Jō-jutsu

The Jō-jutsu techniques of the Shintō Muso Ryū have been widely popularized in Japan during the 50’s and 60’s and are today the most demonstrated part of the curriculum of the school in Japan and abroad.

The Jō is a wooden staff, generally made of hard wood (prevalently oak) of diameter of approximately 2,5 cm, or 1 inch, and length of approximately 128 cm, or 4.2 feet, however length and size may vary according to practitioner’s needs. Our branch of the school incorporates almost 70 forms, with the addition of several variations and exercises.
The oldest forms created by the founder of the school, Musō Gonnosuke Katsuyoshi, are still preserved as well as the techniques allegedly used in the legendary duel with Musashi Miyamoto.
Almost all forms, with the exception of a few advanced ones, are practiced to defeat the sword, but other variations and applications are taught along the studies also for more contemporary self-defense scenarios.

The technique of the Jō are very dynamic and can generate great power. This effective and complete system employs swift body movements and many wide circular motions, making it elegant and at the same time effective, a complete workout for the body and mind.
The main strength and the “secret” of the efficacy of the Jō is its reach, about 30 cm, or 1 foot, longer than the average sword allowing an advantageous range during fight.

At the time of it employment by the Kuroda Samurai, it was often used for policing tasks as a “less than lethal” type of weapon and it could be used also by non-Samurai class officers (which were therefore not allowed to carry a sword). Still nowadays it is not uncommon to see Police officers in Japan carrying a Jō for crowd control and security tasks.