AMERICAN JUKENJUTSU - Starting Training in the Bayonet
So you want to train as a martial artist or classical fencer in the bayonet? The following steps will help you develop a plan to become a competent users of this weapons system:
(1) Find a training partner - a good training partner can devote time exclusively to the bayonet every week on a schedule that meshes with yours. Further a good training partner should be: (a) interested in learning and developing proficiency with the bayonet as well, (b) be willing to study the knowledge set for the bayonet as well as the physical skills, (c) be willing and able to challenge you to develop your skills to as high a level as possible, and (d) be someone you enjoy working with.
(2) Decide what system in what period in the bayonet's development you wish to study. In general:
If you are a classical fencer - European and American bayonet systems from 1850 to World War I.
If you are an Asian martial artist interested in traditional martial arts - the Chinese Xing Yi or Pici bayonet systems or Japanese pre-1945 bayonet systems.
If you are interested in modern military applications or modern martial arts - any system of World War II or later vintage.
(3) Obtain the necessary training equipment:
As a minimum a wooden training rifle/bayonet combination (see the Suppliers page) for each participant. Modern trainers are often short when compared with the length of rifles and muskets in the 1800s, especially when the weapons had bayonets fixed. Circular foam pipe insulation, cut to length and hollowed out to fit the end of the wooden trainer, will give you a safe extension that does not inflict injury when it hits and that more correctly represents the length of the weapon/bayonet combination.
Personal protective equipment - the level of equipment depends on the type of instruction. If you plan to do individual drills and partner drills that do not result in contact, equipment requirements may be satisfied with a good set of martial arts gloves. We recommend that you do not attempt full speed, full contact training, and American Jukenjutsu specifically does not sanction such training. The training weapons can inflict serious blunt force trauma, and available protective equipment is not warranted by manufacturers against this specific threat. However, even slow speed training may result in some level of contact, with the potential to cause significant discomfort. Good martial arts gloves, a solid martial arts or fencing mask that provides full facial protection against weapons, and padded torso protection including the throat are the minimum for any level of contact. Contact activity is done at your risk.
Footwear. Although jukendo practitioners go barefoot in competition, no soldier using a bayonet fought in the field without shoes or boots as a routine matter. Clean martial arts, fencing, or athletic shoes provide an appropriate level of protection for both the feet and the training floor surface.
(4) Arrange a training area. Bayonet skills in every system we have examined do not require a high ceiling (although some systems do have a high thrust for use against mounted troops or troops in fortifications) - a bayonet pointed in the air is one that generally does not threaten the target. However, these are long weapons, and the minimum length dimension of a floor should probably be at least 20 feet.
(5) If you plan to do bayonet instruction in a school situation, contact your insurance company and ensure that your policy would cover the use of wooden martial arts weapons. Classical fencing schools operating with standard fencing club insurance may not be covered by that insurance.
(6) If you plan to do bayonet instruction in a school situation, review your risks disclosure in your student agreement to ensure that it accurately describes the risks posed by the level of bayonet training you will be doing.
(7) Obtain reference materials. As a minimum you need to have original instructional manuals (or good reproductions or translations) for the period and system you wish to study. Our References page is a starting point.
(8) Review the ranking standard for the system as published by American Jukenjutsu - The Bayonet Society, and use the standard to help develop a logical progression to your training. Standards are linked from the Systems page.
(9) Start training. Some hints:
Pay attention to learning the footwork used in the system. Time spent on footwork drills early in your training will pay dividends later.
For classical fencers, understand that you will be left foot forward, a reversal of the normal lunging pattern.
These are military systems, often intended to be executed in training (and to some degree on the battlefield) by command. These commands not only identify the skills to be performed but also provide cadence for the actions.
Because the movement patterns are different from most other weapons, develop correct movement patterns by slow practice, and do not attempt skills quickly until your slow execution is at a reasonable level of proficiency.
For older systems you are dependant on drawings and written descriptions of the techniques. These descriptions may be tied to military drill movements of the period, and may not mean exactly what they seem to mean. Work with your training partner and conduct research as needed to identify the actual movement. "Charge firelock" is not a command to run down the field after a padlock that has been set afire. If you need help, contact the society by e-mail, and we will try to assist in deciphering arcane descriptions.
(10) When you feel that you can perform the set of techniques for any level of the system, video your performance and submit it for grading. Before you video your performance look at the grading sheet for the system and make certain that you can perform all of the items listed. The evaluators are looking for smooth performance of the skill, with snap and precision, and for correct positioning of the weapon and your body. Videos may be either DVD or standard size cassette VHS tape; by prior arrangement video can be submitted online by You-Tube. Label the video with your name, level tested, and the system in which you are testing. Some hints:
Absolute perfection is not expected, but good performance is. If you start to make an error in performance it is acceptable to stop, explain your error, and retry the skill - multiple retries suggest you are either too nervous to actually be able to apply the skills in combat or that you have not learned the skill. Equally acceptable is to carry the technique through to completion in a way that would have resulted in success on the battlefield, and then explain your error and retry.
Classical fencers and military applications candidates should execute an appropriate rifle salute at the start and end of the examination. Martial arts candidates should execute an appropriate bow.
Execute the techniques in the order listed in the standard. Announce each technique with the appropriate name or command of execution.
Relax and enjoy showing your skills. If you pass there was no reason to be tense and not enjoy the grading. If you do not pass, regard this as practice for the next grading - you will know what the evaluators are looking for when you test next.
Take the evaluators comments to heart - they are intended not only to point out errors to fix and to highlight good performance that you should take to a new level, but they also should help you position yourself for the next grading.
Updated 2011-01-17.