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In Martial Arts most people's perception of Jo is derived from theShindo Musu Ryu Jodo/Jojutsu. During my earliest visit to Japan, I had theopportunity to train in the Shindo Muso Ryu with Kaminoda Sensei (who wasChief Instructor to the 'Kidotai' - Japanese Riot Police). Although thiswas no more than a passing visit, I did nonetheless have some familiarity

with approach.However nothing could have prepared me for the revelation that was in

store, when I experienced the radical Jojutsu techniques of Kukishiden Ryu.Next year (1997) Jo will be the featured weapon of the Bujinkan and

will be taught in Japan and at Taikais abroad by Hatsumi Soke. As such, Ihope that some details of the Jo, its use, history and the first waza ofthe Jojutsu will be of interest to Bujinkan members. (Neither the Bujinkan,nor Hatsumi Soke are in any way responsible for any errors or omissions,that I may unwittingly have made .)

The Kukishinden Ryu (nine demons divine transmission school) was foundedduring the Kamakura period (12th century). The founder was apparently

visited in his sleep by nine demons, during nine consequtive nights. It issaid that these demons instructed him in the secret techniques that becamethe foundation of the Ryu. In later years the Kuki family were tasked with

protecting the coastal waters of their home region in Kumano and extracteda 'toll' from passing shipsto support that patriotic duty.

The techniques of the Jo (also known as Yonshaku Bo - four lengthstaff) are said to be 800 years old and came from the techniques ofRokushaku Bo and Sword,containing elements from both arts. The length of the Jo may vary,dependant on the size of the user.

The Jo is not primarily a military weapon, indeed it is considered asmore of a defensive weapon, as it doesn't have any sharp edges (as with asword). However once a sword has been used a number of times, it may loseefficiency, because of damage to the blade. This is not the case with a Jo,which will always remain good.

Because of the length of the Jo (being approximately two thirds of theRokushaku Bo and only slightly greater in length than the sword), it wasneccessary that the user move in to strike and then back out of rangeagain. Used correctly the Jo could apparently break a sword blade.

One advantage of Jo training is that it very good for body positioningand alignment. Many of the movements also relate to Taijutsu techniques

such as Omote and Ura shutos and tsuki.Jumonji (figure ten, i.e. cross) is the first waza of the Jojutsu anddescribed in brief it goes something like this;-

Uke begins in Sword Seigan no Kamae - Tori is in Jo Ihen no Kamae.Tori strikes to uke's left Kasumi - which is blocked and then to left Do,which is also blocked. He then switches position to strike to Uke's rightKasumi (blocked). He then rotates Jo to strike to right Kasumi again(blocked). Next rotate Jo in opposite direction and changes body positionto stike at left Kasumi.

Far more detail is necessary to complete this waza and rather thanrisk drawing critism for publicaly exposing our techniques, I have included

only such details as to afford a flavour of the form. As Hatsumi Soke saysyou must learn the feeling of technique, it cannot be learnt from books or

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videos you must go and train with him.Peter King.