The Pursuit of Craft: Why Do Martial Arts at All?

Why do martial arts at all?

This question emerges from both those outside the discipline and experienced practitioners themselves. It’s worth considering the deeper purpose behind martial training beyond tournaments or physical conditioning.

The Craft Itself

Watching students practicing solo work at Academie Duello, I notice they aren’t there solely to win competitions or achieve fitness goals. Instead, they’re honing their craft - engaging in deliberate, sustained practice that transforms the art into something meaningful.

They show up before class starts. They stay after. They practice footwork in hallways and cutting patterns in their kitchens. Not because anyone is watching, but because the practice itself has value.

Journey Over Destination

The key insight involves shifting focus from destination to journey. To pursue a craft is to center yourself on the journey rather than the destination.

Many practitioners have learned that consistent engagement with martial arts provides dual rewards: familiarity and ongoing discovery. The more you know, the more you realize there is to know. Mastery isn’t a destination but a direction.

Goals Are Secondary

Goals matter less than showing up repeatedly. While tournaments and sparring offer temporary motivation, dedicated practitioners understand that even if a goal has just passed or their next one is a dauntingly far distance off, they’ll be here every day anyway.

The real value lies in the discipline itself.

A tournament is one day. A rank exam is one hour. But practice is every day, for years, for decades. If the only value is in the milestone, you’re missing 99% of the experience.

Release the Question

I encourage practitioners to release the constant question of “why” and instead embrace the peace and reward in showing up again and again.

The question “why do martial arts?” is answered by doing martial arts. The doing is the reason. The practice is the purpose.

When you find yourself questioning whether to go to training, notice what happens when you simply go anyway. The question dissolves in the doing.