Jodo
Encyclopedia
, meaning "the way of the jō
", or is a Japanese martial art using short staffs called jō. The art is similar to bōjutsu
, and is strongly focused upon defense against the Japanese sword. The jō is a short staff, usually about 3 to 5 feet (0.9 to 1.5 m) long. The martial art of jōdō was the province of professional warriors, so it was usually not used by travelers to ward off aggressive bandits or swordsmen, as one might expect.
jōjutsu (sometimes known as Shinto Muso-ryu jōdo - "Shindo" is also a valid pronunciation for the leading character), is reputed to have been invented by the great swordsman Musō Gonnosuke Katsuyoshi
(夢想 權之助 勝吉, fl.
c.1605, date of death unknown) about 400 years ago, after a bout won by the famous Miyamoto Musashi
(宮本 武蔵, 1584–1645). According to this tradition, Gonnosuke challenged Musashi using a bō
, or long staff, a weapon he was said to wield with great skill. Although there are no records of the duel outside of the oral tradition of the Shintō Musō-ryū, it is believed that Musashi caught Gonnosuke's bō in a two sword "X" block (jūji-dome). Once in this position, Gonnosuke could not move in such a way as to prevent Musashi from delivering a counterattack, and Musashi elected to spare his life.
Gonnosuke then withdrew to a Shinto
shrine to meditate. After a period of purification, meditation, and training, Gonnosuke claimed to have received a divine vision. By shortening the length of the bō staff from roughly 185 cm to 128 cm (or, in the Japanese measurements, four shaku, two sun and one bu), he could increase the versatility of the weapon, giving him the ability to use techniques created for the long staff, spear fighting and swordsmanship. The length of the new weapon was longer than the tachi
(long sword) of the period, but short enough to allow the reversal of the striking end of the jō in much tighter quarters than the longer bō. Gonnosuke could alter the techniques he used with the jō stick, depending on the opponent he faced, to provide himself with many different options of attack. He named his style Shintō Musō-ryū and challenged Musashi again. This time, when Musashi attempted to use the jūji-dome block on the jō staff, Gonnosuke was able to wheel around the other end of the staff (because of the reduced length), forcing Musashi into a position where he had to concede defeat. Returning the courtesy he received during their previous duel, Gonnosuke spared Musashi's life.
This may be a fabricated origin of the creation of jōjutsu, as the oral tradition of the Shintō Musō-ryū is the only mention of this duel, or for that matter, a person defeating Musashi in combat. Witness accounts of Musashi's life, as well as his own writings, insist he retired from dueling undefeated. What is known, however, is that Gonnosuke eventually became the martial arts instructor for the Kuroda clan of northern Kyūshū
, where jōjutsu remained an exclusive art of the clan until the early 1900s, when the art form was taught to the general public.
), the police truncheon (jitte), and a lesser-known art called hojōjutsu
, the art of tying up one's opponent after subduing him. All of these point to jōdō's strong connections to law-enforcement, which is probably what it was originally used for. The other branch is called Seitei Jōdō
, which is practiced by the All Japan Kendo Federation (全日本剣道連盟 Zen Nippon Kendō Renmei) in conjunction with kendo
, the art of Japanese fencing, and iaidō
, the art of drawing and cutting with a real blade. Seitei Jōdō starts with 12 pre-arranged forms (kata
), which are drawn from the koryū system. After mastering these 12 kata the student continues with the study of the koryū.
Today, jōjutsu has also been adapted for use in the Japanese police force, who refer to the art as keijō-jutsu, or police stick art.
Jo
JO, Jo or jo may refer to:*Jō, a ~4-foot-long wooden staff used in some Japanese martial arts*Cho , , also spelled Jo, a common Korean family name*Jo , a 1971 French comedy...
", or is a Japanese martial art using short staffs called jō. The art is similar to bōjutsu
Bojutsu
, translated from Japanese as "staff technique", is the martial art of using a staff weapon called bō which simply means "staff". Staffs are perhaps one of the earliest weapons used by humankind. They have been in use for thousands of years in Eastern Asia. Some techniques involve slashing,...
