Baltimore Jodo, located in downtown Baltimore, Maryland (USA), is a group dedicated to the practice of Shinto Muso-ryu jo, commonly called Jodo. Shinto Muso-ryu jo is a traditional Japanese martial art which uses a four foot long staff (jo) in combat.
Shinto Muso-ryu (also called Shindo Muso-ryu) is said to be the oldest Japanese combat style using a jo. It was founded in the early 17th century by Muso Gonnosuke Katsuyoshi. According to the legend, after losing combat to the famous Japanese swordsman Miyamoto Musahi, Gonnosuke developed Shinto-muso ryu and successfully won a later rematch.
Jo training has the goal to develop individuals both both technically and mentall. Technical training concentrates on bodyy movement and weapons handling. Emphasis is also placed on traditional Japanese martial concepts involved in kata practice.
Shinto Muso-ryu is a member of a family of martial arts called koryu, or koryu bujutsu. Once numbering in the thousands in Japan, these arts were originally practical training methods used by the samurai, or fighting class, in Japan. Today the depth and sophistication koryu study can offer an attractive alternative to competition based martial arts schools.
Baltimore Jodo is affiliated with the Pan-American Jo Federation, led by Phil Relnick Sensei. Relnick-sensei is a traditionally licensed Menkyo Kaiden in Shinto Muso-ryu jo.
Although the jo is definitely at the core of Shinto Muso-ryu, throughout its history the style has collected around it a number of other combat systems. Members are introduced to these systems as they progress. Some of the systems associated with Shinto Muso-ryu are:
Although originally developed as a teaching method to prepare for combat, the time when peoples lives depending on their skill with a jo or sword is long past. This begs the question: why study it? For modern students of jo, "fighting" is not the goal, rather the goal is development - physical and mental - through a sincere study and practice of martial movements and concepts. Distilled within the techniques and culture of Jodo are the accumulated knowledge of one of the world's most advanced and unique martial cultures. Our goal is to discover and internalize this knowledge in the present.
If you have an interest in training, please browse the links page for more information and to educate yourself on Jodo, and on koryu in general. If you would like to observe a class, or have any questions about Baltimore Jodo (or Jodo in general), please feel free to contact us at the using the below link.
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