Japanese Archery (Kyudo) About Japanese Archery The bow and arrow began to be used more than 10,000 years ago for hunting and in war. In the Nara (710-794) and Heian (794-1185) periods they were utilized in rituals dedicated to the gods; it was around this time that archery made its appearance in events held at the Imperial court. In 1543 firearms were introduced to Japan by a shipwrecked Portug..