1. "Gambate" is a romanization of the Japanese word meaning "persevere."
In judo and kendo classes, instructors often use the word as an
encouragement.

2. Although "martial" has been used in English for centuries, the phrase
"martial arts" only got its modern connotation during the early twentieth
century. Essentially, it is a literal translation of the Japanese word
"budo" (and also the Chinese "wushu"). "Fighting arts" was the original
translation. The example Oxford English Dictionary uses is,
unsurprisingly, E.J. Harrison's 1913 book, "Fighting Arts of Japan." I
mention this because, if you are studying something that calls itself a
Celtic martial art, in so many words, without any equivocation, then
there is a good chance that you're studying something that was invented
during the past decade.

3. As for oldest existing lineages? My guess is wrestling styles, such as
Scottish backhold and Ar Gouren (Breton). Those are at least 800 years
old, and almost certainly much older than that.

Joe
http://ejmas.com
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