The Budo Academy

The Pinnacle of Precision

Shinto Muso Ryu Jojutsu

Jojutsu is a traditional Japanese martial art focused on the use of the jō, a wooden staff typically about 4 feet long. The practice emphasizes precision, control, and fluid movement.

This remarkable art offers challenging opportunities for personal growth, improved physical fitness, and a deeper understanding of oneself. The martial skills and mental stamina developed through Jojutsu are unparalleled.

Training consists of basic techniques called kihon, and several sets of two person forms called kata. These kata are practiced in pairs: one person wields a wooden sword called a bokken, and the other wields the jo staff.

Students first learn basic postures and movements with the kihon (basics) set of jojutsu techniques. Then as training progresses, the sword is introduced with familiar sword kata (forms) from our Sword Arts curriculum. When the students are ready, they are introduced to the more complex Shinto Muso Ryu Jojutsu kata.

The initial Jo staff techniques were developed in the early 17th century, by samurai Muso Gonnosuke Katsuyoshi, a renowned warrior who is believed to have dueled with and later defeated the legendary swordsman Miyamoto Musashi. After initially losing a duel to Musashi, Gonnosuke withdrew to Kamado Shinto Shrine on the top of Mount Hōman to train. He developed his series of jo techniques to counter and defeat any swordsman — and was reportedly victorious with his rematch with Musashi.

Jo training has since evolved into a modern art used still today by many martial arts schools, including Aikido, Kempo/Jujutsu, and even Japan’s police forces. Our club is dedicated to preserving these teachings through the Budo Academy, passing them on to new generations of martial arts students to ensure the continuation of these traditions.

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