed to study further;
in some systems, especially in China, there may not have been any
such certifications, only years of close personal practice and evaluation
under a master, much like an apprenticeship, until the master deems
one's skills satisfactory. This pedagogy, while still preserved
and respected in many traditional styles, has weakened to varying
degrees in others and is even actively rejected by some schools,
especially in the West.
Along with East Asia, martial arts were also studied
in India, Thailand, Myanmar, the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam,
South America, and almost every other corner of the Earth. This
in turn led to further exploration of disciplines from China, Korea,
and Japan for their historical and cultural value. In India, Indonesia
and Malaysia, a tremendous diversity of colourful martial arts of
various styles with ancient origins flourishes.
A number of martial arts were developed in ancient
Thamizhakkam (South India and Northeastern Sri Lanka), including
Kuttu Varisai (empty hand combat), Varma Kalai (the art of vital
points) and Adithada (kickboxing) in Tamil Nadu, and Kalari Payattu
(way of the arena) in Kerala.
In Indonesia, a large number of arts under the
umbrella of Silat may also include Kateda and Sindo. Kuntao styles
are found across this region. It is difficult to pin down the origin
of these arts, which are claimed to be indigenous but nonetheless
have much in common with Qigong, Yiquan, and possibly Shaolin Wushu.
They have both internal and external qualities so perhaps could
be seen as an original hybridisation of other arts, the origins
of which are lost in the mists of time.
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Martial arts in Europe
Boxing was practiced in ancient Greece
Martial arts with historical roots in Europe do not exist to the
same extent as in Asia. Boxing as well as forms of wrestling have
endured. European martial arts have mostly adapted to changing technology
and are truer to the English meaning of that phrase, so that while
their descendants still exist, martial arts are focused on things
like flying helicopters and infantry tactics for riflemen. These
are generally not referred to as martial arts.
Martial arts existed in classical European civilization,
most notably in Greece where sport was integral to the way of life.
Boxing (pygme, pyx), Wrestling (pale) and Pankration (from pan,
meaning "all", and kratos, meaning "power" or
"strength") were represented in the Ancient Olympic Games.
The Romans produced Gladiatorial combat as public spectacle based
on a more martial sport.
Some traditional martial arts have been preserved
in one form or another. For example, boxing, wrestling, archery,
savate and fencing were preserved by being made into sports; of
course this has changed the practice significantly.
Another aspect of the reconstruction effort involves
more historically recent martial arts and combat sports, such as
those practiced during the 1800s and 1900s. A partial list would
include bare-knuckle boxing, Bartitsu, quarterstaff, fencing according
to late 1800s rules, etc.
Unarmed European martial arts that have survived in active form
include English boxing, Olympic wrestling, and French savate. Some
weapon systems have also survived as folk sports and as self-defense
methods, including stick-fighting systems such as Jogo do Pau of
Portugal, and the Juego del Palo style(s) of the Canary Islands.
Other martial arts were made into sports that we
no longer recognize as combative, such as some kinds of gymnastics,
where the pommel horse is called a horse because it simulates a
horse; the art comes from the necessity of a cavalryman to be able
to change positions and fight effectively from the back of a horse.
More ancient origins exist for the shot put and the javelin throw,
both weapons utilized extensively by the Romans.
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Martial arts in the Americas
The native peoples of North America had their own martial training
which started at childhood. Many Native American men considered
themselves warriors and trained to use the bows, knives, blowguns,
spears, and warclubs. War clubs were the preferred martial weapon
because Native American warriors could raise their social status
by killing enemies in single combat face to face. Warriors honed
their archery and war club skills through lifelong training. According
to early historical accounts, they demonstrated impressive skill
in using war clubs and were favorably compared to European fencing
masters. Over 1.5 million Americans practice martial arts as of
2003.
The European colonists (and later, Asian immigrants)
brought over their own martial arts such as boxing, fencing and
wrestling.
In 1831 Jim Bowie is reputed to have won a duel, killing three bandits
with his soon-to-be-famous Bowie knife. Due to the sensationalism
of American newspaper reports, the Bowie knife soon became the most
popular personal blade being sold in the US. Schools of Bowie fighting
quickly sprung up across the country, which probably drew from European
influences and possibly drew from native influences.
In 1960 Keichu Do was officially founded. Keichu
Do is arguebly the first modern American martial art. Based on elements
of Ju-jitsu, Judo, Karate, American Boxing, and street fighting
it was founded as a self-defense art. Since its founding it has
grown into a more multi-faceted art but its core is still self-defense.
