Japanese children can now learn ‘jukendo’ bayonet style fighting at school

Students at Japan’s junior high schools will be taking up bayonet practice after the education ministry approved the introduction of “jukendo” in physical exercise classes.

The mock combat sport uses wooden representations of a rifle with a bayonet attached and has its roots in military drills introduced from France in the mid-1800s. Those exercises were combined with traditional Japanese spear fighting moves and taught to soldiers before and during the war.

As the war progressed and an invasion of Japan’s home islands appeared imminent, children were also instructed in how to take on their enemies with whatever weapons were to hand, including bamboo spears.

Under the ministry’s original revisions to guidelines on the appropriate martial arts for junior high schools, issued in February, there was no mention of “jukendo”. That changed after the 30,000-strong All Japan Jukendo Federation submitted a formal request that the discipline be added to the list of approved sports.

Watch: Jukendo, the art of bayonet fighting

“Jukendo” appeared on the list for the start of the new school year, in April, although only one school has so far adopted the sport. Combatants wear a face mask and protective clothing that covers their upper body from injury caused by the 166-cm weapon of their opponent.