whats the point for using swords and spears in martial arts?

Question

In just one stab they are going to kill someone right? Whats the point of learning them, since they are banned and they can be used kill easily by just stabbing? sorry if this sounds stupid. Thanks :D.

Answer 1

Great answers by everyone, if I can throw in my two cents...



First, traditional weapons as a form of warfare in the most basic sense are definitely outdated by the onset of firearms. However you may not always have a firearm on your person, but you may often find other objects that can be used as defensive and offensive weapons. A familiarity with a variety of weapons (long and short, stiff and flexible) are very helpful in spontaneously using other objects to defend yourself.



Secondly, traditional weapons training correlate directly into unarmed techniques. All the techniques in the weapons forms have a bare-hand counter part. Therefore they provide another methodology for improving your hand to hand fight game like understanding balance and mobility.



Thirdly, weapons training provides a weighted (depending on the style) aspect to your training. For example, the Kwan Dao, a very heavy Chinese halberd (anywhere from 4 to 100 lbs), gives an excellent body conditioning exercise that practices all the bare-hand techniques of striking, kicking, seizing and controlling, and wrestling and grappling. These exercises are akin to using weights to strengthen the body, but they correlate directly to the martial techniques and overall coordination of the human body.



Finally there is the aesthetic and health value of the exercises. It can be beautiful to perform and watch these forms that are so beneficial to your overall well being.



Ultimately there is so much more to practicing traditional weapons outside of just maintaining a supposedly outdated martial system.

Answer 2

There is 2 parts to your question. What is the point of learning them and what is the point of learning them if they are banned?



Martial art training includes weapons training because at the heart of all training is the search for expanding the application of the principles that you have mastered. All the unarmed techniques are simply the outward expression of idea or ideas on which the style is based. The addition of weapons is a way to further apply it to tools/weapons that extends your capabilities. If you truly have master the founding ideas of your art, then you should be able to apply it using anything.



Why learn something that is illegal to carried? Although it is unlikely you will be attacked by someone with a sword or spear, the skill and technique behind the sword and spear can be apply to a staff, stick, or knife. Plus, criminals don't care what is legal or illegal. That's why that are called criminals and if you ever find yourself needing to defend against one using an blade or say a steel pipe you would be in a better position to defend yourself.

Answer 3

Martial arts are intended to self defense or war. The systems were mostly developed when swords and spears would have been the most common weapons on the battlefield so they've remained in the curriculum.



If you ask what's the point of learning to use them I'll ask you this: If you and I fight but you've got the best hand to hand skills in the world and all I can do is windmill my arms, who is more likely to win? Now if you put weapons in our hands and your training teaches you to deflect, counter and attack efficiently, even with a weapon I wouldn't be doing much more than windmilling while you skewer me.



As has been said, weapons are usually taught as an extension of your hand to hand techniques. There is a lot of knowledge to be gained from weapons training and better understanding for your empty hand techniques.

Answer 4

Outstanding answer by Fat Cobra. It confirms he really has an understanding of his art. My answer: My Art is Toudijutsu. My first main style is Goju Ryu and I know the whole system. I only teach the 12 Kata that made up Chojun Miyagi's system, though he also developed Miyagi no Sanchin, a shortened version of Sanchin Kata. I also teach it for reference and in case they want to do it. I also incorporate Shorin Ryu Kata as I have learned a few. I believe the two Ryu from Shorin and Naha complement each other and should be taught together. I also studied Chinese Internal Arts - Sun style Hsing and Chin Na theory, Yichuan and I am currently learning Yong Chun White Crane Fist. As for the "core", the Okinawan Arts are governed by principles, concepts, theory that help you discover the proper body mechanics. Breath, Intention, Alignment, are all part of technique. Footwork, Koshi - Tenshin - all go into making technique. The Poem of the Eight Fists in Bubishi also make up this body of laws that make you proficient in your art: 1. The mind is one with heaven and earth. 2. The circulatory rhythm of the body is similar to the cycle of the sun and the moon. 3. The way of inhaling and exhaling is hardness and softness. 4. Act in accordance with time and change. 5. Techniques will occur in the absence of conscious thought. 6. The feet must advance and retreat, separate and meet. 7. The eyes do not miss even the slightest change. 8. The ears listen well in all directions. I wholeheartedly emphasize these 8 precepts as they are pertinent to the execution of my Art. It is also where Chojun Miyagi got the name for his Art - Goju Ryu, from the two characters in the third line that read "Hardness" and "Softness". The kata of Goju Ryu have many ripping and tearing techniques, twisting, yanking-pulling, sinking and rising. Shorin Ryu is more precisely related to Fujian White Crane which shoots energy into the opponent and Goju Ryu is more related to the Hakka Kuen which tears, grips, crushes and rips into the opponent. The footwork of both use different approaches to throwing and unbalancing. Shorin Ryu uses Tai Otoshi and evasive leaping while Goju Ryu's footwork wraps around and twists, torquing with full body Tenshin movements. This is evident in Sanshin Kihon where the turning consists of stepping across with the forward foot into Bensoku Dachi - Crossleg Stance and completing the turn. Shorin postures are "Hanmi" where Goju Ryu Postures are squared straight in front of the opponent. My Chinese Arts greatly Influence my Okinawan Arts which actually just happens and all for the better. This is why I call what I do and teach - Toudijutsu. As Fat Cobra says, there really isn't one factor that can be recognized as a "core" in Karatejutsu/Toudijutsu, hence the long here, there and everywhere explanation. But I wish there was because these type of questions draw out some drawn out answers!

