I have been asked several times over the years, why study stuff for which you won't ever have any use? Like swords and stuff? Isn't it just a waste of time?Here is a reason. It just takes the once to justify it.
I have been asked several times over the years, why study stuff for which you won't ever have any use? Like swords and stuff? Isn't it just a waste of time?
I notice noone ever seems to object to anyone training CPR, despite the fact that you could make exactly the same argument against it. Anyway, why does everything we do have to be routinely practical? I vote for "fun, pointless, swashbuckling, and just way cool", at least sometimes.
ReplyDeleteNot that I really believe that even the most obscure martial arts bit can't turn out to be useful. I remember reading about some bouncer who was studying a karate kata that included one of those archaic moves where you jump up and kick Bad Guy On Horse. Completely useless in today's horseless urban environment... until someone waited outside the bouncer's bar and tried to run him down with a car.
Some guy
There's a great argument for martial arts: they're good exercise and they're interesting enough to keep doing them over the years. And since they also provide defensive value (or not, depending on the art) you're better off doing MA than running on a treadmill, say.
ReplyDeleteI sometimes wonder about this question myself, though. Trouble is I can't seem to quit.
PBS ran a special on the composer Philip Glass recently. At one point, his quigong teacher was talking. He said, With sitting meditation, if you don't find enlightenment, you're stuck. With moving meditation, if you don't find enlightenment, at least you're in good shape ...
ReplyDeleteI'd've said this was an argument *against* waving 3' razor blades around; maybe that's just me.
ReplyDeleteBut it begs the question, Anon -- what if somebody does start waving a razor blade around, and it's in your face, and you happen to be backed into a corner?
ReplyDeleteMartial arts training as a way to keep fit or have fun is perfectly valid, but there is also another reason, and the reason most of us get into them in the first place.
An option, when the shit hits the fan.
Might not be much of one, but you can't win the lottery if you don't have a ticket.
Go over to Dojo rats and watch that sword vid:
ReplyDeletehttp://dojorat.blogspot.com/