Valley Spirit Taijiquan
April 1, 2007
Disclaimer
Warning: Practicing with Staff Weapons Can Be a
Dangerous Activity for Adults
I began this webpage in April, 2007. Its purpose is to record my travels along the Way of the Short Staff. I have already prepared a fairly comprehensive and popular webpage on Staff Weapons; which I will continue to expand and improve in 2007.
At first, this webpage was just a copy of the Staff webpage. During 2007, this webpage will change and develop so as to exclusively focus on my practice and knowledge of the Way of the Short Staff (JoDo, Aikijo).
I welcome suggestions and information from readers about good resources, links, books, pamphlets, videos, DVDs, VCDs, schools, workshops, events, techniques, forms, etc.. Please send your email to Mike Garofalo.
In April, 2007, I am practicing the Aikido 13 Jo Kata and the Chen 18 Staff Form.
Mike Garofalo
Valley Spirit Taijiaun
Red Bluff, California
March 2007
I practice with two staff weapons:
White Oak Staff, 50" long x 1.25" diameter, from
WLE
Red Oak Staff, 72" long x 1.25" diameter, from WLE
Short Staff Weapons
Jodo, Aikijo, Jojutsu, Gun Quan
Bibliography, Links, Resources
Aikido of Manhattan, Aikido Jo Practice 2:12 Minutes Video
Aikido Jo Katas: 13, 31, 25
Video Clips
Right and front views.
Aikido Short Staff:
Way of the Short Staff
Aikido 13 Jo Kata. Right
View.
Aikido 13 Jo Kata. Aikido World for Beginners.
Aikido 13 Jo Kata and 31 Jo Kata Videos.
Ki Shin Tai Dojo (Look in video clips)
Aikido 13
Jo Kata, Video clip, 16 seconds. Wałbrzyski Klub Aikido
Aikido 31 Jo Kata.
By Stefan Stenudd. 13KB. Photographs and brief descriptions.
Aikido 31 Jo Kata with Awase. By Jonathan Diesch. A two
person kata.
Aikido 31 Count Jo
Kata and Kumi Jo. By Jonathan Diesch. Descriptions.
Aikido 31 Jo Kata No Kumi
(Iwama Ryu) Saito Sensei
Aikido 31 Jo Kata.
Demonstrated by Saito Sensei. Narration in French. UTube, 5:34.
Front view, side view, footwork view,
Aikido 31 Jo Kata.
Written and graphical instructions.
Aikido 31 Jo Kata and 13 Jo Kata Videos.
Ki Shin Tai Dojo (Look in video clips)
Aikijo - Staff Techniques in Aikido. By Morihiro Saito of Iwama
Aikido. Instructional DVD, 45 minutes.
This video includes: 31 Jo Kata, 20 Jo Suburi, 31 Jo Kumiko, 10 Kumijo, and 13
Jo Awase.
Aiki
Ken and Aiki Jo: The Sword and Staff of Aikido. Instructional DVD.
Aikido
Weapons. Instructional DVD by Patricia Guerri.
Aikido Weapons Techniques: The Wooden Sword, Stick and Knife of Aikido.
By Phong Thong Dang and Lynn Seiser. 124 pages. Tuttle Publishing
Co., 2006.
ISBN: 0804836418.
Alphabetical
Index to the Cloud Hands: Taijiquan and Qigong Website
Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba practicing Jo techniques with his son.
Ba Gua Zhang ( Pa
Kua Chang): Bibliography, links, resources, quotes, and notes.
Circle walking internal martial arts. By Michael P. Garofalo.
60Kb+. Baguazhang
includes some staff forms.
Ba Ji Staff. Taught by Shifu Jiang Jian-ye.
This 36 posture staff form was created by Grandmaster
Wu Lian Zhi. Produced by Shifu Jiang Jian-ye of the Capital District Tai Chi and Kung Fu
Association
of New York,
29 West Dillenbeck Drive, Albany, NY 12203. This VHS videotape is
121 minutes and
priced at $50.00. Website: Jiang's
Tai Chi Videos.
Beikoku Rembukan (Martial Spirit Polishing
Hall) Dojo, Shindo Muso Ryu
"Broadsword and Singlestick - with Chapters on Quarter-staff, Bayonet, Cudgel, Shillalah, Walking Stick,
Umbrella and other Weapons of Self Defence; The Quarter-Staff" By Allanson-Winn, R.G. and C.
Phillipps-Wolley.
London : George Bell & Sons. 1st edition, 1898.
Buying a Jo Staff: Sellers, Distributors, Vendors,
Retailers, Manfacturers
The Cane as a Weapon.
By A. C. Cunningham. Civil Engineer, U. S. Navy. For sale by Army
and
Nave Register, Washington, D., C., 1912. National Capital Press, Inc.,
Washington, D. C. PDF
format, 25 pages.
Cane Masters:
Your Source of Self-Defense and Exercise Using the Cane. Numerous
canes,
instructional videotapes,
and related supplies and equipment are sold.
Canes
and Walking Sticks - Google Links
Chen Tai Chi Short Whip Staff. Taught by Shifu Jiang Jian-ye. 120 minute VHS
videotape.
A 147 movement form in the Chen style, created by Hong Jun-sheng, an indoor
student of
Chen Fa-ke. Produced by Shifu Jiang Jian-ye of the Capital District Tai Chi and Kung Fu
Association of New York, 29 West
Dillenbeck Drive, Albany, NY 12203.
Website: Jiang's
Tai Chi Videos.
Cloud Hands Blog: Taijiquan and
Qigong
Dao (Saber, Broadsword) and Taijiquan
Bibliography, links, resources, quotes, notes.
Waving Hands Like
Clouds: Taijiquan and Qigong
The
Complete Book of Tai Chi Chuan: A Comprehensive Guide to the Principles
and Practice. By Wong Kiew Kit. Shaftesbury, Dorset, Element,
1996. Index,
bibliography, 316 pages. ISBN: 1852307927. The reasons for Wu Tang
Tai Chi Chuan
favoring the sword over the staff, and for its limited use of weapons, are
discussed in
the chapter on Tai Chi weapons, pp. 278-285.
"Cultivating Jin with T'ai Chi Spear." By Gerald A.
Sharp. T'ai Chi, Volume 27, No. 2,
April, 2003, pp. 40-47. Includes many photographs.
