What defines a martial artist

[gileanofgrey]

In my life i've taken the following arts and attained the following ranks:

Shotokan karate: Brown belt
Shito ryu karate: yellow belt
Judo: orange belt
bujinkan: Shidan
Kendo: nidan
iaido: just started

I ask the question because i've seen many of you the common posters like perma and many others talk about what you know and you guys clearly know light years more than I do. If someone asked me about you I would say "yes he/she is a martial artist. I am not here looking for a pat on the back and have you say the same about me. But I am asking more for a general opinion as to what defines one? Is it lenght? Belt ranking? Tournaments won? What?

What do you guys think?

[goodlun]

I am asking more for a general opinion as to what defines one? Is it lenght? Belt ranking? Tournaments won? What?

How about we keep it simple and just say its someone that does martial arts be it a white belt that just started today or the guy that has been doing it his whole life.

[Permalost]

You're not a true martial artist until you get a desktop wallpaper of a weeaboo holding a sword outdoors with a trite saying written on it.

[DCS]

IMO, a martial artist is the one who pursues living a virtuous life using martial arts as the supporting technology.

And what Permalost has just said, of course.

[ghost55]

Obviously a true martial artist has attained complete master of Kung Fu treachery!

[Eudemic]

A martial artist is anyone who studies, practices and/or otherwise associates themselves with the martial arts.

Pretty simple.

[surferdude]

Just substitute martial artist for man. And it is DEFINITELY the titties.

[W. Rabbit]

You're not a true martial artist UNTIL you have a backstory that includes martial arts training that you can't use until your absolutely darkest hour, at which point your skills will just explode upon the face of the enemy in the moment of truth with no fear or regret.

That training must also have an animal avatar, be it tiger, crane, or hamster.

[Hadzu]

Everyone knows that true martial arts prowess stems not from fighting, but from painting fences, delivering milk while hoisting a giant turtle shell on your back, and/or chasing chickens. Also, I've heard many a butthurt chunner confirm that the people who post on this forum aren't true martial artists, so anyone who wants t3h r34l budo will have to steer clear of this webspace.

[Eudemic]

. . . and/or chasing chickens.

Hey, don't hate- It works for Link.

[Hadzu]

Hey, don't hate- It works for Link.

He's not alone.

[Eudemic]

. . . Does that mean that the Zelda games are all technically just giant, interactive training-montages?

[W. Rabbit]

You guys see Karate Kid all wrong. It's a father/son flick, not a martial arts movie.

Miyagi-san really just saw a whiny little child he needed to turn into a man, so in true fashion he adopts him as a surrogate son. It just so happens Miyagi is an heir to badass ancient Okinawan fighting arts.

You can be damned sure my son is going to be washing my car, painting the house, and sanding the floors. Now he can fight in karate tournaments AND make some money helping out as a local contractor/handyman, pay for gas. All of this will make Daniel's bitching cease, and Miyagi can enjoy his bonzai grooming and fly catching in peace.

Jesus even gave the kid a car so he could get laid on his birthday. Miyagi is the best movie dad, ever.

[surferdude]

You guys see Karate Kid all wrong. It's a father/son flick, not a martial arts movie.

Miyagi-san really just saw a whiny little child he needed to turn into a man, so in true fashion he adopts him as a surrogate son. It just so happens Miyagi is an heir to badass ancient Okinawan fighting arts.

You can be damned sure my son is going to be washing my car, painting the house, and sanding the floors. Now he can fight in karate tournaments AND make some money helping out as a local contractor/handyman, pay for gas. All of this will make Daniel's bitching cease, and Miyagi can enjoy his bonzai grooming and fly catching in peace.

Jesus even gave the kid a car so he could get laid on his birthday. Miyagi is the best movie dad, ever.

Chojun Miyagi founded Goju Ryu, and it ain't that ancient. You may know that you, just sayin'.

And I read a rant, that lays out how Daniel was the bad guy. It was highlarious. I read another that contends it was responsible for the pussification of karate. That one was disturbingly plausible.

[Eudemic]

Please, good sir, grant us links?