This is a topic that I have been pondering for a while. The proliferation of mixed martial arts has eroded the attendance at many traditional martial arts schools and those that are surviving are, in many cases, doing so by offering an MMA program within the school. In these cases they are extracting the techniques from their respective art that are most likely to succeed in the ring and assembling a training program around these methods. How well this works is a matter of debate of course, since fighters engaging in this sometimes do well, other times do not. I don’t know enough about these programs to comment, but their existence has given me cause to ponder.

Of interest to me is the thinking and assumptions behind this. Namely, that MMA competition is more and more being seen as the standard of measurement for success in martial arts. Fighting arts are being assessed on their efficacy in the very specific setting of the ring and this is having the effect of alienating all those people who want to study a martial art, but are not interested in the specific competitive requirements of MMA. In other words, if an art or practitioner does not enter the ring, the art or practitioner is devalued and this may be a big component in the decline of many martial school enrollment.

For those who want to enter MMA competitions, there are many opportunities to learn. There are MMA schools and classes popping up constantly so there is no shortage of training available. But what about the person who is fascinated by the culture and mystique of classical or traditional arts, especially the Asian arts which have captured the western imagination for decades? Are these now considered a waste of time? Is the individual who wants to study for the purpose of self-defense and self-improvement to be forgotten or pressed into something not really desired? Of what value are the traditional martial arts as we have come to understand them in the last few decades in light of the presence of MMA?

I suggest that this topic will generate some discussion. But it’s very important to understand that I am interested in knowing why people value martial arts in general and what the place of traditional arts is for them. If you love these arts and see a place for them in light of the popularity of MMA, I am curious to know what you think that place is and how it is best secured.

A member of my family called and asked about getting a gun for self-defense because a woman down the street from her had been shot to death. My answer was not well received. I told her that she did not need a gun unless she was willing to go through training, get a carry license then go through even more training with me and some of my friends who can fill in what you really need to know to be an armed citizen, things not taught in concealed carry classes. One of the main things that is left out of the whole picture is, “are you mentally prepared to take the life of someone else!” Are you ready for the aftermath of an altercation in which someone dies as a result of your actions, justified or not.”

If not then you have no business with a firearm, knife or sword to protect yourself, because if you hesitate for an instant the odds are you will have your own weapon used against you by the bad guy. If you can live with these thing, really live with them then you may be a candidate for carrying a weapon, but you have to really examine your heart of hearts not just blurt out some fanciful answer because I can tell you from experience that once you go down that road you are never the same ever!

It is often amusing or perhaps even a bit sad to meet people in the martial arts who think that having to do battle with someone trying to harm you is in some way fun or glamorous. Most of them have never been in real combat and so have a skewed idea based on Hollywood fantasy of what combat is. This is especially true in Taijiquan and Baguazhang students who seldom engage in any type of realistic full speed combative practice. That being said let me also say that there is no sparring or safe form of combative practice that can really prepare you for a real altercation where there are no rules. This is also very true among so many people that I have come into contact with who glorify fighting with edged weapons. In truth there is nothing scarier or more bloody than a knife fight. Anyone who really wants to be involved in one is living in la la land and needs to be on a psychiatrist couch or under heavy medication for the sake of us all.

One of my favorite Japanese films depicts the reality of facing a sharp blade. The film is Rashomon (1950) a Japanese drama directed by Akira Kurosawa depicts an episode of rape and murder in a forest. The story is told by four witnesses, each from their own point of view and each is very different from the other. What is of interest for our discussion is the way two central characters the bandit Tajômaru and the husband of the raped woman Kanazawa-no-Takehiro a samurai engage in a realistic version of a real sword fight.

I say realistic because in the true version of the story told by a woodcutter we see the two of combatants fully realize the horror of what it means to engage with another person in a combat with razor sharp weapons. There is no stylized fighting the bandit is armed with a Chinese straight sword (jian) and the Samurai has a samurai sword (katana). What struck me was that they are both trembling with fear and rage so much so that the swords are seen to be shaking.

During the fight they run at each other and then separate far apart staying well clear of their opponent’s blades. They go full out trying to use as much force as possible to cleave their enemy into the force of their cuts and thrusts often make them fall on the uneven ground. It is not pretty or fancy it is two crazed men attempting to hack each other to death. That is pretty close to what a real fight with blades looks like. How do I know? If I have to tell you then you really do not need to know.

Keep your training real if it is with a blade, your hands or a firearm, be sure you do not play at being some idealistic hero in a movie, take a practical view, look at what really happens in a combative situation in the real world. Today You Tube is a good place to get the hell scared out of you. There are many examples of real street combat. Most of them are not on martial You Tube channels. When you see these you get closer to understanding what really happens when people lose control and go at each other with fist, Feet or anything that comes to hand. Be real in your training if you claim it is for self defense.

Shifu John P. Painter

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