The Origins of Martial Arts

My instructor recently requested an essay from me on the origins of martial arts. This is what I gave him:
The origins of martial arts are complex and subjective, as the term is actually a relatively modern phrase used to refer to any number of warrior disciplines. Even when referring to that particular Asian blend of martial techniques and Zen Buddhist, Taoist, or even Confucian ideals, one can quickly be mislead.
In Japan, for example, the concept of budo, (The Philosophical “Way” of the Warrior) is a fairly recent philosophical development when compared with bujitsu (The Method of War). Though some consider the delineation between the two a false construct, it was Japan's transition from a feudal to an industrial society that first gave rise to widespread use of the - do suffix in order to reflect a more philosophical approach to training. And yet there exist numerous schools of koryu, (styles that existed prior to the Meiji Restoration of the 1800’s), that seemingly span this divide. The earliest written records of Japan, for instance, which are dated from the eighth century CE, record the first Sumo match in 23 BCE, occurring specifically at the request of the emperor and continuing until one man was too wounded to continue. Can such a practice be classified as a martial art, or is that a unique phenomenon of a later time?
Tracing back Chinese martial arts leads one down quite a different path, as the discovery of arms caches in the monasteries of Chang'an during government raids in 446 AD suggests that Chinese monks practiced martial arts prior to the establishment of the famous Shaolin Monastery in 497 CE. Shaolin monks have historically practiced their arts for both the practical purpose of defending their temple from raiders and bandits, and for the more inwardly focused aim of self-mastery. Yet according to legend, the reign of the Yellow Emporer beginning in 2698 BCE first introduced the practice of martial arts to China. The practice of Jiao Di arose during this time, a combat wrestling system including techniques such as strikes, throws, joint manipulation, and pressure point attacks. Though again, evidence for a significant emphasis on corresponding mental discipline is lacking
Korean martial arts history is perhaps even more difficult and confusing to trace, largely due to the Japanese occupation of the country during the early 1900’s. Many of Korea’s existing martial arts are perhaps more accurately re-envisioned martial arts, pieced together from existing elements of Japanese and Chinese martial arts, as well as from what Korean records remain from before the Japanese occupation. A great animosity exists even today between the two countries, and Japanese stylists often see this as a reason to discount Korean martial arts as fraudulent and unworthy of respect. Nationalism is a strong force in Korea, however, and the Korean people have a great deal of pride for their martial arts, historically accurate or not. Much of what does remain of Korea’s martial history lies within the pages of the Muyedobotongji, a document commissioned by the King JeongJo in 1790 for the express purpose of recording all of Korea’s martial heritage. This book, written by Lee Deok Moo and Park Je Ga, describes in detail Korea's martial arts, along with extensive illustrations. It includes an unarmed combat style of kicking and punching, not unlike modern Taekwondo, as well as sword techniques similar to those of Gicheon and Haedong Kumdo. It is likely that what does exist of Korean martial arts history is actually quite old, as during the Joseon period (1392-1910), traditional Korean martial arts were not popular because neo-Confucian doctrine advocated academics rather than martial practice. The tombs of some Goguryeo kings bear paintings showing martial arts, likely Subak or Taekkyon, and dating sometime between 3 and 427 CE.
It is my opinion that a martial art must by definition include both physical and mental discipline. This mental discipline must extend beyond strategy and even the practice of the physical techniques themselves if it is to have any relevance. Modern military soldiers, for example, are not in my view martial artists. This definition then places the origin of martial arts in China in the first millennium CE. Scholarly investigations have revealed evidence of the practice of martial techniques in the area of Mesopotamia, before any major civilization had appeared in China or the Far East. However, I draw a distinction between martial techniques and martial arts. Regardless of their origins, it is the value that martial arts hold for modern practitioners that is important. We must learn from the past, but if we cannot live in the present, then the arts have taught us nothing.

Sources: Wikipedia
Some Random Article I Found on Google
The Muyedobotongji
Myself

Blue Mountain Martial Arts