Jūkendō

{{Short description|Japanese bayonet fighting martial art}}

{{infobox martial art

| image = 銃剣道.JPG

| imagecaption =

| name = Jūkendō (銃剣道)

| focus = Bayonet

| hardness = Competitive

| country = Japan

| creator = No single creator

| parenthood = Historical

| olympic = No

}}

{{Nihongo|Jūkendō|銃剣道}} is the Japanese martial art of bayonet fighting,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}})Mather, J. (1990): "A Sensei's story: Karate's Takayuki Kubota." Black Belt, 28(6):40–44.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.Lowry, D. (2009): The Karate way: Discovering the spirit of practice (p. 76). Boston, MA: Shambhala. ({{ISBN|978-1-5903-0647-5}}) and has been likened to kendo (but with bayonets instead of swords).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}})

According to Tanaka Fumon, jūkendō techniques are based on Japanese sojutsu (spear fighting)Tanaka, F. (2003): Samurai fighting arts: The spirit and the practice (p. 222). Tokyo: Kodansha International. ({{ISBN|978-4-7700-2898-3}}) and 19th century French bayonet fighting techniques.[http://www.fightingarts.com/reading/article_nc.php?id=59#jukendo Fighting Arts: Jukendo] (c. 2008). Retrieved on February 28, 2010. However, according to French jūkendō researcher Baptiste Tavernier, jūkendō techniques are mostly based on the teachings and influence of the French military missions to Japan at the beginning of the Meiji era.{{Citation|last=Seido - Budo Equipment & Practice in Japan|title=[Interview] Baptiste Tavernier - Jukendo, Budo & The Relevance of Martial Arts Today (Part 2/2)|date=2018-03-01|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnZRZxIflYY |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/QnZRZxIflYY |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|accessdate=2018-05-03}}{{cbignore}}

During the Meiji period, Japanese bayonet fighting techniques were consolidated into a system named jūkenjutsu, and taught at the Toyama military academy in Tokyo. Morihei Ueshiba, founder of Aikido, trained in jūkenjutsu and incorporated some of this art's techniques into his own interpretation of the use of the wooden staff or jō.de Jong, H. (c. 2007): [http://www.hansdejong.biz/aikido.htm Aikido] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020175237/http://www.hansdejong.biz/aikido.htm |date=2013-10-20 }} Retrieved on February 28, 2010. Following World War II, the practice of jūkenjutsu was banned by the Allies, but it later returned in the modern form of jūkendō. The Japan Amateur Jūkendō Federation was established in 1952.Wagner, E. A. (1989): Sport in Asia and Africa: A comparative handbook (p. 60). New York: Greenwood. ({{ISBN|978-0-3132-5767-4}}) The All Japan Jūkendō Federation was established in April 1956.[http://www.jukendo.info/renmei13.htm All Japan Jukendo Federation] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721164737/http://www.jukendo.info/renmei13.htm |date=2011-07-21 }} {{in lang|ja}}. Retrieved on February 28, 2010.

In response to a request from the 30,000 member All-Japan Jūkendō Federation in April 2017, the Japanese government added jūkendō to the list of nine approved martial arts for Japanese junior high schools. As of 2017 only one school had taken it up. {{cite web |url=http://www.japan-press.co.jp/modules/news/index.php?id=10464 |title='Bayonet techniques' to be taught to junior high school students |author= |date=April 2, 2017 |publisher=Shimbun Akahata |access-date=August 8, 2018 }} {{cite news |author= |title=Japan's new education guidelines condemned for adding wartime military training item |url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-04/03/c_136180463.htm |work=Xinhua |date=April 3, 2017 |access-date=August 8, 2018 }} {{cite news |last=Sieg |first=Linda |date=April 6, 2017 |title=Japan education reforms stir memories of wartime indoctrination |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-japan-politics-education-idUSKBN17809M |work=Reuters |access-date=August 8, 2018 }} {{cite news |last=Ryall |first=Julian |date=April 24, 2017 |title=Japanese children can now learn 'jukendo' bayonet style fighting at school |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/2090077/japanese-children-can-now-learn-jukendo-bayonet-style-fighting |work=South China Morning Post |access-date=August 8, 2018 }} {{cite news |last=Aoki |first=Mizuho |date=April 24, 2017 |title=Prewar bayonetting martial art makes return to schools |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/04/24/reference/prewar-bayonetting-martial-art-makes-return-schools/#.W2qygC2B2i4 |work=Japan Times |access-date=August 8, 2018 }} {{cite news |author= |title=World War II practice bayonets discovered, evoking memories of Japan's wartime student military training |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/06/26/national/world-war-ii-practice-bayonettes-discovered-evoking-memories-japans-wartime-student-military-training/#.W2rRiC2B2i4 |work=Japan Times |date=June 26, 2017 |access-date=August 8, 2018 }}

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