Jodo
The term "Jodo" is written as 杖道.
· Jo (杖) means "staff," referring to the practice of combat using a staff approximately 128 cm in length.
· Do (道) translates as "way" or "path," meaning that Jodo is "the way of the staff," a discipline that not only focuses on combat techniques but also on the development of character and self-control through practice.
The Jo is a traditional Japanese weapon that allows for both rapid and fluid attacks and defenses. The art of Jodo or Jojutsu teaches how to use the staff effectively against armed opponents, particularly those wielding a sword. Jodo practice emphasizes the harmony between mind, body, and weapon, promoting precision, control, and adaptability.
Historical Overwiew
Jodo is a Japanese martial art that originated in the 17th century during the Edo period (1603-1868), though its roots trace back to earlier combat techniques using a staff. The creation of Jodo is attributed to Muso Gonnosuke Katsuyoshi, a wandering warrior who, according to tradition, was defeated in a duel by the famous swordsman Miyamoto Musashi. After this encounter, Gonnosuke created a new combat system based on the staff, with the goal of countering Musashi's sword style.
Musō Gonnosuke developed a set of staff combat techniques and founded the school known as Shinto Muso Ryu Jojutsu. This art was specifically designed to defeat an opponent armed with a katana, using the flexibility and versatility of the staff to block, deflect, and strike efficiently.
During the Edo period, as Japan experienced peace under the Tokugawa shogunate, martial arts underwent a transformation. Like other disciplines, Jodo shifted from being purely combat-focused to incorporating a more philosophical and spiritual approach, becoming a path of personal development and inner discipline.
Jodo continued to evolve over the centuries, with its teachings preserved and passed down to the present day. The school not only includes Jo techniques but also the use of other traditional weapons such as the sword (kenjutsu), the sickle with a chain (kusarigama), and others.
In the 20th century, Jodo began to spread outside Japan. In 1968, the All Japan Kendo Federation (ZNKR) incorporated Jodo into its official program, standardizing its practice and creating a set of modern katas known as Seitei Jodo. This helped promote its international diffusion, and today, Jodo is practiced worldwide.
Seibukan Department of Nihon Jodo
The Seibukan Budo [SBIF] recognizes the practice of the school that has been passed down through generations, Shinto Muso Ryu, as well as the practice of Seitei Jodo (ZNKR). The organization values the diversity of styles and approaches of the various masters who teach Jodo within its structure.
This variety within the SBIF allows practitioners to choose the style or master that best fits their personal interests and needs, while instructors have the freedom to work independently within an international organization. In this way, each master can impart their knowledge and achieve their professional goals, contributing to the growth of Jodo in its technical, philosophical, and spiritual aspects.
