Shindo Muso Ryu Jodo (神道夢想流杖道)

2011 Fall Festival

Shindo Muso Ryu Jodo is a classical Japanese martial art that teaches adaptability, precision and fearlessness. In practice, a stick is used to subdue a sword-wielding attacker. Originally practiced as a police art in Kuroda-han, Kyushu, the emphasis is on control rather than killing. There are no dan ranks given in classical Jodo, so our focus is simply on continually building and honing our skill and spirit.

The Jodo curriculum includes over 64 techniques (12 Omote, 13 Chudan, 2 Ranai, 14 Kage, 6 Samidare, 5 Gohon no Midare, 12 Okuden), plus variations. Associated weapons include 12 Kenjutsu (8 odachi, 4 kodachi), 12 Tanjo (walking stick), Kusarigama (chain & sickle), Jutte (truncheon & iron fan) and Hojojutsu (rope tying).

Ichirei July 2008

Texas Jodokai (正夢道場)

Our friends in the Nihon Jodokai have shared instruction in the traditional katas and other weapons of Shindo Muso Ryu. We honor our debt to them by striving to practice what we have been given. Our deepest appreciation is due to Kaminoda Tsunemori sensei, Shindo Muso Ryu menkyo kaiden, for his generosity, openness and untiring devotion.

Our study group is one of several pods in the US following Kaminoda sensei. We periodically travel to Japan for gasshuku, and we visit with our sempai here as often as practicable. This maintains our connection to our sensei and his teaching.

Japanese Festival, 2011
Ursuline Academy, 2010
Japanese Festival, 2017

Seitei Jodo

Our group began in the Fugakukai association, which chose Jodo as the best weapons system to complement Aikido. Successors including the KazeUta Budokai study Seitei Jodo to learn distance, timing, and how to transmit power through an object. We continue to honor the teachings of Miyake Tsunako sensei and Karl Geis sensei, who passed to us their arts and budo heart.

Seitei Jodo is based on the 12 kata and 12 kihon that were selected from Shindo Muso Ryu for the Kendo Renmei. The Aikido randori-informed version of Seitei Jodo has a different purpose, and occasionally different morphology from the other evolving versions of Seitei Jodo. Due to the limitations of Seitei kata, practitioners of this subset may independently explore variations to understand the rationale of the standard forms. This differs from the classical approach which is based on direct transmission, wherein answers to questions arising in early forms are answered by insights gained from later ones, and through the guidance of a licensed teacher.

Seitei Jodo has a dan-rank system, in which students may participate if desired. Students of Seitei Jodo are welcome to begin study of Koryu Jodo, understanding that this is a commitment to a classical tradition and relationships.

What if...
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Jodo is offered to all members of Denton Aikido without charge, and visitors are welcome. We practice twice a week, Saturday mornings at 11:00 am and Wednesday evenings at 6:00 pm. Call 940-391-1197 for information.


Video Clips & Stuff

Kyle Sloan and Nick Lowry shihan (on Google video)

Tachiotoshi no midare (on Youtube video)

Shimizu sensei demonstrations with Kuroda sensei (look up SMRnagoya channel)

Pascal Krieger - Way of the stick.pdf


Poems

Shindo Muso Ryu Jodo Song by Kaminoda Tsunemori sensei

Dedication Poem by Kikegawa Satoshi sensei

Kusarigama Poem by Kikegawa Satoshi sensei


If you have questions, comments, or suggestions, please email me at jjbieler@airmail.net