It is a difficult task indeed to define the exact origins of Kendo as Kendo was not created or developed by a single person or even a group of people at any particular period in time. What can be said of Kendo’s history is this: Around 200 B.C.E the sword amongst other things was introduced to the islands of Japan by various emigrating Chinese and Korean ethnic groups that intermingled with the native Jomon population. By 700 C.E, the art of sword-smithing had taken root in Japanese culture and thus began being domestically produced. After the 9th century, as the bushi / samurai class was established, the progenator of the Nihonto was developed. This sword differed from its Chinese predecessor in that it had a curved blade rather than a rigid straight one. As Japan entered into the 14th century it was engulfed in civil war. The Nihonto soon became the weapons of choice among the warrior class replacing older sword styles and the Japanese Long Bow (Yuri). During these years of perpetual war, Japan saw the rise of many different schools of kenjutsu. These schools were each created by various master swordsmen, and each school had its own style unique to the originator. As the civil war drew to a close and more peaceful times prevailed, more emphasis was placed on the spiritual aspects of kenjutsu training. These moral and social aspects stemmed from Zen Buddhism, bushido, and Confucianism. During the mid-18th century before the Meji restoration period, protective equipment was developed and popularised within kenjutsu circles.