Kendo originated from Kenjitsu, the actual form of sword fighting used by the samurai until the Meiji Era. Over the years, wooden swords replaced real swords to reduce injury during training. By the latter half of the 18th century, the samurai class started to disappear, and the study of the sword became more of a mental discipline rather than a practical fighting form. It was around this time that modern kendo took form: The use of protective armor and a bamboo sword (the shinai) was introduced to further reduce injury to the participant; standard regulations for matches and practice were also established.