, and is strongly focused upon defense against the Japanese sword. The jō is a short staff, usually about 3 to 5 feet (0.9 to 1.5 m) long. The martial art of jōdō was the province of professional warriors, so it was usually not used by travelers to ward off aggressive bandits or swordsmen, as one might expect.
Legendary origin of the first school of Jōjutsu
Shintō Musō-ryūShinto Muso-ryu
, most commonly known by its practice of jōdō, is a traditional school of the Japanese martial art of jōjutsu, or the art of wielding the short staff . The technical purpose of the art is to learn how to defeat a swordsman in combat using the jō, with an emphasis on proper combative distance,...
jōjutsu (sometimes known as Shinto Muso-ryu jōdo - "Shindo" is also a valid pronunciation for the leading character), is reputed to have been invented by the great swordsman Musō Gonnosuke Katsuyoshi
Muso Gonnosuke
Musō Gonnosuke Katsuyoshi was a samurai of the early 17th century and the traditional founder of the Koryu school of jojutsu known as Shintō Musō-ryū...
(夢想 權之助 勝吉, fl.
Floruit
Floruit , abbreviated fl. , is a Latin verb meaning "flourished", denoting the period of time during which something was active...
c.1605, date of death unknown) about 400 years ago, after a bout won by the famous Miyamoto Musashi
Miyamoto Musashi
, also known as Shinmen Takezō, Miyamoto Bennosuke or, by his Buddhist name, Niten Dōraku, was a Japanese swordsman and rōnin. Musashi, as he was often simply known, became renowned through stories of his excellent swordsmanship in numerous duels, even from a very young age...
(宮本 武蔵, 1584–1645). According to this tradition, Gonnosuke challenged Musashi using a bō
Bo (weapon)
A bō or kon , is a long staff weapon used in Okinawa and feudal Japan. Bō are typically around long and are now used in Japanese martial arts, in particular bōjutsu...
, or long staff, a weapon he was said to wield with great skill. Although there are no records of the duel outside of the oral tradition of the Shintō Musō-ryū, it is believed that Musashi caught Gonnosuke's bō in a two sword "X" block (jūji-dome). Once in this position, Gonnosuke could not move in such a way as to prevent Musashi from delivering a counterattack, and Musashi elected to spare his life.
Gonnosuke then withdrew to a Shinto
Shinto
or Shintoism, also kami-no-michi, is the indigenous spirituality of Japan and the Japanese people. It is a set of practices, to be carried out diligently, to establish a connection between present day Japan and its ancient past. Shinto practices were first recorded and codified in the written...
shrine to meditate. After a period of purification, meditation, and training, Gonnosuke claimed to have received a divine vision. By shortening the length of the bō staff from roughly 185 cm to 128 cm (or, in the Japanese measurements, four shaku, two sun and one bu), he could increase the versatility of the weapon, giving him the ability to use techniques created for the long staff, spear fighting and swordsmanship. The length of the new weapon was longer than the tachi
Tachi
The is one type of traditional Japanese sword worn by the samurai class of feudal Japan.-History and description:With a few exceptions katana and tachi can be distinguished from each other if signed, by the location of the signature on the tang...
(long sword) of the period, but short enough to allow the reversal of the striking end of the jō in much tighter quarters than the longer bō. Gonnosuke could alter the techniques he used with the jō stick, depending on the opponent he faced, to provide himself with many different options of attack. He named his style Shintō Musō-ryū and challenged Musashi again. This time, when Musashi attempted to use the jūji-dome block on the jō staff, Gonnosuke was able to wheel around the other end of the staff (because of the reduced length), forcing Musashi into a position where he had to concede defeat. Returning the courtesy he received during their previous duel, Gonnosuke spared Musashi's life.
