History of the Martial Arts Articles

The term martial arts refers to the art of warfare and the word martial comes from Mars, the god of war. One who practices martial arts is referred to as a martial artist. The early history of martial arts is difficult to reconstruct and the earliest evidence for the specifics of martial arts as practiced in the past comes from depictions of fights, both in art and in early literature. Also, analysis of archaeological evidence, especially of weaponry has helped the study of the history of martial arts.

By Master Jun Lee - Tae Kwon Do is a two thousand year old martial art form that originated in Korea. It is based on the premise that every person has the instinct to defend himself or herself against a sudden attack. As a result of this basic instinct, the origins of Tae Kwon Do date back to the earliest days of humanity on earth.
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By Phillip Allen Humphries - Considerable mystery surrounds the origins and lineages of the world’s martial disciplines. Some systems, most often those of classical origin, are bonded with religious doctrines; others are secular and utilitarian, street and military applicability their keynote themes. Amongst the general public, an air of mystique oftentimes surrounds the realm of martial art. (Read Article)

by Gene Ching and Gigi Oh - Two locations figure prominently in the history of American martial arts. The first is Hawaii. Hawaii has the largest population of Asian Americans of any state in the union. Consequently, Asian immigrants have been bringing martial arts there for decades. Even today, it's common to see masters donning aloha shirts in honor this island heritage. The other place is San Francisco Bay. Another bastion of Asian immigrants, the Bay Area enjoys the highest density of martial arts schools of anywhere in the nation. It is a prime location for Tiger Claw and KungFuMagazine.com.
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By Scot Combs - For the purposes of this essay the term 'traditional' will refer to the martial arts systems brought from Japan, Okinawa and later, China to the US after World War II.  The term 'classical' will refer to those systems in their complete (historical, original) form passed from family member to family member and master to student. (Read Article)

by Robert A. Trias - One of the brightest stars in the firmament of Oriental thought and culture was the Indian Buddhist monk Bodhidharma. Twenty-eighth in a direct succession from Gautama, he was known by several names, such as the White Buddha; to the Chinese as Ta-Mo; to the Japanese as Taishi Daruma; and to centuries of Zen literature as the first Patriarch. In 500 A.D. Ta-Mo journeyed to the temple of Shorin-ji (Shaolin) situated in Sung Shang, in the province of Honan, where he found the monks physically and mentally unable to endure the discipline required by his teachings.
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Information from Nikolay Travkin, President of American Academy for Russian Martial Art and Combat Skill (AARMACS, Inc) - Russian Martial Art has a martial evolution which can be divided into four periods of influence.  The first period of influence can be considered the period of tribal combat.  Predating the advent of recorded history combative sport and dance were constantly being held, particularly during holidays and celebrations.  The forefather of Russian Martial Art, these skills were passed on from father to son, and comprised tribal rites of passage, from childhood to adulthood.  (Read Article)  

By In Sun Seo - The majority of today's Korean martial artists believe that the origin of martial arts came only from China. In particular, it is thought by many that the Great Teacher Dahrma, who is known as the founder of the Shaolin Temple, is (also) the father of every kind of martial art. However, this is untrue.  This kind of thinking is a mistaken notion, steeped in toadyism. Martial arts are not something that were founded by any particular individual or group. That is to say, martial arts are not something that could be founded in any certain nation.
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In 1500's the Portuguese, led by explorer Pedro Alvares Cabral, arrived in Brazil. One of the first measures taken by the new arrivals was the subjugation of the local population, the Brazilian Indians, in order to furnish the Portuguese with slave labor (for sugarcane and cotton). The experience with the aborigines was a failure. The Indians quickly died in captivity or fled to their nearby homes. The Portuguese then began to import slave labor from Africa. On the other side of the Atlantic, free men and women were captured, loaded onto ghastly slave ships and sent on nightmarish voyages that for most would end in perpetual bondage.
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