The “Art” of Karate (Martial “Arts”)

Caveat: This article is mine and mine alone. I the author of this article assure you, the reader, that any of the opinions expressed here are my own and are a result of the way in which my meandering mind interprets a particular situation and/or concept. The views expressed here are solely those of the author in his private capacity and do not in any way represent the views of other martial arts and/or conflict/violence professionals or authors of source materials. It should be quite obvious that the sources I used herein have not approved, endorsed, embraced, friended, liked, tweeted or authorized this article. (Everything I think and write is true, within the limits of my knowledge and understanding. Oh, and just because I wrote it and just because it sounds reasonable and just because it makes sense, does not mean it is true.) 

Please make note that this article/post is my personal analysis of the subject and the information used was chosen or picked by me. It is not an analysis piece because it lacks complete and comprehensive research, it was not adequately and completely investigated and it is not balanced, i.e., it is my personal view without the views of others including subject experts, etc. Look at this as “Infotainment rather then expert research.” This is an opinion/editorial article/post meant to persuade the reader to think, decide and accept or reject my premise. It is an attempt to cause change or reinforce attitudes, beliefs and values as they apply to martial arts and/or self-defense. It is merely a commentary on the subject in the particular article presented

First, this article is inspired by a short video made by Jesse Enkamp of “Karate by Jesse” fame, here it is give it a listen:

I found that Enkamp Sensei spoke well on the subject of what it means to him when he labels his karate an art. A key feature here is learning and change, the acceptance of both as something intrinsic toward the practice of an art.

In my article today I am going to go a bit further in how I explain the “Art” of karate or any Martial “Art.” To study and practice an art is an art unto itself simply because it involves so many concepts and attitudes of being a human “Being.” 

Art is literally, “An ‘Expression’ or ‘Application” of human creative skill and imagination. It is most often expressed in a visual form such as a painting or sculpture but for the art of a martial discipline it is expressed in things like “Attitude, Demeanor, Skill (Physically, Mentally and Philosophically), etc.”

What makes such expressions and applications unique in a martial discipline like, “Karate,” is that it inter-connects mind, body and spirit through actions, thoughts, and deeds along with those expressions and applications that result in byproducts such as health, fitness, well-bing and that intrinsic ability to apply that expertise for that human condition in all things concerning conflict, violence and violent conflict - especially those that are about human communications, etc.

The branches of “Art” most are familiar with come as creative activities that produce concreter forms such as paintings, music, literature and dance as can be readily observed and studied through Okinawan cultural dances that inter-connect with martial practices such as karate. The biggest difference in martial disciplines is the product or expression and applications go beyond mere presentation observation and into actual action that permeates every facet of one’s life, not just dojo life.

Art is also personal expression and application of one’s culture and cultural beliefs of a esoteric kind that permeates the art of martial discipline. It is that expression and application of things like, “Self-awareness, Self-discipline, Self-analysis, Personal Growth, ability toward acceptance and change, etc.” In other words an ability toward flexibility and acceptance of the impermanence of life and therefore that of the art itself where growth and enlightenment is a product of the practice, training, expression and application of the discipline of choice. 

A Martial “Art” allows the distinction and differences of systems upon which princples are used as foundation so that each systems expressions and applications although different still remain steadfast to the underlying principles so that all forms achieve efficiency, proficiency, expression, application toward all of life’s situations, etc.

When we express our application of martial disciplines we achieve group inter-connectedness that fosters societal cultural cohesion that literally expresses an individuality with others making for a unique and surviving social belief system that benefits the entire group.

This and many other personal aspects lead toward what makes martial disciplines an “Art” while retaining and maintaining the system or disciplines traditional origins of defense, fighting and combatives. The art allows us to achieve more while the origins or essence provides us the tools to combat life’s obstacles of conflict, violence and violent conflicts - that permeate every facet of living as humans.