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.