The shorter length of the Jo (the three-quarter staff), as compared to the original long staff (the Bo), makes it much easier to use as a weapon - providing reach, without being cumbersome in restricted space. Jodo Ryu is a highly versatile traditional martial art; its range of natural techniques include thrusting, sweeping, striking and blocking; using both ends of the Jo with equal and devastating ease.

The art of the three-quarter staff is considered an effective means of training the mind - developing, in particular, a dynamic, multi-tasking, harmonising and pervasive mind - and an extremely high level of personal self-control.

Jo training centres on a series of kata usually practised as two-man drills consisting of a series of short, devastatingly effective exchanges. As no armour is worn, a certain degree of courage is needed to train freely with the Jo; and a definite trust in one's partner.

The art of Jodo Ryu was embraced not only by Jigoro Kano of judo fame, but also by the founder of aikido, Morihei Uyeshiba. Their interest lead to the formation and acceptance of the three major systems in practise today - 'Aiki-jo', 'Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei Jodo'; and 'Shindo Muso Ryu Jojutsu'.

The latter was the system originally created and propagated by Muso Gonosuke Katsuyoshi after a bout won by Miyamoto Musashi, the famous Japanese swordsman. At that time, Gonosuke was one of the leading students of the Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu (Refer ) and his favourite weapon was the Bo (long staff). Miyamoto, using both a long and short sword, had blocked the staff in such a way that Gonosuke could not withdraw his weapon safely. Miyamoto spared Gonosuke's life, however, and left him to meditate on his defeat. Gonosuke withdrew to a Shinto shrine at Mount Homan. Following a lengthy period of purification, meditation, and practice with the long staff, a 'divine insight' led Gonosuke to develop a shorter staff, the Jo, and a style of fighting with it by blending the techniques of the weapons he had previously been studying: the thrusting techniques of spearfighting; the striking actions of swordsmanship; and the sweeping actions of the naginata (cutting spear). He called his style Shindo Muso Ryu Jojutsu and promptly proceeded to challenge Musashi again. This time, Gonosuke's method enabled him to mount an effective defence while skilfully penetrating Musashi's own two-sword defence. He too, spared his opponent's life and became the only man ever to beat the master swordsman.

Jodo Ryu as offered by the Wu-Shin Chi-Dao Foundation for Self-Development is a modern civilian defensive art system based on the functional integration of the traditional weapon systems of 'Aiki-jo', 'Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei Jodo', and 'Shindo Muso Ryu Jojutsu'. We are the only organisation in South Africa to teach this weapon as a complete, stand-alone training system.

Classes are available at our Hombu dojo.

STUDENT ELIGIBILITY: Minimum age - 20 years.