全日本銃剣道連盟

What

What is Jukendo?

Jukendo means the “Way of the Bayonet” and it is a modern budo that can be traced back to the traditional Japanese schools of sōjutsu (spearmanship).

Jukendo is in many respects similar to kendo, Japanese fencing:
– practitioners wear an indigo jacket and large, pleated trousers called hakama
– practitioners also wear armour when engaging in matches
– practitioners study kata (pre-arranged forms) and engage in shiai (competitive matches)
– through abiding to Japanese etiquette and committing to austere training, practitioners pursue character-building

The armour looks similar to that which is used in kendo. However, each separate part has its own distinctive features that are required to practise safely.

– the men (helmet) has a wider throat protection pad
– the kote (glove) also features some extra-padding around the thumb area
– the (chest and abdomen protector) features an extra piece of leather designed to prevent the bayonet sliding up under the arm pit.
– the tare (hip protector) has a loop of leather used to attach kata, a special piece of equipment to protect the shoulder and heart.
– the urabuton is a padded rectangle of thick cotton which is slung under the left armpit to cover the left side of the torso.

The weapon in jukendo is called a mokujū (a mock rifle with an affixed bayonet made of wood). An “ippon”(valid point), is achieved by thrusting with a strong spirit and a powerful forward leap (ki-ken-tai-itchi), followed by a sharp withdrawal of the bayonet and a period of vigilance called zanshin. The targets in jukendo are the chest, throat, left shoulder, and left forearm.

The All Japan Jukendo Federation (AJJF) was formed in April 1956.

What is Tankendo?

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