In their natural habitat, do these Oriental martial-arts types break bricks etc. as part of some daily regimen?
Or is that just a parlor trick, a side effect of their training used to entertain Western audiences?
Here’s a WAG,
Martial arts originated in one of the poorest places in Asia at the time (Okinawa). They invented the craft because the had no access to real weapons. I imagine, that if they even had a spare brick laying around they wouldn’t be chopping it in half to impress the neighbors. I think they were more practical than that: First, throw the brick at your enemy and then use the “bare-handed” art as a last resort.
I think they use martial arts to focus their minds and to discipline themselves. So yes, it is a daily practice thing. My guess is that the primary use of martial arts is not for fighting.
i was in shaolin earlier last year, where my entourage was given a show by some of the monks.
half of their performance consisted of parlour tricks such as eating glass, breaking things on their heads, even inviting us to kick them in the yarbles.
even at dinner, one of our sifu companions entertained us by breaking chopsticks with an RMB bill. our servers did not seem pleased.
and you know what? not once did i ask why.
just thought i’d share. : )
what is essential is invisible to the eye -the fox
Welly, welly, well!
The monks probably get their strength from drinking the spiky moloko plus at the Korova milk bar.
I’ve gotta read that book again. (A Clockwork Orange)
Well, yes they can do that, but they probably normally don’t.
Another reason the Okinawans did what they did was because they were utterly forbidden to use weapons by the Japanese, that’s where the art pretty much came from.
I’m sure Glitch could tell it better (him having studied it for some thirty years, give or take) but I’m going to show off my limited knowledge.
Martial arts are two things. 1) Martial. 2) Art. The martial aspect comes from learning how to kick people’s asses. The art aspect comes from the kata, the exercise, the discipline.
That’s my take on it.
I sold my soul to Satan for a dollar. I got it in the mail.