Kenjutsu Kyohan part 2 – jukenjutsu

EDITORS NOTE: This is the second in a series of three that translates a Kendo Kyohan published in 1909. Please see the first installment for more information.
Please note that the image in the title is from a different Kendo Kyohan version (one published in 1934).

JŪKENJUTSU(47)
Basic Maneuvers

Thrusting

Fifty-sixth Part
The stabbing maneuvers of juukenjutsu are described below. (See Diagram 13)
Dō(48) / Tsuki (same as prescribed in the basic movements section)

Attention

Fifty-seventh Part
The stance of attention is described in your drill manual. (See Diagram 14)

Fifty-eighth Part
Moving from attention in to the basic stance (See Diagram 15)
Command: kamae-tsutsu(49)

Keep your head facing front. Your left leg should lead and point forward with the right leg behind, forming a rectangle. The right hand should grasp the back of the mokujū and hold the stock, and the left hand should hold the mokujū roughly at the waist line. The right hand should be lower than the left, creating an angled guard.

Put your left foot forward roughly one step, and distribute your body weight evenly between both feet. Bend both knees, and at the same time keep your gun in front of you. Keep the body of your rifle pointed up and turned slightly to the left, with your right hand on the stock your left elbow slightly bent. Point the tip of your rifle approximately at the eyes of your opponent, and keep your body straight. Stay relaxed and focus on the eyes of your opponent.

Fifty-ninth Part
Returning to attention from stance
Command: Tatte tsutsu(50)

Grip the gun in your right hand above the sights, turn to face forward, bring your right heel up to your left heel and assume the position of attention.

Advancing and Retreating

Sixtieth Part
The rules for advancing and retreating are the same as in saber combat.

Crossing the Bayonets

Sixty-first Part
The intersection of the swords should usually be about the length of one grip from the tip and on the right side of the rifle. (See Diagram 16)

Thrusting

Sixty-second Part
To thrust correctly, from a proper stance rapidly advance one step and at the same time using both hands stab forward quickly.

After thrusting, return directly to your basic stance.

Sixty-third Part
Direct Thrusting
Command: Tsuki

Aim for the area above and to the right of your opponent’s left fist.
When engaging the opponent on the opposite side of the mokujū aim for the area above and to the left of his fist.

Sixty-fourth Part
Striking around the opponent (See Diagram 18)
Command: datsu-tsuki(51)

Use both hands to lower your mokujū, and when you pass near the enemy’s rifle thrust for the area above and to the left of his left fist.

When engaged from the opposite side, aim up and to the right.

Sixty-fifth Part
Lower thrusts (See diagram 19)
Command: Shita wo tsuki(52)

With both hands drop your mokujū low and thrust at the area below his left fist.

Blocking and Counter-thrusting

Sixty-sixth Part
To block, from the basic stance use your bayonet to quickly bat aside attacks from the opponent.

Sixty-seventh Part
To perform a counter-thrust, parry your opponent’s thrust and immediately take advantage of the opening in their guard to respond with your own thrust.

Sixty-eighth Part
Defending and counter-thrusting on the right side (See Diagram 20)
Command: Migi wo fusege(53)

When you receive a thrust at the area above and to the right of your left fist, use both hands to bring your bayonet forward and to the right, and then block the attack with a sweep to the lower diagonal

To counterattack, quickly thrust at the target area of the enemy.

Sixty-ninth Part
Defending and counter-thrusting on the left side(See Diagram 21)
Command: Hidari wo fusege(54)

When you receive a thrust to the are above and to the left of your left fist, use both hands to bring your bayonet forward and to the left, and then block the attack with a sweep to the lower diagonal.

To counterattack, quickly thrust at the target area of the enemy.

Seventieth Part
Defending and counter-thrusting against low attacks (See Diagram 22)
When you receive a thrust to the area beneath your left wrist, take both hands and bring your bayonet forward, raising your right hand to approximately the level of your pectorals, carefully turn the barrel of the gun mostly to the right, and sweep away the attack down and to the right.

To counterattack, quickly thrust at the target of the enemy.

Seventy-first Part
During a jūkenjutsu practice, follow all regulations laid out earlier in the text.

(End of the main text of the Kenjutsu Kyōhan. The appendix on Joba-guntojutsu (mounted swordsmanship) will appear in the next installment)

47. Bayonet Combat.
48. Though the term here is identical to the one used in the saber section, the target is very different, being a small pad that covers the side of the torso which faces the opponent. This pad appears to be worn over the standard kendō armor. See illustrations for details.
49. “Ready the gun.”
50. “Raise the gun.”
51. Literally, “Dodging strike.”
52. “Thrust low.”
53. “Defend your right.”
54. “Defend your left.”

近代デジダルライブラリー
Please note that the original Japanese text and pictures are in the public domain.