Enduring Fault Lines in the Martial Arts

The problems facing martial artists today feel uniquely modern—commercialised dojos, flashy but ineffective techniques, inflated ranks, and instructors more interested in profit than principle. Social media debates rage over what works, what doesn’t, and who’s legitimate. But what if these frustrations aren’t signs of decline at all? What if they’re simply the latest chapter in a much older story?

In this feature for Inside Ninjutsu, we dig into classical Japanese martial texts to uncover a surprising truth: the great warriors of the past were wrestling with the very same issues centuries ago. From Miyamoto Musashi’s sharp critique of commercialised sword schools to 18th-century warnings about rank, solo training, and empty showmanship, this article reveals how little has really changed—and what modern practitioners can still learn from voices echoing across 400 years of martial history.