Eight Section Brocade
Qigong By Michael P. Garofalo. 280Kb+. History and
purpose of
this popular chi kung practice. Descriptions for each of the eight
movements, health benefits,
comments, variations, extensive links and bibliography, resources, quotations,
animated
.gif photographs of the movements, and charts. HTML format. 65
pages in Word.doc
format. This file is updated
on a regular basis as I add new material, links, notes, and
resources.
Egyptian
Royal Regalia -
Scepter and Staff
European Jodo Federation (FEJ), Shinto Muso-ryu
The Evolution of
Classical Jojutzu. By Dave Lowry. 23Kb.
Fatal
Flute and Stick Forms: Wah Lum Kung Fu. By Poi Chan.
Unique Publications,
1985. 151 pages. ISBN: 0865680590.
The Ferocious Enchanted Staff of
Ancient Monks. By Dr. Leung Ting. 95 pages.
This book consists of the origination, form, and application of the “ferocious enchanted staff” –
a translation from a hand-transcribed book of ancient times!
French
Stick Fighting (Canne de Combat) Online Video. 2:26 minutes.
French
Stick Fighting (Canne de Combat) Online Video. 3:03 minutes.
Goju-Shorei Weapons
System. By Master Dave McNeil. Cane system. A detailed
textbook (288 pages). videos, canes and other products are offered for
sale.
Google Search:
Aikido Jo,
Shinto Muso Ryu Jo,
Google Search Blogs:
Aikijo,
Shinto Muso Ryu
Green Way Research
Red Bluff, California
Hapkido
Weapons: The Cane. Published by Kwang Sik Myung, 1990.
ASIN: 9991213554.
Irish
Stick Fighting, Faction Fighting, Celtic Martial Arts, Bata
Irish Stick Fighting -
Uisce Beatha Bata Rince. Whiskey Stick Dancing.
The Japanese Short Staff. By D. Zier and T. Lang, 1985.
Jian
(Sword) Taijiquan: Bibliography, Links, Resources, Quotes, Notes 180Kb.
"Jin Yiming's Walking Stick Exercises." By Jin
Yiming. T'ai Chi: The International
Magazine of T'ai Chi Ch'uan, Vol. 29, No. 1, February 2005, pp. 39-47.
A 22 form
exercise system. Descriptions of each exercise and line
drawings.
Jo and Bokken Katas of
Aikido. By Greg Henry.
Jo: Art of the Japanese Short Staff. By David Lowry and Mike
Lee. Black Belt
Communications,
Inc., 1987. ISBN: 0897501160.
Jodo Training
Curriculum, Shindo Muso Ryu
Jo: The Combat Weapon of
Japan and Okinawa. By William Durbin.
Jo Do Videos: Tru-Flyte Martail Arts
Jo: The
Japanese Short Staff. By Don Weir. Unique Publications,
1985. 102 pages.
ISBN: 0865680582.
Jo 31 Kata in 4 Directions
By Sensei Stefan Stenudd.
Kihon, Uchi Tsuki Waza, 12 Basic Jo Techniques, From Shinto
Muso-ryu Jodo System
Kobudo: The Okinawan Weapons Arts.
By Charles C. Goodin.
Links with Information about Shindo Muso Ryu Jodo and Related Topics
The Little Book of Jodo.
By Eric Tribe and Kim Taylor. 140 pages.
"The Little Book of Jodo covers
the ZNKR seitei jo. With over 500 black and white photos it covers the kihon
tandoku (solo exercise),
kihon sotai (partner basics exercise) and the
kata
(partner applications)."
Praying Mantis Staff With Applications. Taught by Shifu Jiang Jian-ye.
122 minute VHS
videotape.
A 25 posture combination of Seven Stars, Plum Flower, and Liu He Praying Mantis
styles.
Produced by Shifu Jiang Jian-ye of the Capital District Tai Chi and Kung Fu
Association of New York,
29 West Dillenbeck Drive, Albany, NY 12203. Website: Jiang's
Tai Chi Videos.
Purchasing a Jo
Staff
Red Oak, 50"L, 1.24"D WLE
The Pure Flow of the Jo. Sensei Kishioka Tsuneo. An article by Wayne Muromoto.
Purple Heart Wooden Swords and Staff
Saito Sensei,
Morihiro Saito Sensei, 1928-2002, 9th Dan Shihan. Head of the Iwama
Dojo and keeper
of the Aiki-jinja. Saito Sensei is an Aikido grand master who trained with
Morihei Ueshiba for 23 years.
Tribute and
photographs. Saito Sensei was a noted organizer of Aikido jo katas.
Morihei Ueshiba Sensei and Morihiro Saito Sensei
Seitei Jodo or Zen Nihon
Kendo Renmei Jodo, is a modern form of
jodo created by the
Japanese
martial artist
Shimizu Takaji and presented to the All Japan Kendo Feceration in 1968.
Self-Defense with a Walking Stick. By E. W. Barton-Wright.
1901. 50K. Illustrations and
commentary.
Shindo Muso Ryu Jodo: Links and Information
Shindo Muso Ryu Jodo (Japanese Stick Fighting)
Shinto Muso-ryu Jodo
Resources from Koryu Books
Special Taoist Taiji Stick and Ruler Qigong. By Feng Zhiqiang.
Compiled by
Wang Fengming. 205 pages in English, 127 pages in Chinese.
Staff Spinning
Techniques and Fire Spinning
Stick
Fighting. By Masaaki Hatsumi and Quintin Chambers.
Kodansha International, 1981.
ISBN: 0870114751.
Stick Fighting
Google Video Search
Sword
(Jian) Taijiquan: Bibliography, Links, Resources, Quotes, Notes 180Kb.
Tai Chi Chuan Walking
Stick. Kung Fu magazine, August 1996. The walking
stick forms are
part of the Tchoung style of t'ai-chi ch'uan, developed by Grandmaster
Tchoung Ta-tchen.
Sifu Kurland teaches this
form.
Tai Chi
Sword, Saber and Staff. By Stuart A. Olson. Yearning K. Chen
Series, Volume 5.
Bubbling Well Press, 1986. ASIN: 0938045032.
Taiji and Shaolin Staff Fundamental Training. Performed by Yang,
Jwing-Ming, PhD. Boston,
YMAA, 2003. Instructional VHS
videotape. 90 minutes. ISBN: 1594390088.
