Baltimore Aikido offers training in the traditional Japanese art of Jodo (the actual Japanese name of the art is Shinto Muso-ryu jo 神道夢想流杖). Jodo is a traditional Japanese art which uses a four foot long staff. It also includes the study of swordsmanship, and at later stages a number of other traditional Japanese weapons.
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David Pitard leads the Jodo group at Baltimore Aikido. He is a direct student of Philip Relnick Sensei with whom he began training in 1994 while living in Tokyo.
Like many Jodo practitioners, David started his martial arts training with karate, and then aikido. While living in Japan in the mid 90's and studying aikido, David received an introduction to Phil Relnick Sensei, one of the earliest non-Japanese students of Jo. He started his training not long after, and has contiued to train under Relnick-sensei ever since.
David lived in Japan for seven years, and has a deep appreciation for the lanugage and the culture, and their link to the study of Japanese martial arts.
In Jo, practice is paired forms (kata), leaning to use a jo against a swordsman. This is different from some other arts where the primary practice is solo. This is an important distinction as paired weapons practice brings a level of uncertainty to training.
Although both aikido and SMR are Japanese arts, they have a very different history. The jo in akido (sometimes called aiki-jo) was developed in the 20th century by the founder of aikido, Morhihei Ueshiba. It was then systemized in various ways by his students. SMR is a much older art with a specific training method, handed down over hundreds of years directly from teacher to student. Training in SMR will enhance your understanding of martial movement, training methods, and concepts - all potentially applicable to aikdo (or any martial art). Ultimately, they are and should remain distinct arts. Those who train in both SMR and aiki-jo should be careful not to mix them.
Training does not involve falling or aikido style ukemi. The emphasis is on power and efficiency though proper technique, rather than through muscle. Everybody trains at their own level and pace, but for those who which to push themselves jo can be demanding both physically and mentally. The best jo practicioners are also very capable athletes.
We are not a commercial dojo, but there are still costs associated with training. The current costs are:
The name is Shinto Muso-ryu jo. Sometimes we abbreviate to "jo" or “jodo," and sometimes we abbreviate to SMR.
Unlike some other martial arts - aikido, for example - where everyone does whatever is taught in class, jodo has a curriculum, which means that techniques are taught in a specific order. Everyone proceeds at their own pace, more senior students working with newer ones on what they are learning. It is important that you are aware of where you are in the curriculum. Just observing, or listening to someone else get taught, does not move you through the curriculum.
It is not appropriate to practice techniques you have not been taught. If you are in a situation where your partner doesn’t know where you are and moves into unknown territory, you should say that you haven’t learned that technique yet, and move on to something else. Jo side and sword side are considered separate techniques – if you have learned the Jo side of a technique, it doesn’t mean you have also learned the sword side.
That will vary with the individual, the teacher, and the amount of training you are able to do (both in class and on your own). In the beginning it is natural to want to practice more than the few things you have been shown. Remember, jodo is more about depth than breadth. The most basic technique you have been shown will truly take a lifetime to master. Be patient and you will soon find you have more than you can handle.
We currently only have two classes a week. You should make the commitment to come every week. Training by yourself outside of class will have a significant impact on your progress, and is encouraged. If you are unable to make training for some reason, especially it is if for more than a week or so, please call, text, or send me an e-mail so I know you haven’t dropped off the face of the earth
No, not really. Japanese Koryu does have a culture of secrecy, and only people who have permission from the leader of the group you are training with can teach. The leader of our branch of Jo is Philip Relnick-sensei, who lives in Seattle, WA. Diane Skoss-sensei in NJ is our regional leader on the East Coast. Others in the area (including myself) have received permission to teach. We ask that you respect this tradition and do not teach jodo without permission. Even within class, it is generally not appropriate to correct or show others what you know. This is more a matter of quality control than secrecy.
Yes. We use the traditional ranking system of Shinto Muso Ryu jo, but it won’t be relevant until you’ve been training for a number of years. These are certificates and scrolls awarded after a number of years of training. Our group has chosen not to create additional rankings for the purpose of giving people shorter term goals.
Your seniority date is based on the day you first start training. It is relevant when you line up, and when you start training with somebody; the senior person usually takes the sword first.
Well, it is a Japanese art. There are lots of ways to approach this, but our approach is to use Japanese terms for our technique names, commands, etc. There are cheat sheets available. Taking a little time to learn these will make you feel more comfortable in training.
There are many specific points on how to behave in a dojo, but you will figure out most of them over time. In general take seriously how you behave, as it sets an important tone for the dojo and for training. To quote from Krieger-sensei: “it not easy to learn peace through the study of war.” Being respectful is the essence etiquette.