Capoeira, with roots in Africa, is a martial art
originating in Brazil that involves a high degree of flexibility
and endurance. It consists of kicks, elbow strikes, headbutts, and
sweeps, although in its more combat-oriented forms it also includes
hand strikes such as the asfixiante, a punch to the throat.
Another Brazilian martial art is Brazilian Jiu
Jitsu. The pre-war years saw many Japanese people emigrate to Brazil,
some of whom were proficient in Judo. Carlos Gracie and his brother
Hélio Gracie adopted this system of fighting and refined
it into a more comprehensive groundfighting system. The system,
known as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, has become a popular martial art and
proved to be extremely successful in mixed martial arts competitions
such as the UFC.
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Martial arts internationally
Every village and tribe around the world had a few trained fighters
who passed on their knowledge; however, it is difficult to pass
on a fighting system, so almost all of these have been lost as their
practical relevance has declined. A few have nonetheless survived
for one reason or another, and a very few of those have seen a recent
boom in popularity, perhaps related to the world music phenomenon
or more simply because the internet has thrown them open to the
world. Examples of this are Capoeira and some related arts in Cuba,
Haiti and Trinidad and Tobago, which were preserved partly through
their relationship with Candomblé, Santería, Vodun,
and other syncretic religions. Of these, only Capoeira has risen
to worldwide prominence.
Boxing, Fencing, Judo, Wrestling and Tae Kwon Do
are the martial arts that are contested in the modern Olympic Games.
The 2003 movie Whale Rider featured several scenes involving Mau
rakau, a traditional martial art of the Maori people. It involves
the use of the taiaha, a 2-handed fighting staff.
Martial arts also developed among military and
police forces to be used as:
arrest and self-defense methods. One example is Krav Maga, a self-defense
system developed by the armed forces of Israel. Another example
is San Shou developed for Chinese armed forces and Kombato developed
for the Brazilian armed forces.
lethal tactical arts for use in close quarter combat warfare, i.e.
Military Martial Arts e.g. UAC (British), LINE (USA)
Other combatives systems having their origins in the modern military
include Chinese San Shou, Soviet Bojewoje(Combat) Sambo, Indian
ACCS Advanced commando combat system and Israeli Krav Maga.
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Martial arts on the modern battlefield
As modern warriors continue to refine tactics and
techniques utilizing modern weaponry such as handguns and rifles,
old concepts seem new again. A good example of this is point shooting
which relies on muscle memory to more effectively utilize a firearm
in a variety of awkward situations, much the way an iaidoka would
master movements with his or her sword. This is now a central part
of infantry and special forces weapons training. The Marine Corps
Martial Arts Program (MCMAP) is an integrated martial art designed
for and executed by all U.S. Marines.
Other combatives systems having their origins in the modern military
include Chinese San Shou, Soviet Bojewoje (Combat) Sambo (martial
art), Indian ACCS Advanced commando combat system and Israeli Krav
Maga.
In addition to these new forms, traditional hand-to-hand
and spear techniques continue to see use. Examples of this include
Combatives and bayonet jousting techniques, both taught by the U.S.
Army. As urban combat and close quarters combat become increasingly
the norm, the former is likely to see more use this century than
last, and while the bayonet may seem a relic of history to many,
the weapon has seen use by the British Army as recently as the invasion
of Iraq [2].
events, including UFC, PRIDE, Pancrase and Shooto, use full-contact
rules, although recently the use of small protective gloves and
other safety rules have been added. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Judo
do not allow striking but are full-contact in the sense that full
force is applied during grappling and submissions. Some versions
of Sambo are full-contact.
Some practitioners believe that physically defeating the enemy,
as opposed to winning a sport match by rules, is the only important
matter in hand-to-hand combat. Some of them treat martial arts only
as matters of self-defense or life-and-death situations. As such,
these people may prefer not to participate in most types of rule-based
martial art competition (even one such as vale tudo), electing instead
to study fighting techniques with little or no regard to competitive
rules or, perhaps, ethical concerns and the law (the techniques
practiced may include attacking vulnerable spots such as the groin
or the eyes). Nonetheless, others maintain that, given proper precautions
such as a referee and a ring doctor, full-contact matches with basic
rules could serve as a useful gauge of one's overall fighting ability,
encompassing broad categories including striking, grappling and
finishing hold.
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