Taiji
Staff. By Chip Ellis.
Taoist Secret Style Xuan
Wu Staff. VCD Product. In Chinese. WuDang style
staff demonstrated
and taught by You XuanDe. 2 hours.
Thirteen Jo Kata of Aikido SEE Aikido 13 Jo Kata
Total
Stick Fighting: Shintaido Bojutsu. By Aoki Hiroyuki.
Kodansha Europe, 2000.
140 pages. ISBN: 4770023839.
Traditional Aikido of
Santa Rosa. Bo and Jo katas, one person and two person, are part of
the training program at this dojo. "O-Sensei,
the founder of Aikido, was skillful with both sword
and staff, frequently demonstrating the same movements to be effective even
while empty-handed. "
The Bo is a stave, about 7' feet long. A Bo Kata is a formal standardized exercise with the Bo.
Bojutsu means the techniques of using the Bo.
Traditional Ba Gua Staff with Applications. Taught by Shifu Jiang Jian-ye.
120 minute VHS
videotape.
A 19 movement form in the Ba Gua Zhang style, created by Professor Jiang Zhou
Chu. Produced by
Shifu
Jiang Jian-ye of the Capital District Tai Chi and Kung Fu
Association of New York,
29 West
Dillenbeck Drive, Albany, NY 12203. Website: Jiang's
Tai Chi Videos.
Traditional Chen Family Tai Chi Short Staff. Taught by Shifu Jiang
Jian-ye. Two 122 minute videotapes.
This 74 movement form was created by Master Chen Shen-Pu. The form
requires more advanced
physical conditioning and skills. Produced by Shifu Jiang Jian-ye of the Capital District Tai Chi and Kung Fu
Association of New York,
29 West Dillenbeck Drive, Albany, NY 12203. Website: Jiang's
Tai Chi Videos.
Traditional Yang Family Tai Chi Short Staff 104 Forms.
This short staff form was created in 1994 by Xu Minshan, who was an indoor
student of Yang Chengfu.
Xu Minshan created the form to combine Yang style Tai Chi Chuan postures with
the traditional Yang style
long staff form. This long form, suitable for persons at all skill levels,
is taught using two
instructional VHS
videotapes featuring Shifu Jiang Jian-ye (1950-). Tape 1,
Part 1, teaches movements
1-50 of this form
(VHS, 112 minutes). Tape 2, Part 2, teaches movements 51
-104 of this form (VHS, 112 minutes).
Produced by Shifu Jiang Jian-ye of the Capital District Tai Chi and Kung Fu
Association of New York,
29 West Dillenbeck Drive, Albany, NY 12203. These videotapes were produced in
2002, and priced at
$45.00 each. Website: Jiang's
Tai Chi Videos. Shifu Jiang Jian-ye began his studies of Wushu in 1955
in China and he was educated in China. He is a physical
education, tai chi, kung fu, and calligraphy teacher.
This videotape begins with an introduction of Shifu Jiang,
includes a little history of this short staff
form,
includes a number of short staff warm up exercises, and then teaches the
form. Each movement is
introduced, named, and then illustrated. A front view of the movement is
shown as the teacher provides
verbal instructions and tips. The front view is repeated and then a back
view of the movement is shown.
I find the instructions clear and understandable; and the videotape production
is good.
Shifu Jiang Jian-ye
Yang
Family Short Staff
Traditional
Yang Family Tai Chi Short Staff 68 Forms.
This long form, suitable for persons at all skill levels,
is taught using two
instructional VHS
videotapes featuring Shifu Jiang Jian-ye (1950-). "Traditional Yang
Style Tai Chi Staff is a classic
weapon routine. This form comes from Grand Master Sun Jixian. At the age of 18
he went to Bejing to
study with Grand Master Wang Jiaoyu. Wang Jiayou was an indoor student of Yang
Banhou who was
the son of Yang Luchan, the founder of Yang family Tai Chi Chuan."
Traditional Zhao-Bao Family Tai Chi Staff. Taught by Shifu Jiang
Jian-ye. Two 120 minute videotapes.
Includes applications. Produced by Shifu Jiang Jian-ye of the Capital District Tai Chi and Kung Fu
Association of New York,
29 West Dillenbeck Drive, Albany, NY 12203. Website: Jiang's
Tai Chi Videos.
Traditional Zing-Yi Staff with Applications. Taught by Jiang
Jian-ye.
This 50 posture staff form was
created by Ji Long Feng at the end of the Ming Dynasty. Produced by Shifu Jiang Jian-ye of the Capital
District Tai Chi and Kung Fu
Association of New York,
29 West Dillenbeck Drive, Albany, NY 12203.
This VHS videotape is 120 minutes and priced at $50.00. Website: Jiang's
Tai Chi Videos.
Tsunami Shotokan Karate
Cane Work
Twenty Basis Jo Techniques
21 Kb.
Valley Spirit Center, Red
Bluff, California
Valley Spirit Journal.
By Mike Garofalo.
Valley Spirit Tai Chi Chuan Club. Red
Bluff, California. Organizer: Michael P. Garofalo.
Vendors, Retailers, and Manuacturers of Jo Staffs
Video Clips Online of Staff Weapons Demonstrations
Aikido Jo - Google Video Search
Aikido Jo Kata, 13 Moves, 16 seconds, Wałbrzyski Klub Aikido
Aikido 13 Jo Kata By Sensei Francis.
Aikido Jo Kata, 31 Moves, 33 seconds, Wałbrzyski Klub Aikido
Aikido Staff Kata #2, Richard Polichetti, 25 seconds
Shinto Muso Ryu Jo Work, Featuring Shimizu Takaji. 21 seconds.
Kaminoda Sensei and Shimizu Takaji Sensei (right)
The Walking Stick: Hiking and
Walking - Sticks, Poles and Staff
Walking Stick Method of
Self Defense. A twelve part manual created by Mr. H.G. Lang who
was a British Officer of the Indian Police. It was written in 1923. PDF
format.
Walking Sticks:
Catalog and Links The Sei Do Kai Catalog.
Wampanoag
Carved Walking Sticks
Wind
Sweeps Away the Plum Blossoms: The Principles and Techniques of Yung Style
Tai Chi Spear
and Staff. By Stuart A. Olson. Bubbling Springs Press, 1986.
ISBN: 0938045008.
