Jūkendō

Jūkendō (銃剣道)

Japanese Type 30 bayonet (1894–1945)
Focus	Weaponry (Bayonet)
Hardness	Competitive
Country of origin	Japan
Creator	No single creator
Parenthood	Historical
Olympic sport	No

Jūkendō (銃剣道^?) is the Japanese martial art of bayonet fighting,^[1][2][3][4] and has been likened to kendo (but with bayonets instead of swords).^[5] Jukendo techniques are based on sojutsu (spear fighting)^[6] or bayonet techniques from the 17th century, when firearms were introduced to Japan.^[7]

During the Meiji period, Japanese bayonet fighting techniques were consolidated into a system named jukenjitsu,^[7] and taught at the Toyama military academy in Tokyo.^[7] Morihei Ueshiba, founder of aikido, trained in jukenjitsu and incorporated some of that art into his own art.^[8] Following World War II, the practice of jukenjitsu was banned by the Allies, but it later returned in the modern form of jukendo.^[7] The Japan Amateur Jukendo Federation was established in 1952.^[9] The All Japan Jukendo Federation was established in April 1956.^[10]

Modern jūkendō uses a mokujū, a wooden replica of a rifle with an attached and blunted bayonet at the end, in place of an actual rifle.^[5] The art is practised by both Japanese military personnel and civilians.^[7] Training incorporates kata (patterns), two-person drills, and competitive matches using mokujū and protective armor.^[7] The three main target areas are the heart, throat, and lower left side of the opponent.^[7]

See also

• Jōdō
• Kenshiro Abbe

References

1. ^ Stevens, J. (1985): "The Founder, Ueshiba Morihei." In R. Strozzi-Heckler (Ed.): Aikido and the new warrior (pp. 5–22). Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic. (ISBN 978-0-9381-9051-6)
2. ^ Mather, J. (1990): "A Sensei's story: Karate's Takayuki Kubota." Black Belt, 28(6):40–44.
3. ^ Steele, D. E. (1991): "Training to fight Saddam's army: US troops prepared for hand-to-hand combat against Iraqis." Black Belt, 29(5):33–36.
4. ^ Lowry, D. (2009): The Karate way: Discovering the spirit of practice (p. 76). Boston, MA: Shambhala. (ISBN 978-1-5903-0647-5)
5. ^ ^{a b} Clayton, B. D., Horwitz, R., & Pollard, E. (2004): Shotokan's secret: The hidden truth behind Karate's fighting origins (p. 148). Black Belt Books. (ISBN 978-0-8975-0144-6)
6. ^ Tanaka, F. (2003): Samurai fighting arts: The spirit and the practice (p. 222). Tokyo: Kodansha International. (ISBN 978-4-7700-2898-3)
7. ^ ^{a b c d e f g} Fighting Arts: Jukendo (c. 2008). Retrieved on February 28, 2010.
8. ^ de Jong, H. (c. 2007): Aikido Retrieved on February 28, 2010.
9. ^ Wagner, E. A. (1989): Sport in Asia and Africa: A comparative handbook (p. 60). New York: Greenwood. (ISBN 978-0-3132-5767-4)
10. ^ All Japan Jukendo Federation (Japanese). Retrieved on February 28, 2010.

External links

• All Japan Jukendo Federation (Japanese)