True Brilliance of Martial Arts

Black Belt often receives letters that go something like this: “The techniques shown in the photos in your October issue were inferior to the way my art would handle that situation,” or “Those so-and-so’s from the bla-bla system couldn’t fight their way out of a paper bag, so put me on the cover ‘cause I’m better.”

This approach doesn’t ring my bell. We’re not interested in bragging or one-upmanship. We’re interested in people who show wisdom, talent, knowledge, respect, humility and most of all character.

We get letters like that because we publish articles about all martial arts. We illustrate those articles with technique photos that guide readers through attack-and-defense scenarios. We like this method because it leaves readers in charge of what they conclude about the styles and their techniques. We strive never to argue that any style is superior to any other; rather, we wish to be a source of information.

Most rational martial artists would agree that the variation in skill level within any given style on any given day can determine who wins as easily as that style’s supposed technical superiority over another style. Sooner or later, every martial artist who thinks he is king of the hill gets trounced.

Fortunately or unfortunately— you make the call—martial artists can’t test the true validity of their styles in the sporting arena because every competition has rules. Those rules prohibit athletes from excessively injuring each other, and whenever unsportsmanlike conduct is exhibited, the fight is stopped. One athlete is then fined or suspended, and we can still maintain in our collective psyche the notion that we are a civilized people.

Trying to prove that one art is best is as difficult as trying to find the meaning of life. Imagine how boring life would be if we stopped looking for answers. We would no longer need to better ourselves. Striving for perfection would be low on our list of priorities. That is why the closer to the answer we think we are, the more confusing and controversial the question becomes. I think it’s supposed to be that way.

Some martial artists may think the answer lies with who is left standing at the end of the day. If that’s how you think, maybe you should re-examine the fundamentals of your art. A legendary fighter who has dedicated his life to teaching the martial arts recently said:

“When you win a world championship, it is for that day, so you might want to remember that you will spend much more of your life not fighting than fighting. Once your fighting days are over, what are you going to do?” The answer to that question is character development.

The true brilliance of the martial arts lies in what they add to the human experience. The arts help build character. They help us overcome obstacles. They also help us have fun, make friends and stay healthy. They can rival any other art form on the planet as a true means of expression. And in the right hands at the right time, they can be used to defend life. This amounts to a moment of greatness that we strive to achieve and hope never to use—true poetry, if you ask me. — Michael James (Publisher, Black Belt, p.6, April, 2000).