Martial Art vs. Craft

[Eric Olson]

It seems to me that Martial Art is a bit of misnomer. "Martial Arts" are really more of craft, in that they have some utility and some component of self-expression. In other words, effectiveness and your own personal style. An art is just about self-expression.

Therefore, I propose we start using the term Martial Craft. (No glue or felt required.)

[donjitsu2]

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[Eric Olson]

Yes! :D:D:D:D:D:D

[MightyB]

It seems to me that Martial Art is a bit of misnomer. "Martial Arts" are really more of craft, in that they have some utility and some component of self-expression. In other words, effectiveness and your own personal style. An art is just about self-expression.

Therefore, I propose we start using the term Martial Craft. (No glue or felt required.)

It's all JKD in the end. Doesn't matter which style you use to get there, but self-expression is the ultimate goal.

[IronFist]

http://mediacdn.snorgtees.com/media/catalog/product/m/m/mmaac_fullpic_artwork.jpg


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[TenTigers]

It seems to me that Martial Art is a bit of misnomer. "Martial Arts" are really more of craft, in that they have some utility and some component of self-expression. In other words, effectiveness and your own personal style. An art is just about self-expression.

Therefore, I propose we start using the term Martial Craft. (No glue or felt required.)
I think that's really why they started calling it Martial Art in the first place. If you look at the older, traditional names for MA, it is more Martial Technique or Method, etc - Mo Suht, Kuen Faht.

[uki]

It's all JKD in the end. Doesn't matter which style you use to get there, but self-expression is the ultimate goal.and this is why bruce lee was killed... he took all the fun out of being a "master" and those who like to hoodwink the people with their "lineage" would be hurting in the wallet. ;)

[Drake]

That or maybe he just died...

But that takes all the fun out of it, doesn't it?

[IronFist]

I think that's really why they started calling it Martial Art in the first place. If you look at the older, traditional names for MA, it is more Martial Technique or Method, etc - Mo Suht, Kuen Faht.

Bruce Lee was the first person I've ever heard call it "Martial Art" (singular).

It was always "Martial Arts" before that.

It makes sense linguistically. You could say "I study martial art" the same way you could say "I study classical art."

But most people say "I study martial arts."

[Lucas]

I might be one of the few people who doesnt view my martial practice as a form of self expression. You can see it that way for sure, and I completely understand. However for me im not of the intention of expressing anything other than expressing my fist into your jaw or your body on the ground. Simply being able to have good solid actions/reactions in combat is my only real goal. I do use the term martial art though just because it is the norm.

[TenTigers]

I think Bruce Lee used the term, "Martial Art," because of his accent.
Kinda the way some pigment enhanced people say, "Fifty cent."

[GeneChing]

...but few of us really get to that level. Mostly, we just become art critics.

[-N-]

I think Bruce Lee used the term, "Martial Art," because of his accent.
Kinda the way some pigment enhanced people say, "Fifty cent."

All us Chinese drop the "s" on plurals :)

We don't do like the white people with nouns.

[Punch.HeadButt]

People throw the term "self-expression" around a lot. You could be throwing your feces on a wall and arguing that you're just "expressing yourself". But I think there is pure form of self-expression that very few people can really attain, at least consistently.

To my thinking, as far as the martial arts are concerned, the integration of mind, body, and spirit that they embody (or at least aspire to) can lead a practitioner to a sort of "blank" state of mind that lets something...I don't know, something underlying, something buried under all the layers that are piled on by modern day-to-day living...just something very pure come through. And I'm not talking just savage, primate instinct. I mean like its the real you and you're rediscovering it.

And I'm not even talking forms or any of the more "artistic" aspects of martial arts....personally, the occasional times I've hit that spot were during my bag sessions. I wasn't throwing punches and kicks, I WAS those punches and kicks. Every one of them was me in the instant I was throwing them and every connect resonated with a feeling of absolute freedom. And, to be even more melodramatic, I felt goddarn POWERFUL. And the feeling would last for a couple of hours after I finished.

That's what I think of when people speak of self-expression through martial arts. To be in that state consistently is something that I think very, very few people can do (much less than would claim). I sure as hell can't get myself to stay there yet, I honestly don't know if I ever will. As far as fighting, I don't think it pertains to the physical as much as the mind-state.

In the beginning, you're just smashing the guy's face in...then it becomes more than smashing the guy's face in...in the end, you're just smashing the guy's face in again. :D

[Lucas]

All us Chinese drop the "s" on plurals :)

We don't do like the white people with nouns.

you just pluralized noun :p

[Lee Chiang Po]

I think Bruce Lee used the term, "Martial Art," because of his accent.
Kinda the way some pigment enhanced people say, "Fifty cent."

Oh no. It was pronounced, mashel aht, and down in the hood it is fity cent.

[MightyB]

Oh no. It was pronounced, mashel aht, and down in the hood it is fity cent.

Well my brother told me he's three times better than "fity cent", so I'm now supposed to call him "buck fity".

[MasterKiller]

I think people should quit worrying so much about what it's called...

[Eric Olson]

I think people should quit worrying so much about what it's called...

I think people should stop worrying that other people worry about what it's called...

EO