The Transition to Martial "Arts"

As Professor Takeshi Yoro of Tokyo University has pointed out, “Japanese weapons are peculiar things. Although designed to kill, the functionality of Japanese weapons was hardly enhanced at all over the centuries. Instead, they evolved into works of art.” The classical Japanese sword remained unchanged since the Kamakura period (1185-1333). Firearms, introduced in 1543, did not become more destructive, though they did become increasingly ornate. 

This coincided with a general shift towards conflict resolution without the use of force, destruction or swords. Gradually, as peace descended on Japan after the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, the warrior classes looked to retain their martial skills at a level of readiness even in peacetime, refining them into art forms in the process, and at the same time investigating the more philosophical and spiritual aspects of their disciplines. 

"The original meaning of the Chinese character used to write “bu” (武) was a depiction of men boldly marching (足 or 歩) into battle with halberd (戈) in hand. However, the interpretation of this hieroglyph came to be universally interpreted by Confucian scholars in China after the Sengoku period as meaning “to stop (止) fighting (戈).” The transition from a meaning of violence to one of peace was facilitated by Neo-Confucian scholars during the Tokugawa period (1600-1868), an epoch of social stability."