Martial arts manuals are instructions, with or without illustrations, specifically designed to be learnt from a book. Many books detailing specific techniques of martial arts are often erroneously called manuals but were written as treatises.
Example of an illustration of half-sword, c. 1418: Islan the monk executes a half-sword thrust against Volker the minstrel (CPG 359, fol. 46v).
fol. 2r of the Cod. 44 A 8, depicting two fencers in the vom tag and alber wards.
Illustration of a half-sword thrust against a mordhau in armoured longsword combat. (Plate 214) Codex Wallerstein.
Unarmed fighting from the Jixiao Xinshu (1560s)
Martial arts are codified systems and traditions of combat practiced for a number of reasons such as self-defence; military and law enforcement applications; competition; physical, mental, and spiritual development; entertainment; and the preservation of a nation's intangible cultural heritage.
United States Marine practicing martial arts, 2008
Strikes: punching and kicking techniques displayed at the Banteay Srei (967 A.D.) in Cambodia.
Grappling: bas-relief of grappling techniques at Prambanan (9th century) in Indonesia.
Detail of the wrestling fresco in tomb 15 at Beni Hasan
