In China, there are many books referring to the bow such as The Rites of Zhou and The Book of the Later Han. However the most significant work to influence the use of the bow in ceremonies was introduced in the "Liji" (Record of Etiquette). Diplomatic relations between China and Japan started around the 4th and 5th century after Emperor Ohjin's reign. The Chinese influence on Japan expanded into many areas. The original Japanese thought of itoku (dignity and virtue), met with the Chinese thought of rei (courtesy) lead to form the Sharei (shooting ceremony) in the imperial court and in the later years, it became the thought of courtesy in the samurai ways of the bow. In China, bows were seen as the most dignified weapon - a weapon for kings and lords. This thought eventually was integrated into the Japanese Samurai.
The Fuse-takeyumi (Lowered Bamboo Bow) made in mid-Heian Era (10th century) and Sanmaiuchi-yumi (Bow made from three pieces) made in the late-Heian Era (12th century) are composite bows made from bamboo and wood. The technique was brought into Japan from China.

When Yoritomo no Minamoto founded the Kamakura Shogunate in 1192, he established the Samurai Ethic, stating that a samurai must devote himself to reaching a spiritual height by mastering the art of horseback archery. This was taken from Azuma Kagami (Mirror of the East), a history book written in the Kamakura Period, that various forms of horseback archery such as Inuoumono (dog hunting) and Kasagake (hat shooting) were well-practiced to train the body and mind of the samurai during this age.
At Tsurugaoka-Hachimangu Shrine, Yabusame (horseback archery) is performed as a part of the Hojoe ritual up to this day. Makigari hunting became extremely popular during the Kamakura era, and bows that held more of a ritual meaning in the Heian Era regained their role in warfare. However; Inuoumono and Kusajishi (grass deer target archery) with their strict rules developed as sporting events.

Archery took innovative strides during the decades of conflict that started from the Period of North and South Dynasties up to the Muromachi Period.
During Emperor Godaigo's reign, Sadamune and Tsuneoki Ogasawara compiled the way of the bow that were handed down and practiced within the Samurai community and established the foundation of the school for Japanese horseback archery. Later on, the Ogasawara family was engaged as the grand master of horseback archery up until the Edo Period. How archery was practiced in those days is described thoroughly in the Ryoshun Ozoushi written by Ryoshun Imagawa. Danjoh Masatsugu Heki, the founder of the Heki School is also from this period. The Heki School spread as archery become most fit for actual combat. Masatsugu's style was passed on to his disciple, Shigekata Yoshida, and then split to two schools, Sekka and Izumo. From the Sekka School, Dosetsu, and from the Izumo School, Insai and Okura. Because of these gifted predecessors, the art of archery advanced rapidly.

Years later a lateral branch, the Chikurin School, originated by Josei Chikurinbo was established and commonly practiced in the Owari and Kishu areas. Many schools deriving from others were also established during the 150 years between the 15th and 17th century (the end of Muromachi Period and the beginning of Edo Period).
Major schools such as the Yamato School by Kozan Moriyama in the Genroku Period and the Honda School by Toshiazane Honda in the Meiji Era were founded thereafter.
The innovation in the art of Japanese archery is described in Takatada Kikigaki written by warlord, Takatada Taga. In his book, there is mentioning of the pros and cons of yugaeri (turning of the yumi), a technique enabled by the curved bow.