Joao Rodriguez, who visited Japan in the Azuchi-Momoyama period, wrote in his 'Church history in Japan' that the 'abilities' (practical skills) persons in the ruling class should have were 'the art of Japanese archery, kemari (a game played by aristocrats in the Heian period) and the use of kitchen knives.'
また、安土桃山時代に来日したジョアン・ロドリゲスは著書『日本教会史』の中で支配階層が身に付けるべき「能」（実践的な教養）であったものとして、「弓術・蹴鞠・庖丁」を挙げている。