Violence has Evolved
and the Martial Arts must also evolve
In this short video, Amanda Knox asks Joe Rogan whether she could defend herself against him. Rogan’s answer is a clear and confident no. Simply because he has been trained and knows how to fight. He adds that the only way she could realistically defend herself is if he were untrained.
Sounds familiar…
It reminded me of Anko Itosu’s Ten Precepts of Karate, a foundational text in Okinawan martial arts. In his very first precept, he states:
“Karate is not merely practiced for your own benefit; it can be used to protect one’s family or master. It is not intended to be used against a single assailant but instead as a way of avoiding injury by using the hands and feet should one by any chance be confronted by a villain or ruffian.”
I agree with Iain Abertnethy’s interpretation of this precept1: A villain or ruffian (I like that word) are not trained fighters… typically. A karateka is not meant to fight another karateka in the ring – we could extend this to all Martial Arts. It is meant for self-defense, self-protection.
But there’s a crucial modern caveat: today’s “ruffians” are not only violent, they’re often armed.
The original context assumed unarmed conflict. A ruffian in Itosu’s time might throw punches, wield a stick or a knife. In contrast, modern assailants are not using their “hands and feet”, they may use knives, firearms, and often act in groups. So while Itosu’s insight is timeless, our own understanding must adapt to the reality of today.
The nature of violence has changed.
We’re no longer talking about a single unarmed aggressor, we’re often talking about multiple attackers, surprise ambushes, and high-stakes encounters.
This is why the concept of self-defense must mature into self-protection.
Throwing a good punch is no longer enough. Under certain circumstances, it might not even be relevant. Today, self-protection is a mindset and a strategy, not just a set of physical techniques. It includes situational awareness, verbal de-escalation, understanding how violence really happens, and when necessary, the ability to act decisively under pressure.
Training should prepare us for reality, not just for the dojo. The traditional techniques are still valuable, but they must be adapted, contextualized, and integrated with modern threats.
As martial artists, we honor the wisdom of the past by applying it to the challenges of the present. Martial Arts must evolve with the times.