Aikido
Founder Morihei
Ueshiba with Jo, 1966
Quality
Posters from Aikido Journal
Winding Dragon Wudang Staff. Pan Long Men Wudang Martial Arts. Featuring Sun, Xiang.
WLE Staff Weapons Online Vendor
Wudang Short Staff.
Featuring Master You, Ming Sheng. Wudang Song Xi Branch Series.
Tiger Tail Stick.
Yang Tai Chi Staff. Taught by Jiang Jian-ye. This short staff form was created
by Sun Jixian, who was
an indoor
student of Yang Banjou. This long form, suitable for persons at all skill levels,
is taught using
two
instructional VHS videotapes featuring Shifu Jiang Jian-ye (1950-). Tape 1,
Part 1, teaches
movements 1-34 of this form (VHS, 120 minutes). Tape 2, Part 2, teaches movements
35-68 of this
form (VHS, 117 minutes). Produced by Shifu Jiang Jian-ye of the Capital District Tai Chi and Kung
Fu
Association of New York, 29 West Dillenbeck Drive, Albany, NY 12203. These videotapes were
produced in
2002, and priced at $45.00 each. Website: Jiang's
Tai Chi Videos.
Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan. Includes
numerous staff forms.
Sierra Nevada, California
Rock Creek Basin, Mt. Starr (12,870')
Mike Garofalo, Hiker
Quotations
Short Staff: Jo, Walking Stick, Cane
Jodo, Aikijo, Jojutsu, Gun Quan
Facts, Legends, Lore, Literature
"The craft of cutting a walking stick
no doubt stretches back through time to when Man
first walked on two legs. At first simple tools, they would quickly have come to be
carved and decorated.
The known history of walking sticks however, begins much later
in mid fifteenth century Europe when
sticks have been found ornately carved with
historical events. The term 'cane' was introduced in Britain during
the reign of King
Henry VIII to refer to sticks made of imported exotic woods. Today the word continues
to
refer to the use of exotic woods as well as to mean a stick with a simple taper
and without a curved
handle."
- Phoenix Walking Stick Company
"Although the vast majority of
walkers never even think of using a walking staff, I
unhesitatingly include
it among the foundations of the house that travels on my back.
I still take
my staff along almost as automatically
as I take my pack. It is a third
leg to me - and much more besides.
On smooth surfaces the staff helps maintain
an easy rhythm to may walking and gives me something to lean on when I stop to
stand and stare. Over rough going of any kind, from tussocky grass to pockety rock,
and also in a high wind,
it converts me when I am heavily laded from an insecure
biped to a confident triped. ... It
may well be, too, that the staff also gives me
a false but subconsciously comforting feeling that I am not after all completely
defenseless against attack by
such enemies as snakes, bears and men."
- Colin Fletcher, The Complete Walker III, 1984, p. 78
"In the ancient records of Chinese martial arts, the bo is discussed as
the first weapon
taught to the Zen Buddhist disciples who studied at the Shaolin Temple. There are literary
and pictorial
references to Bodhidharma carrying a bo on his journeys as he taught Zen
Buddhism in the regions near the Shaolin
Temple. One account from a biography on
Bodhidharma tells of his death in 528 AD from the poison of a
jealous monk. It is told
that three years later his body was exhumed due to rumors he had been seen traveling
in
the mountains of Central Asia.
Bodhidharma was said to carry a staff from which
hung a single sandal. He had
stated he was on his way back to India. When the curious
monks opened his tomb, all they found inside was a
single sandal. Ever since then
Bodhidharma has been pictured carrying a staff from which hangs the missing
sandal."
- Sa
Kwon
"The jo, like its larger sibling the
Bo (long staff), was
never an effective weapon on the battlefield in comparison to the
sword, spear and bow just to name a few. Although the jo and most other staves
could be used to lethal effect when
thrust at vital points of the body, but when faced with a fully armoured
opponent those vital points would in most
cases be covered. As a result there were very few
ryu that were
dedicated to the staff-arts in the warring era since
other more effective weapons were available. There are several ryu that include
jo-techniques in it's system. One
example is the jo-tradition found in the koryu art
Tendo-ryu
Naginatajutsu, founded in 1582. In Tendo-ryu, which
uses the Naginata as the primary weapon, there are techniques with the jo that
simulates a scenario where the
naginata has been cut in two and the wielder has to defend himself with the
staff-portion only. With the onset
of peace with the start of the Edo-period (1603-1867), the conflicts with heavy
armoured warriors became
a thing of the past. In this era, the jo-art would come into its own against
non-armoured samurai and
other opponents.
Various other martial arts also include elements of jojutsu not necessarily
related to Shinto Muso-ryu. One of the
most famous promoter of the jo outside of Shinto Muso-ryu in modern times, and
indeed in the martial arts
community as a whole, was the founder of
Aikido,
Morihei Ueshiba. Ueshiba trained in a variety of ryu
including Yagyu swordsmanship, but is not known to have trained in Shinto
Muso-ryu. It is generally
believed that Ueshiba used his training in
sojutsu
(spear) to create a set of techniques for the jo.
(Ueshiba also used the longstaff
bo to perform the same
techniques.)"
- Shinto
Muso-Ryu - Wikipedia
"In Chinese shamanism, a staff represents the power
of the universe. With a staff, a
shaman had the power to pass on the universal knowledge to others. Later,
when
teachers took over part of the shaman's job, they always taught with a small
staff in
their hands like a shaman."
- Master Zhongxian Wu, Vital Breath of the Dao, p. 106
Legend of Bodhidharma's Single Sandal on His Staff
"The bokken (wooden staff-sword) was usually used as a training tool and
simulated the
length of a sword. Miyamoto Musashi (author of the book of strategy "Go Rin No Sho" -
"A Book of Five Rings") is considered by many to be the greatest swordsman in Japanese
history. Many of his duels were
won using only a bokken.
He believed that fencing
technique transcended the weapon used.
... Muso Gonnosuke was defeated by
Miyamoto Musashi and allowed to live. He later developed the jo. The wooden jo
is
around 4 feet long. This
length advantage over the sword allowed Muso Gonnosuke
to defeat Miyamoto
Musashi in a rematch. He spared Musashi's life but that is the only
known defeat suffered by Musashi. The
jo and bokken are two of the weapons used
in aikido to commemorate that battle."
