Tankendō
Tankendō ( Japanese 短 剣 道 ) is a Japanese martial art in which a short sword or trench knife is fought.
Tankendō is similar to Kendō (sword fighting), but is more based on Jūkendō (bayonet fighting ). A keikogi , a hakama and a bogu are worn. Like the short Shinai (Shōtō) in kendo, the training weapon is made up of four bamboo struts with a leather tip and a leather handle. With a length of 53 cm and a weight of 250 g, however, it is smaller than a Shōtō.
Competitions are held on an area of ten by ten meters. There are thrusts to the stomach and throat. Lashes go to the head and wrist.
The origins of these techniques go back to the time when western weapons were equipped ( Meiji restoration ) and are based on Japanese short sword fencing, French and - to a lesser extent - German bayonet and saber fencing techniques. Tankendō has been operated by the All-Japanese Jūkendō Federation since 1978 .