Answer 5

Weapons training in many martial arts is just an extension of that martial art and many times certain empty hand techniques also carry over and apply to the use and work with weapons. During feudal times these weapons would actually be used in combat and fighting and so a person's skill not only without a weapon was important but also their skill with those weapons. Because of this weapons are sometimes included and taught today in martial arts schools and there is weapons kata competition held at tournaments and also schools that teach weapons also include it for some part of their testing and promotion requirements usually. The skill, knowledge, and understanding of being good with a weapon and its use is the same skill, knowledge, and understanding that it takes to be good at empty hand martial arts really but just applied in a different way sometimes.

Answer 6

hello,



it doesn't sound stupid at all, so don't apologize.



as previously stated, most of our combative traditions were developed before the coming of firearms or judicial systems.



the point... well... the point is just to learn. we are a race of associative thinkers. basically what this means is that we are always trying to "connect the dots" in every situation. in the case of weapon training, we are trying to connect ourselves with people that are gone now. we will never be able to "know what they knew", but we can try to associate certain actions with certain motivations to get an approximate understanding of their experience and contributions to our daily lives.



this is why we learn just about everything that we learn. sure, we change things, we modify things, but the associative aspect is always a part of what we are doing.



if we go a step further, there is always an effort at preserving skills in the event of some change in the world in which conveniences are gone. something like a precautionary effort.



an example might be farming. we have machines and science that make farming very efficient, but we still have future farmers of america that teaches basic farming skills. why? all of the machines and science won't make sense unless you have basic understanding to put it all into proper context. also, should the machines and technology fail, basic skills will have been preserved, ensuring survival of the species.



well, warrior skills are more about killing than survival, but we (humans) are warlike. we like knowing how to kill. mind you, this isn't necessarily because we enjoy killing, but our racial psychology accepts that sometimes, killing is necessary (evidenced by large military forces and police with guns).



the point is, that on some level, swords and spears is just part of who and what humans are. therefore there will always be some segment of the human population interested in examining the skills involved in wielding them, even if only for academic curiosity.



thanks

Answer 7

If you watch a lot of television, you will invariably see firearms being used in virtually every situation. In real life, this is not always the case. Edge weapons (knives, swords, etc.) can be lethal if you take a direct hit to a vital region of your body. Martial arts that deal with defending against edge weapons usually involve deflection of the arm or hand carrying the weapon and some even specialize in disarming your opponent placing the edge weapon in your hand.



When defending against someone carrying an edge weapon, the chances of being cut in some regard is high. But it not need be a fatal wound. With the proper training, you can defend yourself or yourself and other individuals. Look up Command Krav Maga as an example of a hand to hand combat method that deals strongly in edge weapon fighting.

Answer 8

Many martial arts have war origins and were developed in much earlier times. Swords and spears were often used in war.



Why you learn that is up to you. Interested in older styles of fighting.. maybe has some application today.. you just think swords and spears are cool.. there are a million reasons.

Answer 9

Hand eye coordination... in many cases the techniques enforce what you learn in the hand forms. It's also a preservation of historic knowledge.



Though bladed weapons are not readily available in today's society, you can use the same techniques defending yourself using items that are available in today's society a shovel, a garden hoe, stick, curtain rod, base ball bat, golf club, fire place poker, carving knife...

Answer 10

The point for using these weapons is...well...the point. Pointed objects can pierce skin and damage the internal organs, causing death.



If you're ever in a street fight, I hope you spell out that these items are banned before you fight back.

Answer 11

its a different level of training for one. they require different coordination skills,

i take iaido for relaxing, it is like a moving zen. batto-jutsu (cutting) is about accuracy and precision.

the also help build muscles, and many people, especially kids love to use weapons it keeps them from being bored in martial arts.





edit: an John has an excellent point about it begin an extension of your training or of your martial art

Answer 12

Whats the point of using your hands in karate?

Answer 13

We all fight boredom in different ways.

Answer 14

It doesn't have to be about self-defense.