- Gabrielle's
Staff Techniques By Donald Plunkett. 13K
"Gonnosuke withdrew to a Shinto shrine at Mount Homan in Chikuzen province, (modern-day,
Fukuoka Prefecture), where he would practice daily in perfecting his swordsmanship, praying
and performing shinto purifying rituals for 37 days. It is also said, however, that he spent
several years on the road studying other martial arts in various dojos until he ended up in
the Shinto-shrine. After one of his regular (exhausting) training sessions he collapsed from
fatigue and reputably had a vision of a divine being in the form of a child, saying to Gonnosuke:
"know the solar plexus [of your opponent] with a round stick". In another version he had the
vision in a dream late at night. He took it upon himself to create the jo deliberatly longer
than the average katana of the day, 128 cm as opposed to the swords total length of approx.
100 cm, and use that length to his advantage in a fight. Gonnosuke, drawing on his own
considerable experience with the spear, longstaff, naginata and sword, also devised a
set of five jo-techniques for use to counter and defeat a swordsman. Arguebly he also
developed techniques to specifically hinder Musashi's trade-mark x-block.
As the tradition goes, Gonnosuke, now armed with the jo, would again face Musashi in a
duel and defeat him through the use of the superior length of the jo to keep Musashis
swords out of range of Gonnosuke and thus hinder him from using the X-shaped technique
effectively. Gonnosuke had Musashi at his mercy but let him live as a way of returning the
favour granted in the first duel. Musashi, who was said to be impressed by how Gonnosuke
had learned humility from his earlier arrogance and his new skills, made friends with
Gonnosuke, and they would be each other companions during their travels.
The claim that Musashi was defeated, (at all), is still a matter of debate and is generally
taken with a grain of salt."
- Muso Gonnosuke Katsuyoshi (circa 1600), Wikipedia
Article
"I have no fitting gifts to give you at our parting ... But take these
staves. They may be of
service to those
who walk or climb in the wild."
- J. R. R. Tolkien, The Two Towers
"Weapons such as the La Baton, a seven foot staff rod
approximately one inch diameter were commonly
practice by Savate practitioners. It was particular famous among hillside and
farming communities of France
and Spain. There is no particularly evidence on where the La Baton came from but
it has been suggested that
this weapon came into existence by farmers and sheep herders tools such as
walking staffs and garden tools.
The more famous and popular weapon incorporated by Savate is the La Canne. A
1/2 inch diameter flexible
stick approximately 36 inches in length. Savate combines traditional fencing
motions along with kicking
techniques when wielding this dowel shape stick at the opponent. This weapon is
fast and flexible
making it a fierce companion."
- Boxe Francaise Savate
"The peerless master moves with his group from place to place in the
mountains. His small band contains
two highly advanced American disciples. After Babaji has been in one
locality for some time he says,
'Dera danda uthao,' 'Let us lift our camp and staff.' He carries a
symbolic danda (bamboo staff). His words
are the signal for moving with his group instantaneously to another place.
He does not always employ
this method of astral travel; sometimes he goes on foot from peak to peak."
- Told by Swami Kebalananda to Paramhansa Yogananda in 1920, Autobiography
of a Yogi, p. 294.
Yosemite National Park, California
Looking east from North Dome (7,450 feet) towards Half Dome
Mike Garofalo, Hiker
Chinese Chan Buddhist Master Shoushan held up a bamboo staff before a group
and said,
"If you call it a bamboo staff, you are clinging. If you do not call
it a bamboo staff,
you are ignoring. So tell me, what do you call it?" - Wumenquan,
# 43.
"The title of Monkey Pole, or Monkey King Staff, is a curious reference
to the legendary
Monkey King character from Chinese mythology. The Monkey King is a mythical figure
whose exploits are
described in the 400-year-old Chinese classic Journey to the West.
The Money King was an immortal, a
god-like creature who was characterized by mischievous
acts and defiance of the ruler of Heaven. His weapon of choice
was a great rod of iron that he
had stolen from the Dragon King of the Eastern Sea. He bound the ends of his
staff with
gold and engraved it with the words "Gold-bound Wand of my Desires."
Imbued in the staff
itself were magic powers that allowed it to change size from the finest of needles to a
length that could span the
distance between Heaven and Earth.
The mercurial nature
of the Monkey King's staff is said to represent the
flexible nature of the Buddhist doctrine
and its ability to be applied to all situations great and small."
- Hung Chur Kwun - The Hung
Gar Monkey Pole Set
"The walking stick or "cane" has long held a place in man's
history, its roots leading back to the "big stick"
wielded by prehistoric man as a weapon of both self-defense and
aggression. Civilized man carried on the
tradition. Ancient Egyptians and Greeks represented their rulers and gods
carrying staffs which symbolized
authority. These staffs became the scepters of kings during the Middle
Ages. The staff's role as an aid to
travel was exemplified in the hands of pilgrims and shepherds. These wooden
staffs usually were heavy
sticks about 5 feet long. Very often the tops of the sticks held secret
compartments for carrying valuables
or for smuggling contraband. Records show that silkworm eggs were smuggled into
Europe via a hollow
staff. The first tulip bulb introduced into Holland also was reported to have
made a similar entrance."
- The
Walking Stick in History, Vigo County Historical Society
Chinese Chan Buddhist Master Baqiao said to a group, "If you have a
staff, I will
give you a staff; if you have no staff, I will take your staff away."
Wumen added, "It helps you across a river where bridges are out, and gets
you
back to the village when there is no moon. If your call it a staff, you go
to hell
fast as an arrow."
Zen Master Wuzhou added, "Baqiao raised his staff, startling all creation:
shrimp may fly past the heavens, but eyebrows are still above eyes."
- "Unlocking the Zen Koan: A New Translation of the Zen Classic
Wumenguan." Translated by Thomas Cleary, 1993, 1997, p.
195.
"Devi prachanda dora danda daitya
darpa winashine
Roopam dehi jayam dehi
Yasho dehi dwisho jahi.
"Oh Goddess, with your great staff you have
destroyed the demons of egoism and thought.
Grant me freedom, victory, fame and destroy
all hositility."
