Why the interest in WMA/HEMA?

[Eric Meulemans]

Just ideas for the moment, principally rhetorical to explain the purpose of this poll, but all comments welcome:

I am in process of preparing a proposal for my Master's thesis in history, and while the particulars are as yet unclear, at this point I've no doubt I'm settling on some examination of the revival of study into Western Martial Arts. I am interested to examine what it is that drives the revival in WMA today and how it compares to previous revivals through history. What creates and maintains our interest in an "archaic" and "obsolete" tradition, how does it differ from its purposes in the past, and what benefit may it have for us today?

In asking the question "Why?" I found it interesting that I myself could not satisfactorially answer the question: Why the interest? Why study the sword, or other "outmoded" weapons, and their use? It's something I've had an interest in all my life, and I feel passionate about, but why? There are many reasons of course, and after all, why does anyone study anything - astronomy, geology, biology, etc. - but simply put, I was curious to see what others felt their principal reasons were and how they benefit from it.

I have started the poll with a few options and will add more (if I can) as they come up. I know that for most, if not all of us, the reasons are multiple, but I'm asking that you please choose the one most strongly relevant behind your interest in WMA. I look forward to hearing from you all.

[Matt Bryant]

I put "Some Other Reason" due to the fact that I could not go under any single category. You can put me down as: "More direct connection with the past", "Keeps me in shape", and "Broadens my martial skills".

[Nathan Dexter]

I would say i count as all of them exept the reenactor/performer part. So as of yet I havent voted.

[Mike Sega]

Important question. As others I believe many of these apply but specifically for me, physical excersise has always been easier for me when I have a purpose other than physical exercise. Lifting weights for lifting weights bores me to death, lifting weights to improve specific muscles so I can do certain things easier always works better.

[JeffGentry]

I mark some other reason, I grew up around the military and spent 6 yrs in the US Marine's so i have alway's been around it and to me this is just an extention and diffrent mod eof combat.

Jeff

[Jeremiah Backhaus]

I marked "more directly links me with the past" because I feel that is the largest part, but I would be lying if I said it wasn't more than that. I think I am in the same category as Matt Bryant, there are a lot of other reasons, but personally the "simpler" style of ancient living is something I want to get closer to.

This is a great poll, though could use more options...

-Jeremiah

[Mars Healey]

I put down that I enjoy the exercises, since it's my main form of a workout. But I also use it to connect to my European roots and feel it's a part of my history. I've also studied many martial arts and feel it's part of rounding out my training.

[Shane Smith]

I'm competitive by nature and I like to put myself to the test against other skilled fighters. I just like to fight

[Rod-Thornton]

I just like to fight

No Joke? Never would've suspected it!

[Thomas Pancoast]

Just ideas for the moment, principally rhetorical to explain the purpose of this poll, but all comments welcome:

I am in process of preparing a proposal for my Master's thesis in history, and while the particulars are as yet unclear, at this point I've no doubt I'm settling on some examination of the revival of study into Western Martial Arts. I am interested to examine what it is that drives the revival in WMA today and how it compares to previous revivals through history. What creates and maintains our interest in an "archaic" and "obsolete" tradition, how does it differ from its purposes in the past, and what benefit may it have for us today?

In asking the question "Why?" I found it interesting that I myself could not satisfactorially answer the question: Why the interest? Why study the sword, or other "outmoded" weapons, and their use? It's something I've had an interest in all my life, and I feel passionate about, but why? There are many reasons of course, and after all, why does anyone study anything - astronomy, geology, biology, etc. - but simply put, I was curious to see what others felt their principal reasons were and how they benefit from it.

I have started the poll with a few options and will add more (if I can) as they come up. I know that for most, if not all of us, the reasons are multiple, but I'm asking that you please choose the one most strongly relevant behind your interest in WMA. I look forward to hearing from you all.

I put some other reason as I fall into many categories. I did a number of eastern martial arts over the years but was always interested in the western swords despite what my instructors said to me over the years. I also like the feeling of being able to honor my western martial heritage. In addition I find swords very beautiful especially the Albion Brescia Spadona.

[Will Adamson]

Me like-um swords!

Perhaps I'm compensating.

To tell you the truth, it's the farthest I could get from TKD while still doing a martial art. On the other hand you might say that TKD is the farthest you can get from HEMA while doing something that is called a martial art.

Also, there tends to be a much more robust academic element to HEMA rather than the old, "my master says so" goose stepping into oblivion of most EMA I've been around.