Hello everyone. Thank you for reading this article. I’m Shogo from Let’s ask Shogo, the interpreter of the online lessons and owner of this website.
In the Ryuha style, Asayama Ichiden Ryu, which you can learn through our online lessons, is a mixed martial art that teaches not only katana skills, but also the fighting techniques of the staff, sickle, chain ball, etc. In this article, let’s focus on explaining why we train the skills of the staff, or Jō in Japanese.
Jō has been included in the “Eighteen Martial Arts” since the Edo period (1603-1868) and was a type of weapon practiced by samurai. It was often used especially when capturing an opponent without killing them was necessary. Even today, there are still many Ryuha that teach Jō.
So, has the art of Jō been taught in our Ryuha, Asayama Ichiden Ryu, since ancient times? Actually, no. Although our Ryuha was founded about 400 years ago, the art of Jō was actually created after the Meiji era (1868~1912). In other words, it has only been around for 150 years at most. Why did Asayama Ichiden Ryu create Jō in this period? It becomes clear when we consider the historical background of that time.
The Meiji Era was a time when the samurai era ended and Japan became modernized and westernized. At this time, Japanese society underwent a major transformation, and new laws forbade the carrying of katana, which until then had always been carried by samurai. The samurai lost all their power at once, and it was feared that katana would disappear completely from Japan. To preserve the techniques of Asayama Ichiden Ryu for future generations, they created Jō, a form of swordsmanship that transfers the techniques of Kenjutsu. The Jō was allowed because it was not a cutting tool.
Currently, both Kenjutsu and Jō can be learned. If you have not yet seen the video, please watch the video, as it includes many techniques unique to Jō.
Another great article on the history of the budo we are learning. The only thing I’d like to add for people who are considering the Jo staff, is that in my opinion, it is the most practical self defense weapon you can learn. Of course in modern times, if you can carry a gun, that is probably your best option for self defense. But what about when you *cannot* carry a gun? What if you travel to somewhere you’re not allowed to carry? On government property for instance? Suddenly, you’re left seemingly depending on your “hand to hand” skill.
But a stick? Think about how common you will see “sticks” in your daily life. How easily could find or wield one. If you were trained in the Jo staff, how many implements would you suddenly have access to if you needed to defend yourself? They are so common and readily available that you wouldn’t actually *need* to carry one around with you. It’s one of the great reasons I’ll be learning the Jo staff from Seki Sensei. It’s something anyone else should consider too.