How often have you heard "If you don't train weapons, you don't train a complete martial art"?

Question

Or "If you don't train with a gun you don't train a complete martial art"?

Answer 1

No, but that sounds accurate, you would be at a serious disadvantage against someone who had a weapon that was trained in its use right?

Answer 2

I havent heard that before.

Answer 3

"If you don't train with a gun you don't train a complete martial art"

since when are guns part of martial arts?

Answer 4

Never heard it but I can say from experience that there is a matter of truth in it.

take in mind that a weapon has far greater potential for damage

you have to be on your toes when working with weapons

basic factors like proper distance, balance, timing etc become twice as or even more important than during empty handed combat which in terms benefits your knowledge of empty handed combat.

During my years in aikido I've benefitted greatly from weapons training

as for guns are concerned I believe that they hold no real place in martial arts training

anybody who knows how to properly use a firearm will never allow you to get close enough for you to act.  I was trained in using all kinds of firearms and would never let my opponent in my +/- 10 foot perimeter you can try to get at some one at that distance but most likely you will be shot before you get there.

Answer 5

I wouldn't listen to anyone who would make such sweeping generalizations; who are they to make such quick judgements? are these people who have studied every martial art in history? have they gathered a consensus of oppinions from all the great masters of our age?

It's true, practicing with weapons would enhance the skills of any martial artist, but that's true of so many things that in order to really develop any skill set, you will need to prioritize some things over others

What about meditation? developing of chi/ki power?  studies of classic texts, like the book of five rings or the art of war? psychology/human social behavior?  all of these things would help one's success in a dangerous situation, but no one can do it all, so we each have to choose what we want to focus on

Answer 6

Never heard it before.

There is a grain of insight there BUT...

Training a "complete martial art" is a fallacy unless you learn for many years in a monastic (or nearly-monastic) life style that will allow you to absorb the essence of the martial art into your life.

Answer 7

I have heard variations of it. I have some weapons training under my belt so I will say this, if some one wants to kill you you won't see the weapon anyways

Answer 8

According to OKINAWAN concepts KOBUDO or the practice of weapons such as BO //SAI//NUNCHAKU//ENPI//TONFA// ARE SEPERATE AND DISTINCT ARTS AND IN THEMSELVES COMPRISE COMPLETE FIGHTING SYSTEMS.



Knowing or not knowing how to use these weapons in no way makes any other art complete or incomplete.

To approach my art in a more modern and practical way I studied KALI baton technique and cane fighting from savate .

These weapons have everyday applications and many handy substitutes can found in many situations.I dont expect to find a six foot staff or a sai laying about anytime soon.

Answer 9

Sound fishy to me. a true master needs no weapons.

Answer 10

I am a Martial Artist. I make it a point NOT to train with weapons.

A weapon can be taken away from me. If I am the weapon......

Answer 11

I pay no attention to such talk. I studied the martial arts for many years before even finding someone that knew what they were doing with the traditional weapons like (Bo, Sai, Tonfa, Yawara, Katana, Eaku).  I seriously doubt that I'll ever be attacked by anyone using one of them. We do however practice knife, gun, and club defenses.

Answer 12

From every instructor holding a 3rd dan or higher that I've met, and practically every martial arts book I have read.  Of course, you need to be careful which weapons you choose as they all emphasize different things.  For example Kenjutsu; Kenjutsu is a good martial art if you are doing Karate, because Shotokan Karate in Japan has the idea of "kime."  By actively training with a heavy wooden sword, in addition to Makiwara board drills, it increases the likelihoo of a one punch K.O.

However, if you emphasize the Bo staff, that is all about hand speed and coordination, and it is a foundational weapon for all other weapons actually.  Before learning other weapons, Shaolin tradition dictates that you must learn the staff first.  First the staff, then the spear, then the sword, then the double quarter staff (nunchaku), then the three quarter, and finally, the most dangerous and difficult of all the weapons, the chain whip.  As a general rule, most instructors will not let you train with other weapons unless you become proficient with the Bo first.  Even in the United States, that tradition has not been abandoned, let that give you an idea of its importance.  The U.S., which does not normally respect martial arts traditions, think about it.

If you want punching power, the Japanese sword.  If you want lightning fast hands, the Bo, the nunchaku, and the three quarters staff.  If you want precision and smooth flowing technique, the Chinese machete.  If you want laser beam accuracy, the Chinese straight sword.  Different weapons emphasize different things, and you fight with your fists and feet, the same way you fight with the weapon you train with.  A nunchaku expert will use punching flurries, while a Kenjutsu expert will probably use one powerful blow.

Some martial artists prefer machine guns, other martial artists prefer cannons.

To answer your question yeah, I have heard that a lot, many times, and read about it a lot.

Myself personally I really don't see the point; you only have so many years of life, and to become a master of martial arts it can take anywhere from 20 to 60 years.  Some may never even become masters because ultimately, it boils down with your progress in the meditative arts, which enhance aspects of your whole person, and without meditation no supplementary training of any kind will help indeed, all the power and skill Musashi ever had, was rooted in meditation.  He spent more time sitting in Buddhist meditation, than practicing the sword.

What is well known to historians, and lay Japanese alike, is that Musashi never trained fanatically, he spent more time in the wild, in caves, and Buddhist temples, than he did in Kenjutsu schools.

Food for thought.