Word BUGEI means "art of war", or "military art",

According to Augusto Yamazato (Illustrated History of Japan, Press 5 Colors, 1967), the military arts originated from the Heian period (794 D.C. to 1192 D.C.), with the formation of the warrior class (samurai).  As government's central leaders carried out an unsteady life, the regional officers also tried to imitate them, which resulted that the provincial administrations started to shift little by little into complete disorder and anarchy. Seizing the present situation, pirates and bandits groups attacked and plundered the villages and cities (931 D.C.)."

"To defend themselves from the burglars, each farm had to form a group of fighters selected from the young people among families who resided in those farms. Such young persons, who were trained in the military art, gave origin to the warriors' class: the "samurai". 

"Later they organized into groups, which were managed by descendants of noble families, or regional officers. Among them, there were two sides: The one Heishi, who were descendants of emperor Kanmu and the others Genji, descendants of emperor lineage Seiwa. Both families became rivals, searching both to expand their political and military power in Kyoto's Capital (old Heian-kyo)". Unfortunately there is not much left from the Heian culture, due to the constant wars almost anything has disappeared completely. The writings, the works of art, records - almost everything has vanished. 

In 1051, samurai power started to rose more and more. In 1185, Genji gained supremacy over Heishi and finished establishing a military government.  

It was during the age Tokugawa (also known as Period Edo - 1603 D.C. to 1868 D.C.) when the military culture reached to its historical and technical apogee. The population was divided into 4 social classes: Samurais, peasants, artisans and merchants. Samurais were the dominant class. They owned the absolute power over the people and the earth beneath them, right to own a sword and the last name as their symbol. They also had the right to punish the people from the lower class, however they had to have responsibility of these acts. During these years developed also a moral code, which formed the proper behavior of samurais called "Bushido"  

Almost nine centuries of the military power in Japan show that the nation was impregnated by the ethical ideals of these warriors. These elements, that impelled bushi to act during Japanese history, were strongly surrounded by an unshaken belief of the divine origin of Japan. The behavior code demanded an unquestionable obedience to immediate superior, who believed to have link with the divine past.

Bugei was taught at military schools (bujutsu ryu), spread by the whole Japan, so that it is impossible to know the exact number of these schools - since the quantity varies of a period to another. According to R. P. Dore, in 1843, about 159 biggest schools were listed in the "Bujutsu Ryuso-roku", but the list does not include smaller schools and/or clandestine.  

Every style or Bugei's Lineage is denominated "Ryu". European Bugei Society preserves in Europe the tradition of the "Kaze no Ryu Bugei" - wind style.