A few specific points on weapons handling are worth noting:
After observing, you are welcome to come to your first few classes without anything special. If you decide to continue, you should invest in proper gear.
Possibly. The Jo/Bokken that we use in Shinto-muso ryu are of a specific length. Even if you are taller, or shorter, the weapons still need to be a specific length. Bring them and check.
You may hear about this, so it is worth mentioning. When you first start, the curriculum you will learn will be an introductory set of techniques called “seitei-gata.” After a certain point (maybe a year or so), you will switch to the traditional “koryu” curriculum – “koryu” means “old style.” It is at this point that your real training in the ryu will begin.
The kata that specifically train the other weapons (sword, short staff, jutte, etc...) are taught after a solid foundation with the jo has been established, which takes several years.
Pleae do not come to class without first contacting David Pitard. I ask that you come to at least two full classes to observe, even if you are already training aikido. This gives you a chance to see what training is like, and also gives us a chance to meet. When observing, the expectation is you will stay for the whole class, and you will actually be observing – not texting, reading etc. Please schedule ahead so that I know when you are planning to come observe. Contact David Pitard to arrange a time.
Jodo isn't specificalliy seen in Shogun, but it was developed around the same time as the events depicted in the series. Shogun ends around 1600, and Shinto Muso-ryu was developed approximately 5 years later. Shogun is of course a fiction, but it is a beautiful depiction of the culture that produced unique Japanese martial arts such as Shinto Musl-ryu Jo.
If you have any questions which are not covered in the above FAQ, or wish to discuss training, please use the Jodo Form on this page to contact David Pitard.
Jodo was originally developed for combat, specifically for policing activities. This was at a time when people‘s lives depended on their skill, in this case using a stick against a much more deadly sword. In Japan, the rise of various schools created a rich an unique martial culture, the purpose of which to develop a high level of martial ability, and to also develop spritiually and intellectually mature individuals. Obviously, the practical value of skill with jo and sword is limited. The spiritual and intellectual development, however, are perhaps more important than ever.
For questions about training jo at Baltimore Aikido, please see our Jodo FAQ.
Students interested in studying jodo should contact David Pitard using the form below to set up a time to observe a class.
More information about Shinto Muso-ryu and our wider jo community may be found at the following websites:
The school was founded sometime around 1605 by Muso Gonnosuke Katsuyoshi, a warrior of the Tenshinsho-den Katori Shinto Ryu and Kashima Jikishinkage Shinto Ryu.
The original martial art has evolved and been added upon ever since its inception and up to modern times - mainly as a closely guarded secret (otome-waza) martial art of the military police of the Kuroda-han in Fukuoka, Kyushu.
Today the rich curriculum of Shinto Muso Ryu includes approximately 64 sword/staff kata. As well as almost 80 related weapons kata. All of these are divided into specific sets designed to highlight specific lessons and guide an exponent towards a comprehensive understanding of this weapons system.
Shinto Muso Ryu Jo was successfully brought outside of its original domain in Fukuoka, and outside of Japan itself in the 19th and 20th century. Mainly through the efforts of Shimizu Takaji.
Legend tells us that Jojutsu was created as the result of a duel with the famous swordsman Miyamoto Musashi. Gonnosuke, as a swordsman, was participating in ‘musha shugyo’. This involved traveling around Japan studying various martial arts and engaging in duels in an effort to improve his technique. Gonnosuke was reputed to be a very skilled swordsman and never defeated until he met Musashi. His first duel with Musashi ended in defeat, but luckily Musashi spared his life.
In an effort to understand his weaknesses, he retreated to a shrine, Kamado Jinja on Mount Homan near Dazaifu in Kyushu, to engage in meditation and austere training. Finally he had a vision that laid before him the use of a short staff (about 4 shaku 2 bu 1 sun: 128 cm) as a remarkably flexible weapon. Jojutsu combines the striking motions of the Sword, the thrusting motions of the Spear and the sweeping motions of the Naginata
Although the jo is at the core of Shinto Muso-ryu, throughout its history the style has collected around it a number of other combat systems. Some of the systems associated with Shinto Muso-ryu are:
Interested in Jodo and live in the Richmond, Virginia, area? There is an afiliated SMR study group which trains in Richmond at Aikido in the Fan. Please contact David Pitard using the form below or email Joe Montague if you have an interest.
Baltimore Aikido is a school dedicated to the practice of aikido, a Japanese martial art. Aikido is a form of functional training improving mind-body coordination.
© 2022 Baltimore Aikido. All rights reserved. Photography Credit: Marshall Janoff
Baltimore Aikido is a member dojo of Aikido Schools of Ueshiba.
