KODO'S QUESTION. We all think we know what martial arts are... And the first question which generally comes to mind, whether one is an adept or not, is: 'Which is the most effective martial art?'... 'Who's the strongest?' as children would say. Probably because combat is the hinge of all martial arts. By questioning our own received opinions and the meaning of combat today, we will focus in successive stages on what martial arts really are.