Evolution of the arts
There are many accounts of how Japanese martial arts evolved into the forms that we recognize today. Japanese interest in Chinese culture began during the Tang dynasty (618-907 CE) and cross-fertilization of ideas between the two countries was widespread during this period, especially concerning architecture and design, religion, and martial arts.
The flowering of Buddhism in Japan had a profound effect on Japanese martial arts, especially during the Nara period (710-784 CE), which represents one of the most active periods of cultural imports into Japan. Many Japanese traveled to China to study Buddhism, some of whom may have brought back kung-fu methods to Japan and Okinawa. Japan also has a long history of Buddhist pilgrims from the Korean peninsula, and they are also likely to have had some influence on Japan's cultural evolution.
During the era of the samurai, Japanese swordmiths were responsible for producing what are widely regarded as the finest swords ever made. These highly skilled craftsmen employed a number of complex methods to forge lightweight, exceptionally hard, razor-sharp blades-weapons that helped elevate the samurai to legendary status. Parts of the sword would be embellished with elaborate engraving and inlay work. The scabbard was often made of lacquered wood decorated with designs taken from mythology or nature.
Changing times
The Edo period (1603-1867) was another crucial time in the development of Japanese martial arts, particularly the sword arts. Prior to this period, when warriors fought multiple opponents on the battlefield, sword techniques naturally favored the use of different angles of attack, various blocking and deflecting techniques, and cuts aimed at the quick kill with the minimum expenditure of energy. However, because the Edo period was largely a peaceful time in Japanese history, dueling between individuals became more common than armed conflict between groups of militia. In swordsmanship, this led to the concept of "one cut, one kill"-whereby two warriors engaged in a duel would intend for the first cut to make the kill. This changed the training focus and techniques used in Japanese martial arts entirely.
Modern developments
The most recent development in Japanese martial history was the ban on the wearing of a sword in public, imposed by the government in 1876, which fueled the growth of unarmed combat, introduction of this law effectively saw an end the domination of the samurai, and encouraged an interest among the civilian population in the "empty-hand" methods of Japanese martial arts. It was a very important time in the evolution of many systems.
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