Aikido and Jo Staffs
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Aikido Jo Staff | The Wooden Staff Of Japan
Known as "The Wooden Staff of Japan," the Jo staff is usually created from hardwood cylindrical or octagonal in shape with a length ranging from 50" to 56" and a diameter of about 1".
The Jo is also called the four-foot staff or short staff, distinguishing it from the long or Bo staff (six-foot stick), and the Hanbo or half (three-foot) stick. Staffs can be referred to as staves, sticks or spears.
The Jo staff is used alone in kata or paired with other staves in practice sessions, and it has historical links with the Japanese katana. Staves are preferred by many martial artists above all other weapons due to their elegance, simplicity and speed.
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The Jo is also called the four-foot staff or short staff, distinguishing it from the long or Bo staff (six-foot stick), and the Hanbo or half (three-foot) stick. Staffs can be referred to as staves, sticks or spears.
The Jo staff is used alone in kata or paired with other staves in practice sessions, and it has historical links with the Japanese katana. Staves are preferred by many martial artists above all other weapons due to their elegance, simplicity and speed.
For More Info on Aikido Weapons Stop By:
Aikido Weapons.org
Contents at a Glance
The Jo Staff's Ties To Aikido
In Aikido, the Jo staff is used for spearing, hitting, or deflecting a strike from an opponent.Morihei Ueshiba (1883 - 1969), the founder of Aikido, adapted the Jo with the intent to teach the principles of Aikido. His use of the Jo is called aikijo. Aikijo is similar to jodo because both involve fencing to a degree, but they differ in the overall nature and strategu behind the fencing.
Jodo techniques are faster and sharper, using angular attacks and defensive moves. Aikijo techniques tend to be slower and softer by using circular movements to blend attacks and defenses in order to reduce or negate an attack.
Even though Ueshiba believed in unarmed battle, he still understood the importance of becoming competent in weaponry. He believed and taught that Aikido is a process that features circular motions and techniques that are more defensive than offensive. It is a weapon of choice when harming or killing your opponent is not the desired result.
Aikido Jo Staff Jonage Wrist Technique
Simple Yet Effective Tactic
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Jo Staff History
Divine Insight Leads To The Jo Staff
The history of the Jo is one of divine birth and noble heritage. The use began sometime between 1608 and 1611, when a samurai named Muso Gonnosuke suffered his first and only defeat at the hands of Japan's greatest swordsman Miyamoto Musachi (1584-1645).
Muso used his favorite weapon: the six-foot Bo staff. Musachi, using both a long and a short sword, blocked and parried the staff in such a way that Muso could not use the Bo effectively. Miyamoto spared Muso's life and Muso retreated to the mountains to meditate on his defeat.
During Muso's search for a new weapon to use in a rematch, he was Inspired by a dream. As a result of this inspiration, he designed a staff that was shorter and thinner than any others being used at the time. The new weapon, the Jo Staff, was designed to be much faster and would allow Gonnosuke to get a lot closer to his opponent.
The Jo Staff was the edge Gonnosuke needed when the two fought again. He returned the favor and spared Miyamoto Musachi's life, becoming the only man ever to best the master swordsman.
Muso used his favorite weapon: the six-foot Bo staff. Musachi, using both a long and a short sword, blocked and parried the staff in such a way that Muso could not use the Bo effectively. Miyamoto spared Muso's life and Muso retreated to the mountains to meditate on his defeat.
During Muso's search for a new weapon to use in a rematch, he was Inspired by a dream. As a result of this inspiration, he designed a staff that was shorter and thinner than any others being used at the time. The new weapon, the Jo Staff, was designed to be much faster and would allow Gonnosuke to get a lot closer to his opponent.
The Jo Staff was the edge Gonnosuke needed when the two fought again. He returned the favor and spared Miyamoto Musachi's life, becoming the only man ever to best the master swordsman.
Proper Jo Staff Length
Selecting The Correct Length Has It's Advantages
The Jo staff of Muso Gonnosuke's design and the one used in his school, Shinto Muso Ryu, is about 50 1/4" in length with a diameter of 15/16". Most martial artists use a Jo tailored to their own height, and some dojos and organizations adopt their own size guidelines.
In choosing a wooden weapon for use in the classroom, the first step for a newbie is to find out what is used or required in the their dojo. For instance, a custom made Jo that is extra thick or excessively long may or may not be welcome in some dojos.
While picking your Jo length, remember that everyone is different, but generally speaking customizations in size should be on the conservative side. A taller person may need a Jo 54" or more, and a shorter person might want to stay with the original length of just over 50" rather than ordering a very short Jo.
