Core Curriculum
The Need for Balance: Training in both Jodo (associated weapons arts) & Iaido
Written by Rick Polland
Jodo, "The Way of the Stick" has a curriculum that takes the practitioner through a series of ever more complex steps of wielding the stick against the sword. Eventually a very old style of kenjutsu or sword fighting is learned. Jodo also incorporates the tanjo, a shorter stick, the jutte or truncheon, the kusarigama or sickleand chain and a rope tying art called hojojutsu. Like Iaido there are forms or kata to be learned within the Koryu as well as practice sets for when diverse groups come together to train.
Written by Rick Polland
The sword drawing art of Iaido has often been likened to "moving Zen." Although this may be an apt description, depending upon the goals and sustained efforts of the exponent Iai offers us a very demanding regimen where the devil is in the details. While learning nuance Iai compels us to project outwards. Improper training can easily reduce the movements (kata) into dance.
The student usually begins trainingwith bokken (wooden sword) and iaito (zinc-aluminum training blade) eventually developing skill sets necessary for using a live (sharp) edged sword. Without mastery of technique, the dangers are self-evident as one mistake, one error in judgment can bring tragic consequences.
Different schools of Iai have different "heiho" (strategies). Practitioners learn the curriculum of their specific school (ryuha).
Note: Jodo and Iaido can both be found in sets of kata (seitegata) selected so that various schools can train together with common elements under the auspices of the All Japan Kendo Federation (AJKF). This organization establishes technical guidelines for standarized testing and are not always promoting the same techniques as studied under a teacher of koryu.
We practice Muso Shinden Ryu Iaido as developed by the kenshi (sword saint) considered the modern founder of iai Nakayama Hakudo.
Written by Rick Polland
Back in the `70's the combative sword arts we practiced was simply known as "Shinto Ryu Kenjutsu". The name had been lost to history but was roughly analgous to the name "smith" in that it was a very common catch all name. Shimizu Sensei himself when asked about the art's name and origins could not provide much additional detail.
Research in the '90's spearheaded by Mr. Kaminoda and authenticated by the Imperial Household's Historical Archives Division revealed that the original name very well might'be been "Kasumi Shinto Ryu" although most Jodo exponents today still refer to it as Shinto Ryu. The densho or scrolls handed down from generation to generation and recently found in family archives lists 12 kata that reasonably reflect the same 12 kata previously known as Shinto Ryu.
The study of the ken (sword) within Jodo was historically learned only after achieving some mastery with the stick. Appearing deceptively simply the ken as practiced with a bokuto (wooden sword for contact training) is quite challenging to learn and master. It is interesting to compare movements when looking at how the ken is used for both tanjo and jutte as well.
Written by Rick Polland
Kasumi Shinto Ryu Kenjutsu
Isshin Ryu Kusarigamajutsu
Ikkaku Ryu Juttejutsu
Uchida Ryu Tanjojutsu
Ittasu Ryu Hojojutsu
The oral tradition states that Muso Gunnosuke, the founder of Shindo Muso Ryu Jojutsu had mastered 3 styles of kenjutsu (sword fighting) and favored the sickle and chain weapon known as the kusarigama.
From a historical perspective, the sword had to be thoroughly understood in order to devise methods to defeat it with the stick. In learning Jodo, proper training demands that the superior technician be on the sword (ken) side of training. This individual is referred to as Uchidachi or simply as tachi. The beginner (kohai) is called shidachi.
The jutte, a police truncheon, hojojutsu, the rope arresting art and the tanjo were incorporated into the Shindo Muso Ryu much later on. The jutte and rope were considered police tools much like a night stick and handcuffs here in the West. The Uchida Ryu Tanjojutsu was incorporated during a period of civil unrest and political assassination by Uchida Ryogoro. We hope to discuss this incredible history and and the Uchidas in other articles.
Today study begins with the jodo kihon (12 basic movements) and then progressively challenging forms (kata). As the practitioner's skill sets improve, these other arts are introduced in order to enhance the understanding of the budo (martial ways) and to challenge the combative distance that each requires.
