Publisher's Synopsis
IntroductionMartial arts are codified systems and traditions of combat practiced for a number of reasons such as self-defense; military and law enforcement applications; competition; physical, mental, and spiritual development; entertainment; and the preservation of a nation's intangible cultural heritageAlthough the term martial art has become associated with the fighting arts of East Asia, it originally referred to the combat systems of Europe as early as the 1550s. The term is derived from Latin and means "arts of Mars", the Roman god of war. Some authors have argued that fighting arts or fighting systems would be more appropriate on the basis that many martial arts were never "martial" in the sense of being used or created by professional warriors.The martial art of boxing was practiced in ancient Thera. Variation and scopeMartial arts may be categorized using a variety of criteria, including: -Traditional/historical arts vs. contemporary styles: e.g., folk wrestling compared to modern hybrid martial arts.-Techniques taught: armed vs. unarmed, and within these categoriesoarmed: by type of weapon (swordsmanship, stick fighting etc.)ounarmed: by type of combat (grappling vs. striking, stand-up fighting vs. ground fighting)-By application or intent: self-defense, combat sport, choreography or demonstration of forms, physical fitness, meditation, etc. By technical focusUnarmedUnarmed martial arts can be broadly grouped into those focusing on strikes, those focusing on grappling, and those that cover both fields, often described as hybrid martial arts.Strikes-Punching: Boxing, Wing Chun, Karate-Kicking: Taekwondo, Capoeira, Savate-Others using strikes: Lethwei, Muay Thai, Kung Fu, Pencak Silat, KalaripayattuGrappling-Throwing: Hapkido, Judo, Sumo, Wrestling, Aikido-Joint lock/Chokeholds/Submission holds: Judo, Jujutsu, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Sambo, Kung Fu-Pinning Techniques: Judo, Wrestling, AikidoArmedThe traditional martial arts that cover armed combat often encompass a wide spectrum of melee weapons, including bladed weapons and polearms. Such traditions include eskrima, silat, kalaripayat, kobudo, and historical European martial arts, especially those of the German Renaissance. Many Chinese martial arts also feature weapons as part of their curriculum.Sometimes, training with one specific weapon may be considered a style in its own right, especially in the case of Japanese martial arts, with disciplines such as kenjutsu and kendo (sword), bojutsu (staff), and kyudo (archery). Similarly, modern martial arts and sports include modern fencing, stick-fighting systems like canne de combat, and modern competitive archery.By application or intentCombat-orientedMain articles: Combat sport and Self-defenseHealth-orientedMany martial arts, especially those from Asia, also teach side disciplines which pertain to medicinal practices. This is particularly prevalent in traditional Asian martial arts which may teach bone-setting, herbalism, and other aspects of traditional medicine.[4]Spirituality-orientedMartial arts can also be linked with religion and spirituality. Numerous systems are reputed to have been founded, disseminated, or practiced by monks or nuns.Throughout the Asian arts, meditation may be incorporated as a part of training. In the arts influenced by a mix of Chan Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian philosophy, the practice itself may be used as an aid to attaining mindfulness.Japanese styles, when concerning non-physical qualities of the combat, are often strongly influenced by Mahayana Buddhist philosophy. Concepts like "empty mind" and "beginner's mind" are recurrent. Aikido practitioners for instance, can have a strong philosophical belief of the flow of energy and peace fostering, as idealised by the art's founder Morihei Ueshiba.
