Shindo Muso Ryu Jodo is a classical Japanese martial art that teaches adaptability, precision and fearlessness. In practice, a stick is used to subdue a sword-wielding attacker. Originally practiced as a police art in Kuroda-han, Kyushu, the emphasis is on control rather than killing. There are no dan ranks given in classical Jodo, so our focus is simply on continually building and honing our skill and spirit.
The Jodo curriculum includes over 60 techniques (12 Omote, 12 Chudan, 2 Ranai, 12 Kage, 5 Samidare, 5 Gohon no Midare, 12 Okuden), plus variations. Our group is working its way through these forms, as well as the 12 Kenjutsu (8 odachi, 4 kodachi) and 12 Tanjo (walking stick). Kusarigama, Jutte and Hojojutsu are eventually included. The five gokui waza are reserved for menkyo.
The photos on this page were taken during a seminar introducing classical Jodo to a group of Aikidoka. The practice uniform for Koryu Jodo normally includes uwagi (normally a blue kendo jacket) and hakama.
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Our friends in the Nihon Jodokai have shared instruction in the traditional katas and other weapons of Shindo Muso Ryu. We honor our debt to them by striving to practice what we have been given. Our deepest appreciation is due to Kaminoda Tsunemori sensei, Shindo Muso Ryu menkyo kaiden, for his generosity, openness and untiring devotion.
Our study group is one of several pods in the US following Kaminoda sensei. We periodically travel to Japan for gasshuku, and we visit with our sempai at the Northern Virginia Jodokai as often as practicable. This maintains our connection to our sensei and his teaching.
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Our group began in the Fugakukai association, which chose Jodo as the best weapons system to complement Aikido. Successors including the KazeUta Budokai study Seitei Jodo to learn distance, timing, and how to transmit power through an object. We continue to honor the teachings of Miyake Tsunako sensei and Karl Geis sensei, who passed to us their arts and budo heart.
Seitei Jodo is based on the 12 kata and 12 kihon that were selected from Shindo Muso Ryu for the Kendo Renmei. The Aikido randori-informed version of Seitei Jodo has a different purpose, and occasionally different morphology from the other evolving versions of Seitei Jodo. Due to the limitations of Seitei kata, practitioners of this subset independently explore variations to understand the rationale of the standard forms. This differs from the classical approach which is based on direct transmission, wherein answers to questions arising in early forms are answered by insights gained from later ones, and through the guidance of a licensed teacher.
Seitei Jodo has a dan-rank system, in which students may participate if desired. Students of Seitei Jodo are welcome to begin study of Koryu Jodo, with the understanding that the koryu forms are not subject to interpretation (inevitable misinterpretation aside).
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Jodo is offered to all members of Denton Aikido without charge, and visitors are welcome. We practice twice a week, Saturday mornings at 11:00 am and Wednesday evenings at 6:00 pm. Call 940-391-5296 for information.
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Tachiotoshi no midare (on Youtube video)
Dedication Poem by Kikegawa Satoshi sensei
Kusarigama Poem by Kikegawa Satoshi sensei