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Jodo

The short staff against the sword.

The art of the jo, a 128 cm staff, used against the sword. It comes from Shindo Muso-ryu, whose founder Muso Gonnosuke is said to have faced Miyamoto Musashi. The All Japan Kendo Federation teaches a modern form.

Fact file

Country
Japan
Founder / origin
Muso Gonnosuke (tradition)
Year / period
early 17th century
Type
Weapons
Sources: All Japan Kendo Federation (jodo)

History

Jodo, "the way of the short staff", comes from Shindo Muso-ryu. Tradition says the swordsman Muso Gonnosuke, defeated by Miyamoto Musashi, created techniques with a short staff (jo) and later beat Musashi with them.

In 1968 the All Japan Kendo Federation created a standard set of forms (seitei jodo), today 12, practised in pairs: one with the jo, one with a wooden sword.