Practice of Jodo

By Keith Rose

Jodo is a kata based art which is practised with a partner, one person using the Jo and the other using a wooden practice sword called a Bokuto. The Jo itself is generally made from Japanese Oak and is 128cm with a diameter of approxiamately 2.4cm. This size is constant as, unlike with the sword, no allowance is made for the size of the user.

At Do Shin Ken Yu Kai both Seitei Jodo and Shindo Muso Ryu Jojutsu [Koryu] are practiced, most people beginning with the practice of Seitei Jodo and then gradually moving on to Koryu practice.

Seitei Jodo

The practice of Jodo begins by learning the fundamental Strikes, Thrusts and blocks [Kihon] which will be required to perform the Kata. The Kihon may be practiced in solo form [Tandoku Dosa] or with a partner [Sotai Dosa]. There is a modicum of formal ettiquette performed before and after the practice of both Kihon and Kata, but it is not as formal as that for Iaido. There are a total of twelve Kihon, though the last of these is practiced from both the right and left side giving a more proper count of thirteen.

Kihon no Uchi Tsuki Waza

Honte Uchi
Gyakute Uchi
Hikiotoshi Uchi
Kaeshi Tsuki
Gyakute Tsuki
Maki Otoshi
Kuritsuke
Kurihanashi
Taiatari
Tsuki Hazushi Uchi
Dobarai Uchi
Tai Hazushi Uchi - Migi
Tai Hazushi Uchi - Hidari

There are twelve Kata in the 'Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei Seitei Jodo Gata', which may be practiced in solo form but are more correctly practiced with a partner. They are named;

Ipponme - Tsuki Zue
Nihonme - Suigetsu
Sanbonme - Hissage
Yonhonme - Shamen
Gohonme - Sakan
Ropponme - Monomi
Nanahonme - Kasumi
Happonme - Tachi Otoshi
Kyuhonme - Raiuchi
Jupponme - Seigan
Jyuipponme - Midaredome
Jyunihonme - Ranai

Examinations for rank in Jodo may be taken through the British Kendo Association, who are in turn affiliated to the International Kendo Federation. Initially all examinations are based on knowledge of and ability in the Seitei kata, in examinations for Rokudan [6th dan] and above some knowledge of and ability in Koryu kata is required.

Shindo Muso Ryu Jojutsu

There are over sixty Jo kata in the syllabus of the Shindo Muso Ryu and as there are two sides to each kata, Jo and Sword, this number is effectively doubled. Again ettiquette is performed before each practice, the ettiquette is different and slightly more elaborate than that used for Seitei Jodo. The kata are grouped into levels of practice, these being;

Omote Waze - Twelve kata
Chudan - Thirteen kata
Kage - Fourteen kata
Sami Dare - Five kata
Gohon no Ranai - Five kata
Okuden - Fourteen kata
Hiden Gokui - Five kata

In addition to the Jo kata, the syllabus of the Shindo Muso ryu contains the teaching of other weapons and of these 'Shinto Ryu Kenjutsu' and 'Uchida Ryu Tanjo Jutsu may be practiced at Do Shin Ken Yu Kai.