Martial Categories: Clarification and Classification

Abstract

The gradual appearance and relative stabilisation of the names of different kinds of martial activities in different cultures and contexts has led to confusion and to an unhelpful and unjustifiable elision of meanings, which merges different modes of combat and other martial activities. To gain a clearer perspective on this area, we must enquire into the criteria according to which the various kinds of martial activities are (or should be) classified. Our assessment of the literature suggests that there is no satisfactory and well-justified overall cross-cultural account of the classification of martial activities. This paper provides a revisionary classification and offers an explanation and a justification of the five main categories identified: close combat, warrior arts, martial paths, martial arts and martial sports; as well as some minor ones, such as martial training, martial therapy, martial display, martial games and martial dance.

Keywords:

• martial activities
• close combat
• warrior arts
• martial arts
• martial paths
• martial sports
• ethics
• education

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

The term Samurai brings to mind ancient warriors from feudal Japan covered head to toe in ornate armour. Today, people across the world still take part in Samurai training. Schools educate both beginners and those already skilled in martial arts. Although learning kendo (sword fighting) does not have as much relevance today as in feudal Japan, it still teaches discipline and physical fitness. Plus, it is just a lot of fun hitting other people with big, wooden, training swords. When choosing a training programme, consider the experience and qualifications of the instructor, who should have a strong background in martial arts.

Read more: Samurai Training Schools | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/list_6752035_samurai-training-schools.html#ixzz1ybxpmLyB

1. It is important to highlight that a classification of martial activities produces a set of eidetic categories, rather than a description of currently or historically existing kinds (and so these should not be seen as empirical categories) – even though historical kinds of fighting may be a suitable way to start the inquiry.

2. Since this article is primarily written with reference to human movement and sports studies, we will not directly address the primary martial activity – warfare. Nor shall we discuss those martial skills to be used only in long-range warfare, such as those required for controlling tanks, planes, rockets, artillery and (except for their possible use in close combat) rifles.

3. East Asian systems such as Shintoism, Confucianism, Zen Buddhism and Taoism do not fit easily into the Western classifications of philosophies or religions (see e.g. Watts 1989, 3ff).

4. It is interesting to note that, in the first Olympic Games in Athens in 1896, both target and distance versions of the javelin throw were contested.

5. Fencing might be seen as something of a borderline case, but in our view it is clearly a contact sport, since it involves direct attacks to the body, rather than aiming at a ‘target’, as archery does.

6. This section brings a whole fresh meaning, which is denied to us by current practice, to the term martial ‘arts’!

7. In fiction, consider the film series The Hunger Games (based on Collins 2008); and in gaming, amongst many examples, see http://www.kongregate.com/gladiator-games.

8. A collective term for different kinds of ultimate fights. See the terms of Van Bottenburg and Heilbron (2006, 261).

Additional information

Funding

This paper was written with institutional support PRVOUK P39.

Notes on contributors

Irena Martínková

Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Charles University in Prague, Prague 6, Czech Republic.

Jim Parry

Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Charles University in Prague, Prague 6, Czech Republic.