- Devi Puja (Worship of the Goddess)
Krishna Das,
Pilgrim Heart
"Traditional European systems of stick fighting included a wide variety of
methods of quarterstaff combat, which
were detailed in numerous manuscripts written by masters-at-arms. Many of these
methods became extinct but
others adapted and survived as folk-sports and self defence systems. Examples
include Portugal's
Jogo do
Pau,
France's
bâton français and Italy's scherma di bastone. Giuseppe Cerri's 1854 manual
Trattato teorico e
pratico della scherma di bastone is influenced by masters of the Italian
school of swordsmanship,
Achille Marozzo and perhaps
Francesco Alfieri.
The French system of
la canne is
still practised as a competitive sport. A self-defense adaptation of la canne
developed by Swiss master-at-arms Pierre Vigny in the early 1900s has been
revived as part of the
curriculum of
Bartitsu.
British stick fighting, known as
single
stick or cudgels, was a popular pastime in the UK from the 18th to the
early 20th century, when it was included in the
Olympic Games. Although interest in the art declined, a few
fencing coaches continued to train with the stick and competitions in this style
of stick fighting was re-introduced
into the Royal Navy in the 1980s by commander Locker Madden. The art continues
to gain a small following
amongst the martial art community in the UK, Australia, Canada and the US.
Some of the most advanced stick fighting systems come from the
Philippines.
Filipino martial arts are known
worldwide for their combat stick fighting systems. The weapons vary in design,
size, weight, materials and
methodology.
Baston
or olisi, eskrima sticks, are traditionally crafted from
rattan or
kamagong."
- Stick
Fighting - Wikipedia
"The staff makes the body a little lighter,
If used the way it's supposed to be used,
And makes moving through the forest brighter
If skill and technique is not abused.
"Three points of contact" is the
defensive shield
That can cut down on many a fall,
When a stick, limb, or vine is suddenly revealed
And a spill down a hill might call.
When heavy undergrowth does appear
And penetration is the thing to do,
The staff is the perfect tool to have near
To create a path you can go through."
- James Ebb Huggins, Jr., The
Walking Staff
\"The correct use of the bo (sai, tonfa, kama, naginata, sword) can
produce a stimulating
and practical means of "extension" training. It offers a means of martial arts training
and discipline. Weapons training teaches the meaning of control, timing, distance,
and flexibility as one unit. The
practitioner is required to possess speed, coordination,
strength, and endurance in utilizing the respective weapons."
- History of the
Bo Staff
"Shaolin Kung Fu is famous for its staff, which has become
an unofficial symbol of Shaolin
weapons. Philosophically, the Shaolin staff manifests what Shaolin Kung Fu stands for:
simple yet versatile, hardy
yet compassionate. It is difficult to find a weapon simpler than
a staff,
yet the techniques for other weapons, like the spear, halberd, mace, battle axe,
scimitar, sword or dagger, are all
incorporated in staff training. A staff, like a Shaolin
disciple, is made for all seasons. And though it
is hardy, its combat application
is a
hallmark of compassion, since it is devoid of any sharp or pointed parts
which can
maim or kill an
opponent."
- Wong Kiew Kit, The Complete Book of Tai Chi Chuan, 1996, p.
280.
"The Chinese word gun (棍
pinyin gùn) refers to a long Chinese staff weapon. It is known
as one of the four major weapons, along with the spear, saber, and the sword, called in
this group "The Grandfather of all Weapons".
There are various kinds of gun and these include (from olden days): Monkey Staff (猴棍),
Biangan (鞭杆), Mad Demon Staff (瘋魔棍), Tianqi Staff (天齊棍), Staff of Five Tigers and
Goat Herds (五虎群羊棍), Nunchaku (二節棍), Taiji Staff of Thirteen (太極十三杆),
Taiji Quarterstaff (太極大杆), Taiji Staff (太極棍), Staff of Eight Trigrams and
Seven Stars (八卦七星竿), Staff of Eight Fairies (八仙棍), Flail (槤枷).
The types of gun normally used nowadays for exercises and competitions are the
bailangan (白栏杆) and the nangun (南棍)."
- Wikipedia Gun
(Staff)
"Speak and you get Nanten's staff,
Do not speak and you still get Nanten's staff."
- Zen Koan
Take a look at the Zen painting of Nanten's staff by Nakahara
Nantembo (1839-1925)
Zen Masters would pound their ceremonial staff on the ground
when making a point
during a lecture or discussion.
"The staff (Danda) is symbolic for the spine supporting the body.
Since man's emergence
for the animal kingdom he has walked erect. The levels of consciousness
are in the spine
where the life force is dominant. The base of the spine [Muladhara Cakra]
is the place
where the Kundalini Energy (Divine Coiled Serpent0 is located.
Khatvanga (Staff with Skull on Top) is symbolic of a pure or empty mind, one
which is free
from preconceived ideas which block the way for new perceptions, particularly
Divine
insight, that is, insight by intuition during meditation, reflection or
quietness. In contrast
to the perconceived ideas stands true knowledge, which is knowing from
personal
experience. Information is often mistaken for knowledge. The skull
is mounted on a
staff (the spine). The Kundalini Energy can then rise in the
Sahasrara. The flow of the
Divine energy through the staff or spine, into the empty skull, the mind free of
preconceived
ideas, is an experience that shakes one's whole foundation."
- Kundalini: Yoga for the West. By Swami Sivananda
Radha. Timeless Books, 1978. p.41
Zen Master Hakuin (1686-1768) painted a Dragon Staff with horsehair whisk
attached.
He would give this painting to his lay students who passed the Zen koan,
"What is the sound of one hand clapping."
"The jo can be used to strike like a sword, sweep like a naginata,
thrust like a spear
(yari). Its two ends can be used, unlike the single point of a sword, and its ma-ai
(fighting distance) can
be varied according to the hand grip you take. Because of its
speed and changeable ma-ai, it is a formidable
weapon."
- Muso Shindo-Ryu Jodo
The Song of the Staff
By Milarepa
"Listen, my dear, inquisitive patron!
Do you know who I am?
I am the Yogi, Milarepa,
Who follows the ascetic way;
I am a yogi, great in strength and perseverance,
Who has no limitation.
The staff in my hand
Grew on a huge rock.
It was cut by a sickle and became
A companion of wild stags.
It came from Nepal, in the South;
From it I hung the Mahayana Sutras;
I take it with me to the marketplace;
It was offered to me by a faithful follower.
This is the story of my walking staff.
