How authentic is your art?

I was pointed to this article by a friend - though not about aikido or a mainstream art, it begs the question:  Are all martial arts not quite what they should be?

With most arts now studied as a hobby, pastime, leisure activity, tailored as it were to suit and literally an age away from their real application and purpose; are the arts being watered down, losing their real focus and impact? 

Even Aikido tends to be more and more leaning to the art side - beautiful and effective, but moving away from its real state as a martial art which is descended from a variety of practical combat arts. 

I always make a point of showing my students the reality and full potential of each movement i.e.  Its combat potential - what its reality is or could be.

Read the following article by John Clements:

Sword fighting is not what you think

To borrow a famous line, the problem with most people trying to understanding the true nature of historical sword combat is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so.  Click to read more….

Do the points raised apply to your art as well?

Who is John Clements?

John Clements is a leading authority on historical fencing and one of the world’s foremost instructors of Medieval and Renaissance fighting methods. As a long-time Western martial artist who has been studying historical fencing since 1980, John is the most prolific writer on the subject of historical fencing. He has practiced European cut-and-thrust swordplay and for more than thirty years, taught on it in 15 countries, andresearched arms and armor on four continents.  He instructs both nationwide as well as internationally and (since 2005) from his one-of-a-kind private facility, Iron Door Studio, based outside Atlanta, Georgia. (ref: http://www.thearma.org/Director.htm)

To find out more about Sensei Seth's club visit www.zanshinaikido.co.uk
 You can e-mail Peter at psethp@yahoo.co.uk