Montréal Jukendo & Tankendo Club

First Jukendo & Tankendo dojo created in Canada - Founded in 2018

What is Jukendo & Tankendo?

Jukendo is a modern Japanese martial art that employs a wooden replica of a rifle with a bayonet fixed to the tip, emphasizing linear thrusts, precise footwork, and timing. It simulates the use of the bayonet as it would be attached to a rifle in combat.

Tankendo, also a modern Japanese martial art, uses a short bamboo sword to represent the bayonet once it has been detached from the rifle, focusing on agility, close-range techniques, and rapid movement.

Both disciplines are practiced with full protective gear, making them safe and enjoyable. They also offer excellent benefits for physical fitness, mental focus, and personal discipline.

木銃 Mokuju

A wooden replica of a rifle.

短竹 Tanshinai

A bamboo replica of a bayonet.

胸当て Mune-ate

A protection to cushion thrusts.

着-袴 Gi & Hakama

A practice uniform, including a jacket with a French style and a traditional Japanese pants.

しの Shino

A glove that helps to maintain a good grip on the mokuju and prevent blisters.

面 Men

A helmet that protects the head and throat.

肩 Kata

A shoulder protector that protects the heart and shoulder.

胴 Do

An armor that protects the torso.

小手 Kote

Gloves that protect the wrists and thumb.

垂れ Tare

An apron that protects the lower body. It contains a leather loop to attach the kata.

What is the difference with other martial arts?

You may have noticed that the attire and armor worn are very similar to those of other budo, such as kendo or naginata. There are similar concepts (reigi, maai, zanshin, etc.), but jukendo and tankendo are unique martial arts, with specific techniques and rules. Below are some very distinctive points of these disciplines.

Most Jukendo and Tankendo techniques are thrusts.
For this same reason, one must "withdraw their weapon" from the opponent's body.
In Tankendo, it is possible to grab the opponent to strike
Learn more about Jukendo & Tankendo →

Want to try?

We offer free trial classes for interested beginners. No experience or equipment required, just come in comfortable clothes and we'll take care of the rest! For more information, contact us at the following address: jukendomontreal@gmail.com

About the Club

We are a non-profit Jukendo and Tankendo club based in Montreal, dedicated to promoting and developing these fascinating Japanese martial arts in Quebec and across Canada. Our practice sessions are held at the Greene Centre in Montreal (Westmount) every Sunday from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. All those interested are warmly welcome to join us!

We are officially affiliated with the International Jukendo Federation.

Rolain Thomas

Founder

Instructor

Tankendo 4D

Jukendo 3D

Thomas's journey in martial arts began with Kendo, which he started practicing in Belgium in 2008. After relocating to Montreal, Canada in 2013, he continued to pursue Kendo with dedication. In early 2018, his curiosity led him to explore the lesser-known disciplines of Jukendo and Tankendo, which he first encountered through online resources such as Jukendo World.

Eager to deepen his understanding, Thomas traveled to Japan to participate in the first-ever International Jukendo/Tankendo Seminar, organized by the All Japan Jukendo Federation. This immersive experience marked the beginning of a new chapter.

Upon returning to Montreal, he founded the Montreal Jukendo & Tankendo Club (MJTC), Canada's first Jukendo/Tankendo dojo, with the goal of offering structured training and helping to grow these unique martial arts across the country.

What does the club logo represent?

Our dojo logo encompasses a stylized fleur-de-lys, evoking both royalty and the province of Quebec, a revisited version of the Japanese kanji for mountain "山," and a circle representing the island of Montreal. Taken altogether, it perfectly represents our dojo located on the island of Montreal at the foot of Mount Royal.

The credit for this incredible work goes to our friend Miki Chart.


Latest news

Summer Dinner at Tempura Kyodai

1 min read

What a day! Wrapped up a solid Tankendo practice, followed by a well-deserved dinner at Tempura Kyodai. We came together not just to train, but to celebrate everything our dojo has accomplished over the past year.

Tankendo and Jukendo Glossary

1 min read

We've updated our website to include a glossary of terms related to Jukendo and Tankendo.

This glossary is designed to help newcomers and enthusiasts alike understand the terminology used in these martial arts. You can find it on the Resource page of our website!

MJTC at martial art day!

1 min read

Our club along Naginata Concordia, Shidokan Kendo & Iaido Club and U.I.M.A.‬ for some demonstrations and fighting (including mixed sparring)!

Photo credit to Mtl Mike.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to buy equipment to practice?

We provide all the necessary equipment if you don't have any. If you decide to continue, we recommend you buy your own equipment for comfort reasons.

How much does it cost?

The registration fee is 30 CAD per month.

Is it dangerous?

Not at all! The armors and padding are designed to absorb shocks and protect the participants.

Can I try before signing up?

Of course! Feel free to contact us to schedule a trial session or to get more information.

Can I practice only Jukendo or only Tankendo?

These two disciplines are taught together. We alternate between the two every week.

You can choose to attend only one of the two disciplines, but we strongly recommend you practice both!