If you do not understand my meaning,
Listen then with great care:
The stout end, cut from near the root,
Symbolizes being "cut off" from Samsara.
The thin end, cut from near the top,
Symbolizes the "cutting off of all doubts and confusions.
It is two cubits long and represents
The twin qualities of a Buddhist.
Of good quality and pliant, it is like
The original Mind-Essence - good and sound.
The varnish, of a pleasant brown, is like
The great harmony of the "Original Mind Nature."
Straight and supple, it symbolizes
Unmistaken practice and devotion.
The tiny grooves you see, represent
the Perfection of the Bodhi-Path,
The four joints in the cane
Are the For Infinite Wishes,
The three knots symbolize
the Three Bodies of the Buddha.
It never changes color. This represents
The immutable reality of the Root Principle.
Its head, curved and covered, displays
The "beyond-playwords" nature of reality'
Its white glittering appearance shows
The Dharmakaya - immaculate and pure.
The hollows symbolize the void nature of all beings,
The spots are a symbol of the sole Tig Le.
The scattered black marks indicate
that Tibetan yogis and Repas
Have few disturbing thoughts.
This cane most excellent represents
My devotion and practice in compliance with the Dharma.
Its elegance and loveliness displays
My disciples' sincerity and faith.
The iron ferrrule on the tip conveys
The perseverance of yogis in the hermitage.
The handle, wrapped with copper, represents
the mastery and attraction of Dakinis.
The nail attached to the tip displays
The bravery and diligence of yogis;
The hanging brass ring represents
The increase of inner merits.
The ornament of Sha Bran hanging down
Is the flexible understanding of the yogi.
The thong of two twisted ropes represents
The entering of the Two-in-One Path;
The Mother-and-Son thongs intermingling,
The meeting with the Mother of the Three Bodies.
The bone-ornaments hanging on the staff
Mean many travels for the yogi.
The flint and bellow signify
That all he sees and meets
Are the yogi's friends.
The white shell hanging on the staff
Means that I shall turn the Wheel of Dharma.
The rag of leather symbolizes
The yogi's attitude, without fear or shame.
The mirror hanging on the staff
Is the Enlightenment that shines within.
The sharp knife indicates
That the pain of passions will be cut.
The stone-crystal symbolizes
The purifying of defiled habitual thoughts.
The ivory chain hanging on the staff
Is the Chain-of-Regard between Guru and disciple.
The set of bells symbolizes
My widespread reputation;
The woolen cords of read and white,
That my disciples will be numerous.
The handsome staff that now I hold
Is the means and symbol of the conquest over evil beings.
Patron, you ask me for the meaning of this staff;
This proves you have sincerity and faith.
This present meeting witnesses
Our pure wishes in a former life.
For mankind and Devas, conceivers of all symbols,
I have sung this "Song of the White Staff."
Revere then and appreciate its Dharma teaching.
Dear patron, I hope your practice Dharma
And win happiness supreme."
- Milarepa, "The Song of the
Staff" from
"The Hundred Thousand Songs of Milarepa."
Translated by C. C. Chang, 1962, 1989, Volume One, p. 190-199
"So I took the bright red stick and at the center of the nation's hoop I
thrust it in the earth.
As it touched the earth it leaped mightily in my hand and was a waga chun,
the rustling
tree [cottonwood], very tall and full of leafy branches and of all birds
singing. And beneath
it all the animals were mingling with the people like relatives and making happy
cries.
The women raised their tremolo of joy, and the men shouted all together;
"Here we shall
raise our children, and be as little chickens under the mother sheo's
[prairie hen] wing."
Then I heard the white wind blowing gently through the tree and singing there,
and from the
east the sacred pipe came flying on its eagle wings, and stopped before me there
beneath
the tree, spreading deep peace around it."
- Black Elk Speaks, 1932, p. 29, as told to John G.
Neihardt.
Disclaimer
Warning: Practicing with Staff Weapons Can Be a
Dangerous Activity for Adults
"The most popular Shaolin Kung Fu 'tool' was the staff.
A long stick that had a variety
of uses and purposes. It is a multi-purpose implement that can be used for many
things
other than self defense. A staff is used as a walking stick, to carry loads on
your back,
carry and transport two water buckets, as a lever, tent pole, writing implement
(in the
sand) and many more. This is also the weapon that almost all Chinese martial
arts
consider to be "The Father of all Weapons". It is also highly effective and
recommended
for all martial artists to learn.
There were of course many staff types as there are different woods, people and
ways
of using. But in general most staffed weapons can be but into 5 specific sizes
(general
lengths - all Shaolin weapon dimensions were measured in 'natural' measurements
relating to the user):
Dragon Staff (app 1½ person lengths or 8 to 9 foot)
Shaolin Staff (app 1 person length or 5½ to 6½ foot[also Rat Tail Staff, very
flexible, Bai La Wood])
Carry Staff (app ¾ person length)
Cudgel or Walking Stick (app half person length and very stout)
Flute, Ruler (app fore arm to fore arm and hand length)"
- Chinese Weapons
"The jo was also adapted by Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of aikido, to teach
the principles of aikido.
His use of the weapon is called aikijo. Aikijo resembles
jodo in that both
involve fencing with the jo,
but differs in the nature and purpose of the fencing. Jodo techniques are often
faster and sharper because
angular attacks and defenses are part of its combat orientation. Aikijo
techniques are slower and softer
because circular movements can blend [with] attacks and defenses and reduce the
attitude of conflict.
Inserting and entwining techniques are not found to the same extent in aikijo as
they are in jodo, nor are
the numerous targets of atemi waza. Aikijo does have
jo-taking and
jo-keeping
techniques, but these
are aikido throws in which the jo is incidental to the throw rather than
essential to it. Thus, while aikijo
is more limited than jodo because it has fewer targets and fewer kinds of
movements, it is also much
broader in that its application does not depend on a four-foot staff but on the
fundamenatal
movements of aikido."
- D. Zier and T. Lang Jo, The Japanese Short Staff,
1985.
"The Aikido Jo is a straight,
smooth and round stick of Japanese White-Oak, roughly 5 feet in length and ¾ to
1 inch thick. It is a very versatile weapon, able to be held and used either
end, and able to strike like a sword,
or strike by thrusting the tip to the target. It also has a great defensive
advantage, with its long reach and repertoire
of techniques that flow smoothly from one to the next, in the hands of an
experienced practitioner is also a very
formidable weapon. As with the bokken, jo training is a very important part of
Aikido. Many of the jo movements
are related to empty-hand movements, so study of one helps the other. It teaches
us an extra dimension of
distancing between us and the opponent, and introduces us to the use of hip
movement to create smooth,
easy flowing movement, an inportant ability when faced with multiple attackers.
