Tankendo/Jukendo
By Kuseru
Entrance Requirements: No Alignment or Attribute restrictions.
Skill Cost: 8 Years (6 Years as a Secondary Martial Art Style).

Tankendo (Way of the Short Sword) and Jukendo (Way of the Bayonet) are Japanese martial arts created during the Meiji Era and further refined during the Taisho Era. Jukendo was originally based on French (and to a lesser degree, German) bayonet combat, but when this proved unsatisfactory to Japanese soldiers, from their experiences in the Chinese-Japanese War (1894-1895), Manchurian Conflict (1931) and Korean Annexation (1910), Ito Ryu and Hozoin Ryu spear techniques were introduced. Tankendo grew out of Japan's exerpience in the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905) and World War I (1914-1918), when Japanese soldiers occassionally needed to use a bayonet dismounted. Like Jukendo, Tankendo also incorporated Japanese Kodachi (short sword) martial art techniques, particularly Toda Ryu, which make it quite suitable for use by men or women. Two organizations were responsible for codifying the techniques used in Jukendo and Tankendo, the Hei Gakko (Officer Acadamy) and Rikugun Toyama Gakko (Toyama Army Academy) of the Imperial Japanese Army. They combined the training for Juken and Tanken (then called Jukenjutsu and Tankenjutsu) with gunto soho (Toyama Ryu Battojutsu military sword methodology). After World War II, these arts were reintroduced in the -do form, as healthy exercises promoting physical, mental, and spiritual health. Currently Jukendo and Tankendo are official sports of the JGSDF (Japanese Ground Self Defence Force) as well as individual enthusiasts.

Tankendo and Jukendo both instruct in dai-ni kyoshu (attack training, similar to kendo kakari geiko), dai-san kyoshu (freestyle traiing, similar to kendo ji geiko), kata, kihon (basic techniques), kiso (fundamentals), oyo waza (applied techniques), and shiai. This instruction covers training in blocks, movement, stances, strikes, and techniques for both mounted bayonet and short sword/dismounted bayonet. Aggressive training is performed with pratice weapons and full or partial kendo bogu (armor).

Jukendo/Tankendo equipment includes the Mokuju (wooden practice rifle) and the Tanken Shinai (bamboo short sword). Jukendo and Tankendo Bogu typically consists of Do (chest protector), Kata (shoulder pad), Kote (gloves), Men (mask), and Mune Futon (chest padding). At the very least, the Mune Futon and Do are worn, though Kote, Kata, and Men are worn for full contact sparring practice.

Costume: In addition to the armor described above, both Jukendo and Tankendo wear similar outfits. For training, white practice clothing reminiscent of the old Imperial Japanese Army uniforms is worn. Otherwise, practitioners wear white or dark blue hakama with a white jacket or a white and blue vertically striped jacket are worn. Also worn are white zubon (trousers) with a white jacket.
Stance: Ironically enough, the ready stance is the same as the military's "attention" stance, with the rifle held in the right hand. Standing, bringing the heels together on the same line with the feet turned out equally forming a 45 degree angle with the body weight resting equally on the heels and balls of the feet; keeping the legs straight without stiffening or locking the knees; holding the body erect with the hips level, stomach in, chest lifted and arched, and the shoulders square and even; letting the arms hang straight without stiffness along the sides with the backs of the hands outward; curling the fingers so that the tips of the thumbs are alongside and touching the first joint of the forefingers; keeping the thumbs straight along the seams of the trousers with all fingers touching the legs; keeping the head erect and squarely to the front with the chin drawn so that the axis of the head and neck is vertical; and looking straight to the front. Rifle is held in right hand, near the upper third of the rifle, butt of the rifle rests one half inch from the right front side of the right foot.
CHARACTER BONUSES
Add +1 to P.E.
Add +5 to S.D.C.
COMBAT SKILLS
Attacks per Melee: 3
Escape Moves: Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact.
Attack Moves: None.
Basic Defense Moves: Automatic Parry, Dodge, Parry.
Advanced Defense Moves: Circular Parry, Combination Parry/Attack, Disarm.
Hand Attacks: Punch (Human Fist).
Basic Foot Attacks: Snap Kick, Tripping/Leg Hook.
Jumping Foot Attacks: None.
Special Attacks: Butt Stroke (New! This is a special attack where the victim is smacked with the butt of a rifle. A successful attack does 1D8 damage.), Combination Grab/Slash, Death Strike (New!), Elbow.
Holds/Locks: None.
Weapon Kata (Pick Two): W.P. Juken (spear), W.P. Mokuju (polearm), W.P. Tanken (short sword), W.P. Tanken Shinai (blunt).
Modifiers to Attacks: Critical Strike, Critical Strike from Behind, Knockout/Stun, Knockout from Behind, Pull Punch.
SKILLS INCLUDED IN TRAINING
Martial Art Powers: Select a total of ONE (1) Martial Art Power from among Body Hardening Exercises, Martial Art Techniques, and Special Kata. If desired, any number of Martial Art Powers can be traded, on a one-for-one basis, for Basic Skill Programs (excluding Physical).
Languages: Japanese
Weapon Proficiencies: W.P. Juken (spear), W.P. Mokuju (polearm), W.P. Tanken (short sword), W.P. Tanken Shinai (blunt).
Philosophical Training: Zen
If this is your Primary Martial Art then the following other styles can be learned in a shorter time: Kendo (3 Years), Shinkendo (5 Years), Toyama Ryu (4 Years).
LEVEL ADVANCEMENT BONUSES
1st: +1 to Strike, +1 to Parry, Critical Strike or Knockout from Behind.
2nd: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact.
3rd: Knockout/Stun on a Natural 19 or 20.
4th: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Dodge.
5th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Body Hardening, Martial Art Techniques, or Special Kata.
6th: +1 Attack per Melee.
7th: +1 to Damage, Critical Strike on a Natural 18, 19, or 20.
8th: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Dodge.
9th: +1 to Strike, +1 to Parry.
10th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Body Hardening, Martial Art Techniques, or Special Kata.
11th: +1 to Damage.
12th: +1 Attack per Melee.
13th: +1 to Parry, +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, +1 to Damage.
14th: +1 Attack per Melee, Death Strike on a Natural 20.
15th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Body Hardening, Martial Art Techniques, or Special Kata.
Why Study Tankendo/Jukendo?
The bayonet has long been considered a terror weapon, well when you've got a bayonet the size of short sword, terrorize your enemies whether or not the bayonet is mounted.