Godaiko Jodokai

The Godaiko Jodokai (Five Great Lakes Jodo Association) studies Shindo Muso Ryu Jodo, an art invented in Japan by Muso Gunosuke in the early seventeenth century. The art is built around using a staff a little over four feet in length matched against a sword. According to varied histories, the jo was used by Muso Gunosuke to defeat the famed swordsman Musashi Miyamoto in a duel. In addition to the jo, Shindo Muso Ryu incorporates teachings from five other schools: Kasumi Shinto Ryu kenjutsu (sword), Uchida Ryu tanjojutsu (walking stick), Ikkaku Ryu juttejutsu (truncheon and fan), Isshin Ryu kusarigamajutsu (sickle and chain) and Ittatsu Ryu hojojutsu (rope-tying art).

The history of Shindo Muso Ryu lies in the island of Kyushu where for roughly three hundred years the art was restricted to retainers of the Kuroda clan in Fukuoka City. Instruction spread from Kyushu during the 1930s as Shimizu Takaji Sensei (1896-1978) moved to Tokyo and began training martial artists and the police in the art. We follow the teachings of his student and protégé Kaminoda Tsunemori Sensei of the Nihon Jodokai.

Kaminoda Sensei is Menkyo Kaiden, hachidan hanshi, chief instructor at the Zoshokan Temple dojo in Tokyo, and the recognized headmaster of Isshin Ryu kusarigamajutsu. He is a noted author and coauthor of authoritative volumes on jodo, tanjo, kusarigama, kenjutsu, and jutte. The successor to Shimizu Sensei as instructor for the 4th Division of the Tokyo riot police charged with guarding the imperial family, Kaminoda Sensei received a decoration from the Emperor of Japan in 2006 for his service to the Japanese police.

Through regular contact with Japan, senior members of the Godaiko Jodokai try to improve their skills and adhere to the traditions of their teacher and their teacher's teacher. Though Shimizu Sensei succeeded in having jodo added to the set of arts tested by the All Japan Kendo Federation (ZNKR), Kaminoda Sensei does not ask us to participate in the dan testing system, nor do we spend much time practicing Seitei jodo. The emphasis of this group is on learning the entire ryu and its associated arts - truly a lifelong effort. In some cases, Sensei has issued traditional ranks. There are only four traditional ranks: Oku Iri Sho, Sho Moku Roku, Go Moku Roku, and Menkyo Kaiden. Our instructor, Rich Friman has Sho Moku Roku from Sensei.

When learning jodo, students are typically first taught the 12 basic jodo kihon, and the basic application of kihon against sword in sotai renshu. As the student progresses, training incorporates the dynamic exploration of kata (patterned partner practice) with sword and jo. Depending on talent and effort, the student will be taught the first set of kata, Omote, and then work through the remaining curriculum. There are seven sets of kata (not counting the oku) with more than 60 kata total. Each set is arranged to bring the student along to a new level of self-mastery and insight.

Early in a student's training they may be shown tanjojutsu. With more time, the student should be taught kenjutsu, as understanding the logic of using a sword will improve the quality of their jo practice. Eventually, if the student wants to, they may learn jutte, kusarigama and hojojutsu.

Please contact Rich Friman at kgkfudoshin@sbcglobal.net, if you are interested in this traditional Japanese weapons art.