This may be a fabricated origin of the creation of jōjutsu, as the oral tradition of the Shintō Musō-ryū is the only mention of this duel, or for that matter, a person defeating Musashi in combat. Witness accounts of Musashi's life, as well as his own writings, insist he retired from dueling undefeated. What is known, however, is that Gonnosuke eventually became the martial arts instructor for the Kuroda clan of northern Kyūshū
Kyushu
is the third largest island of Japan and most southwesterly of its four main islands. Its alternate ancient names include , , and . The historical regional name is referred to Kyushu and its surrounding islands....
, where jōjutsu remained an exclusive art of the clan until the early 1900s, when the art form was taught to the general public.
Modern practice
The modern study of the jō, known as jōdō (way of the jō), has essentially two branches. One is the koryū, or "old school" jōdō, which also incorporates other arts and weapons, such as the short staff (tanjō), the chained sickle (kusarigamaKusarigama
The is a traditional Japanese weapon that consists of a kama on a metal chain with a heavy iron weight at the end. The kusarigama is said to have developed during the Muromachi period...
), the police truncheon (jitte), and a lesser-known art called hojōjutsu
Hojojutsu
Hojōjutsu or Nawajutsu, is the traditional Japanese martial art of restraining a person using cord or rope.Encompassing many different materials, techniques and methods from many different schools, Hojojutsu is a quintessentially Japanese art that is a unique product of Japanese history and...
, the art of tying up one's opponent after subduing him. All of these point to jōdō's strong connections to law-enforcement, which is probably what it was originally used for. The other branch is called Seitei Jōdō
Seitei Jodo
Zen Nihon Kendō Renmei Jōdō, or Seitei Jōdō in short, is a modern form of jōdō created by Japanese martial artist Shimizu Takaji and presented to the All Japan Kendo Federation in 1968.-Seitei Jodo:...
, which is practiced by the All Japan Kendo Federation (全日本剣道連盟 Zen Nippon Kendō Renmei) in conjunction with kendo
Kendo
, meaning "Way of The Sword", is a modern Japanese martial art of sword-fighting based on traditional Japanese swordsmanship, or kenjutsu.Kendo is a physically and mentally challenging activity that combines strong martial arts values with sport-like physical elements.-Practitioners:Practitioners...
, the art of Japanese fencing, and iaidō
Iaido
is a modern Japanese martial art associated with the smooth, controlled movements of drawing the sword from its scabbard, striking or cutting an opponent, removing blood from the blade, and then replacing the sword in the scabbard...
, the art of drawing and cutting with a real blade. Seitei Jōdō starts with 12 pre-arranged forms (kata
Kata
is a Japanese word describing detailed choreographed patterns of movements practised either solo or in pairs. The term form is used for the corresponding concept in non-Japanese martial arts in general....
), which are drawn from the koryū system. After mastering these 12 kata the student continues with the study of the koryū.
Today, jōjutsu has also been adapted for use in the Japanese police force, who refer to the art as keijō-jutsu, or police stick art.
See also
- Zen Nihon kendō renmei Jōdō (Seitei Jōdō)
- Stick fightingStick fightingStick fighting is a generic term for martial arts which use simple long slender, blunt, hand-held, generally wooden 'sticks' for fighting such as a staff, cane, walking stick, baton or similar....
- AikidoAikidois a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Aikido is often translated as "the Way of unifying life energy" or as "the Way of harmonious spirit." Ueshiba's goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to...
- Martial art that incorporates jō training. Note that this is not the jō training practiced in jōdō. - Shinto Muso-ryuShinto Muso-ryu, most commonly known by its practice of jōdō, is a traditional school of the Japanese martial art of jōjutsu, or the art of wielding the short staff . The technical purpose of the art is to learn how to defeat a swordsman in combat using the jō, with an emphasis on proper combative distance,...
- Aiki-jōAiki-joAiki-jō is the name given specifically to the set of martial art techniques practiced with a jō , practiced according to the principles of aikido, taught first by Morihei Ueshiba , then further developed by Morihiro Saito, one of Ueshiba's most prominent students.-Development of aiki-jō:Much of...