It is not entirely certain where O-Sensei derived the Aikido stave techniques
from. They are definitely different
from Shindo-Muso Ryu Jo-Jutsu, a style of stave techniques designed to deal
specifically with attacks by a
swordsman. Many of the Jo techniques exhibit a similarity to yari (spear) and
naginata (halberd), which O-Sensei
is known to have studied, Hozoin Ryu Yari-Jutsu being one of them. The Kashima
Shinto Ryu also teaches
jo, naginata and yari techniques, it is possible that Aiki Jo is a construction
of O-Sensei's based upon
these known styles."
- Stick
Training
"Jodo should be done to build one's character. Jodo should
be like a steering wheel. The road is life. There are
all kinds of ways one can go down the road. Use Jodo to steer as straight
a course as possible through life."
-
Sensei Shimizu Takaji
"Aiiki-jo teaches principles and concepts of aikido via the
staff, i.e. extension and showing quite graphically the movement
of circles and spirals in technique. (Jo-dori vs. Tai-jutsu) like Shiho-nage,
kote gaeshi, irimi-nage, can all be expressed
through Jo-nage/dori, one of the best I have seen show this relationship is Andy
Sato head of Aikido World Alliance.
If you ever get the chance to train with him do so. Secondly the 31 count kata
which spawned the Kumi jo was Saito's
attempt to simplify and standarize movements, using sweeps, strikes and tsuki's
that are both similiar to empty hand,
and Ken, the so call Riai of aikido. These Katas that now are used teach the
aforementioned Maai, timing, footwork,
and bear little resemblance to actual empty hand technique, but do teach us
movement principles that are fundamentally the
same. Now contrast that with SMR, which has a totally different organization to
its kata and uses the Jo completly different.
For example, the thrusts done in SMR very different than in Aiki-jo, as well,
most katas, are Ken vs. Jo, secondly the
rhythm of practice is different too. Just like the rhytmn of daito-ryu is very
different than the rhytmn of Aikido practice.
Secondly the stance is different too. SMR is there to teach you combative
principles that in theory are there to provide
you with the tools to be successful in a combative situation, albeit, rare that
I will be attacked by a katana wielding
person when coincidentally I have a Jo. Whereas Aiki-jo is used as a supplement
to my empty handed Aikido. If
I had my choice, I would put more principles of SMR in Aiki-jo than the other
way around."
-
Dan
Hoover, AikiWeb Forum
"Shintō Musō-ryū, or Shindō Musō-ryū,(神道夢想流) most commonly known as
Jodo (杖道), is a
koryu (old
school)
of jojutsu,
teaching the art of handling the Japanese quarterstaff
jo.
The purpose of the art on a purely technical level is.
to teach how to defeat a swordsman in combat using the jo and a vareity of
weapons with emphasize on the proper
distance, timing and concentration.
The art was founded by
samurai
Musō Gonnosuke Katsuyoshi (夢想權之助勝吉) in the early
1600s and,
according to
legend, first put to use in a
duel with
Miyamoto Musashi. The original art created by Muso Gonnosuke has evolved and
been added upon ever since its inception and up to modern times. The art was
successfully brought outside of its original
domain in
Fukuoka and outside of
Japan itself in
the 19th and 20th century. The spreading of Shinto Muso-ryu beyond
Japan was largely the effort of
Shimizu Takaji, considered the 25th Shihanke, and with the assistance
of his own students
who helped spread the art further in the world partially through the cooperation
with the Kendo
community first initiated
by Shimizu Takaji.
The Kihon no Uchi
Tsuki Waza, or basic techniques, are a system of twelve techniques drawn from
the existing jo kata
(with minor modifications from the original kata) and used as a way to better
introduce a new student to
jodo. The kihon
were systemized mainly by Shimizu Takaji at his
Tokyo dojo in his
effort to make jodo more appealing to new students
and easing their introduction to kata training. Shimizu's peer Takayama Kiroku
would bring the kihon techniques back
to Fukuoka where they were formally adopted into Shinto Muso-ryu. Shimizu
Takaji also removed and/or modified
some of the more dangerous techniques and early kata so as not to cause injuries
to newer students. Kihon are trained
both individually tandoku dosa and in pairs sotai dosa, with the
shidachi using the fo and the uchidachi using the sword."
- Shinto Muso-Ryu -
Wikipedia
|
Kihon
|
||
|
# |
Technique |
Description |
|
1 |
Hon-te Uchi |
Normal grip blow. Strike to the head |
|
2 |
Gyaku-te Uchi |
Reverse grip blow. Strike to the temple area of head |
|
3 |
Hiki Otoshi Uchi |
Back blocking blow. Draw back and strike the forearm or elbow area. |
|
4 |
Kaeshi Tsuki |
Switch hand thrust. Thrust to the upper abdomen or sternum. |
|
5 |
Gyaku-te Tsuki |
Reverse grip thrust. Thrust to the throat and strike to the head. |
|
6 |
Maki Otoshi |
Wrapping drop block. Deflect a strike and brush the forearm or elbow area. |
|
7 |
Kuri Tsuke |
Pressing stick to the body. Block the strike and then body trap. |
|
8 |
Kuri Hanashi |
Pushing stick to the body. Block the strike and then force the opponent backwards. |
|
9 |
Tai Atari |
Body Check. Blow/thrust to the abdomen, and then a punch to the nose. |
|
10 |
Tsuki Hasushi Uchi |
Blocking thrust. Deflect a thrust lightly by touching wrist/forearm, change the hand grip on the jo, strike opponent on forearm |
|
11 |
Do-barai Uchi |
Middle body block and counter. Block strike to legs or waist, strike opponent back |
|
12 |
Tai Hasushi-Uchi |
Shifting block and counter. Step back from strike to your head, then strike your opponents lower hand |
|
Kihon References: Kihon Introduction, Shinto Muso Ryu Outline of Kihon, |
||
Disclaimer
Warning: Practicing with Staff Weapons Can Be a
Dangerous Activity for Adults
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