A general rule for proper Jo length is floor to armpit while standing barefoot. The measurement is with the arm in a normal relaxed position.
In choosing a wooden weapon for use in the classroom, the first step for a newbie is to find out what is used or required in the their dojo. For instance, a custom made Jo that is extra thick or excessively long may or may not be welcome in some dojos.
While picking your Jo length, remember that everyone is different, but generally speaking customizations in size should be on the conservative side. A taller person may need a Jo 54" or more, and a shorter person might want to stay with the original length of just over 50" rather than ordering a very short Jo.
A general rule for proper Jo length is floor to armpit while standing barefoot. The measurement is with the arm in a normal relaxed position.
Proper Jo Staff Thickness
The Role of Diameter and Balance
A feeling of thickness and weight can be affected by the smallest of differences in diameter. A mere 1/16" added to the circumference of a 52" Jo will feel noticeably thicker and may affect the overall feel and balance of the staff.
Some students feel they need to custom order a thicker Jo of 1 1/8 to 1 1/4 " without realizing the effect of small changes in diameter. The volume of a cylinder is proportional to the square of its radius. If you increase the radius/diameter by a small amount, the feeling of thickness goes up exponentially.
2 standard thicknesses are used: 15/16 and 1". You should base the thickness of your Jo on its length and other characteristics that affect how the weapon feels in your hands.
A taller person may want a staff diameter that matches the overall length, but ultimately, it should feel natural and balanced when using.
Some students feel they need to custom order a thicker Jo of 1 1/8 to 1 1/4 " without realizing the effect of small changes in diameter. The volume of a cylinder is proportional to the square of its radius. If you increase the radius/diameter by a small amount, the feeling of thickness goes up exponentially.
2 standard thicknesses are used: 15/16 and 1". You should base the thickness of your Jo on its length and other characteristics that affect how the weapon feels in your hands.
A taller person may want a staff diameter that matches the overall length, but ultimately, it should feel natural and balanced when using.
Advantages Of The Jo Staff
Simplicity Is The Key
In the Japanese countryside of old, many farming tools were used as weapons. Several martial arts weapons like the Bo, Sai, Nunchaku and Tonfa were crafted from farming tools.
The Jo staff could be crafted pretty quickly from a tree branch. This is one advantage that past stick fighters had that swordsmen didn't. When it came time to fight, a Jo staff could easily be made from materials at hand.
The cane or walking stick has been used as a defensive weapon for as long as people have used them as a walking aid. A walking stick can be used to hook and trip an attacker, as well as being useful as a club to strike an opponent.
Nowadays, broomsticks, garden rakes, shovel handles and others can easily be turned into a Jo staff.
The Jo is a humble weapon with an interesting and noble history; a simple yet complex weapon.
The Jo staff could be crafted pretty quickly from a tree branch. This is one advantage that past stick fighters had that swordsmen didn't. When it came time to fight, a Jo staff could easily be made from materials at hand.
The cane or walking stick has been used as a defensive weapon for as long as people have used them as a walking aid. A walking stick can be used to hook and trip an attacker, as well as being useful as a club to strike an opponent.
Nowadays, broomsticks, garden rakes, shovel handles and others can easily be turned into a Jo staff.
The Jo is a humble weapon with an interesting and noble history; a simple yet complex weapon.
Aikido: The Art Of Peace
The modern Japanese martial art of Aikido was developed between 1920 and 1960.It emphasizes the spiritual and philosophical development of its students.
Shinto and Buddhism are chiefly responsible for this development of its spirituality and philosophical belief.
Aikido is defensive and is meant to distract or immobilize, not to permanently damage or kill an attacker.
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In this way, Aikido fighters are demonstrating a merciful but effective response.
The Great Teacher of Aikido Ueshiba declared that "to control aggression without inflicting injury is the Art of Peace."
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Guest Book
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Treasures-By-Brenda
Nov 22, 2011 @ 5:42 pm | delete
- This is the first I've heard of Aikido Jo Staffs. Thanks for the great introduction.
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Chris-H
Oct 1, 2011 @ 1:23 am | delete
- Nice! I have a Bo Staff. The Jo Staff is new to me. May have to get one...
Thanks!
Oh!, btw your first video no longer works. Just thought you'd like to know.
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vineliner
Oct 2, 2011 @ 12:23 pm | delete
- Thanks for the heads up on the video. Yeah, Jo staffs are pretty cool in that they look more like a cane or walking stick and don't draw as much attention, but can still be used as a defensive or offensive weapon....Thanks for stopping by.
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Hal is a freelance writer living in the Midwest United States. His many interests include sustainable living, natural healing and sports.
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