- ShugijutsuShugijutsuShugijutsu is a Japanese martial art which uses short sticks. It is a part of jōdō. The techniques where used by farmers in the Kai Province , the land of the Takeda, when they had to fight against thieves and bandits. They picked up any stick available and defended themselves...
- Jogo do PauJogo do PauJogo do Pau is a Portuguese martial art which developed in the northern regions of Portugal , focusing on the use of a staff of fixed measures and characteristics. The origins of this martial art are uncertain, but its purpose was primarily self-defence...
Lists of martial arts that include Jodo/Jojutsu
- AikidoAikidois a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Aikido is often translated as "the Way of unifying life energy" or as "the Way of harmonious spirit." Ueshiba's goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to...
- Hoten-ryuHoten-ryuis a Japanese martial art founded in 1600 CE. It is a school founded on the use of the sword, however it has several different kobuki in its curriculum...
- jojutsu - Jigen Ryu - jojutsu
- Keijojutsu - jo for Japanese Riot Police
- Kukishin-ryu
- Muhi Muteki-ryu - jojutsu
- Nagano ryu-"Jojutsu"
- Owari Tenshin Koryu - Jojutsu
- Shinto Muso-ryuShinto Muso-ryu, most commonly known by its practice of jōdō, is a traditional school of the Japanese martial art of jōjutsu, or the art of wielding the short staff . The technical purpose of the art is to learn how to defeat a swordsman in combat using the jō, with an emphasis on proper combative distance,...
- Sho Bu Do Bu Jitsu Ju Jitsu
- Shojitsu Kenri Kataichi-Ryu
- Suiō-ryū - KoryūKoryuis a Japanese word that is used in association with the ancient Japanese martial arts. This word literally translates as "old school" or "traditional school"...
whose curriculum includes jojutsu - Takenouchi-ryuTakenouchi-ryuis one of the oldest jujutsu koryū in Japan. It was founded in 1532, the first year of Tenbun on the twenty-fourth of the sixth lunar month by Takenouchi Chūnagon Daijō Nakatsukasadaiyū Hisamori, the lord of Ichinose Castle in Sakushū...
- Takeda Ryu Nakamura HaTakeda Ryu Nakamura HaTakeda Ryu Nakamura Ha is a gendai martial art developed by Nakamura Hisashi in the mid to late 20th century.-Takeda Ryu history:...
- Taura Muso Ryu kobudo
- Tendo-ryuTendo-ryuTendo-ryu may refer to:* Tendo-ryu bujutsu, a bujutsu koryu specializing in the use of the naginata* An aikido style founded by Kenji Shimizu* The style of "Anything-Goes Martial Arts" practiced by the Tendo family in the anime/manga series Ranma ½...
- Toda-ha Buko-ryuToda-ha Buko-ryuis a Japanese koryū martial art founded in the late Muromachi period ca 1560 by .The ryū contains an extensive curriculum of weapon-arts including naginatajutsu , sōjutsu, bōjutsu kenjutsu and kusarigamajutsu....
- Yamate-ryu
External links
- European Jodo Federation
- Shindo Muso Ryu Jodo Website
- http://ejmas.com/jnc/jncart_taylor_0900.htm
- http://koryu.com/library/wmuromoto1.html
- Muso Gonnosuke Katsuyoshi article in Fight Times magazine
- Jojutsu article in Fight Times magazine
- Jodo information at Jikishin-kai Organization Website
- Takeda Ryu Maroto Ha - Jodo and Shugi Jutsu
- Some Jodo and Aikijo Clips - Romania Takeda Ryu
- - Jojutsu Seminar
- - Nihon Bugei Demo in 1988, Tokyo which includes also Jo demonstration from various Koryu
- - Joshin Dojo - Enseignement du Jôdô à Bâle, Suisse
- - hokujoukai