Bugei (Martial Traditions)

Warfare and the profession of arms have been a tradition in Japan long before the dawn of recorded history. Generally, the development of systemized martial traditions (bugei) did not arise until after the end of the Heian period of Japan's history (794-1185). The main purpose of the bugei was to train and prepare the samurai for battlefield combat. This training centered on the study of the bow (yumi), sword (tachi), and spear (yari), epitomized in the expression "Kyûba no michi," or "The Way of the bow and horse."