| About Tankendo

Tankendō, or the “Way of the Short Sword,” is a modern Japanese martial art that developed as a counterpart to jukendo, focusing on close-quarters combat with a short blade. Rooted in traditional Japanese tanken (dagger) techniques and influenced by military training methods, tankendō has evolved into a formal budo discipline practiced under the guidance of the All Japan Jukendo Federation (AJJF).

Practitioners wear the same indigo jackets and pleated hakama trousers as in jukendo, with protective armor adapted for short-sword combat. Training consists of kata (formalized patterns of attack and defense) and shiai (competitive matches), emphasizing not only technical precision but also the cultivation of mental focus, composure, and the values of Japanese martial tradition.

| Protective Equipment

The armor used in tankendō is largely the same as jukendo’s, with slight adjustments to accommodate the short-sword techniques:

  • Men (helmet): Protects the head and throat from thrusts and strikes.
  • Kote (gloves): Designed for maneuverability while ensuring the hands remain protected.
  • Dō (torso protector): Shields the chest and abdomen against thrusts.
  • Tare (waist protector): Provides lower body protection and stability during sparring.

| Weapon and Technique

The training weapon in tankendō is the tankenshiki-bokutō, a short wooden sword modeled after the tanto. In practice and competition, points (ippon) are scored by delivering accurate strikes or thrusts to authorized target areas—the chest, throat, wrist, and side of the torso. Each technique must demonstrate ki-ken-tai-itchi (the unity of spirit, weapon, and body), followed by zanshin, the continued state of awareness and readiness.

| Organization and Legacy

Together with jukendo, tankendō is overseen by the All Japan Jukendo Federation (AJJF), which has fostered its development as both a martial art and a vehicle for discipline and character-building. Today, tankendō is practiced across Japan and internationally, often alongside jukendo, providing a complementary study of long- and short-range martial techniques within the budo tradition.