Shindo Muso Ryu.

This koryu or old tradition, which includes a variety of weapons (jo, ken, kodachi,
nito, tanjo, jutte, tessen, kusarigami, ...) was founded around the end of the 16th century by Muso Gonnosuke (Katsuyoshi), a swordsman of Katori Shinto Ryu and Jikishinkage Ryu.

Very little is known about the life of this person though most accounts link his invention of the system with his duel and subsequent defeat at the hand of the famous swordsman Miyamoto Musashi, his period of recluse where, where he received the revelation "with a stick know the Suigetsu". And his successful rematch with Musashi.

After developing his art, Gonnosuke became the teacher of the Kuroda clan, and Jojutsu was one of the most secretive arts of the period. Permission to teach outside the han (feudal territory) was not granted until 1872 after the Meiji Restoration had taken place.

Whilst the Koryu is still practiced widely around the world, Jodo today also includes the training set developed in the late 1960's, by Takaji Shimizu sensei (25th head master of Shindo Muso Ryu) and adopted by the Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei known as Seitei Jodo

Shimizu also changed the name of the style to Jodo, and developed the 12 kihon (basic exercises) as a training aid. The Seitei Jodo described below is governed by the Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei (Japanese Kendo Federation).

The Jo methods

Gonnosuke is said to have combined kenjutsu (swordsmanship),the art of the yari (spear) and naginata (halberd) into Shindo Muso Ryu Jojutsu.

The stick has a diameter of 8 bu (2.42 cm), and a length of 4 shaku, 2 sun and 1 bu (127.6 cm). Uses include thrusts, parries, strokes (cutting), and larger reaping techniques. The stick also acts in shielding the user from the assailant.

Training with a Jo

Because these are "real" weapons and very dangerous if used improperly, the
jo has no competition aspect where one uses protective equipment and engages in freestyle sparring with a mock weapon as in kendo or naginata. Training is conducted through the use of kata (pre-arranged formal training exercises), against a swordsman amed with a bokuto (oak sword - very lethal, Musashi won many of his famous duels using this weapon) and an understanding of the full application of the kata. The kata training develops timing, distance, awareness, spirit, and a peaceful, calm mind and attitiude.

A benefit of this method is that where swords inflict great hurt to people , sticks provide a greater degree of flexibility in response , ranging from discomfort, contusion, and trauma or, IF THE SITUATION REQUIRES IT , lethal effect.

SYLLABUS OF ZEN NIHON KENDO RENMEI SEITEI JODO

KAMAE : JO

1. TSUNE NO KAMAE:
2. HONTE NO KAMAE:
3. GYAKUTE NO KAMAE:
4. HIKIOTOSHI NO KAMAE:.

KAMAE : BOKUTO

1. SEIGAN NO KAMAE : bokuto pointed at the eyes
2. JODAN NO KAMAE : bokuto above the head
3. HASSO NO KAMAE : bokuto aside the head to protect the temple
4. WAKIGAMAE: bokuto low at the side backward

KIHON (TANDOKU DOSA = individual practice - SOTAI DOSA = mutual practice)

1. HONTE UCHI.
2. GYAKUTE UCHI
3. HIKIOTOSCHI UCHI.
4. KAESHI TSUKI
5. GYAKUTE TSUKI.
6. MAKI OTOSHI
7. KURI TSUKE .
8. KURI HANASHI
9. TAI ATARI
10. TSUKI HAZUSCHI UCHI
11. DOBARAI UCHI
12. MIGI TAIHAZUSHI UCHI - HIDARI TAIHAZUSHI UCHI

KATA (paired practice)

1. TSUKI ZUE
2. SUI GETSU
3. HISSAGE
4. SHAMEN
5. SAKAN
6. MONOMI
7. KASUMI.
8. TACHI OTOSHI
9. RAI UCHI
10. SEIGAN
11. MIDAREDOME
12. RANAI