A Brief History of ZNKR Jodo
Filed In Unarmed Combat
The Jo is a four–foot stick used as a Japanese martial art weapon, and training in its use is called Jojutsu or Jodo.
The history of Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei (All Japan Kendo Association, or ZNKR) jodo is essentially the history of the Shindo Muso–ryu (SMR). This is in contrast to ZNKR iai, or sword–drawing arts, which developed from several styles (mainly Muso Jikiden Eishin–ryu and Muso Shinden–ryu). ZNKR jodo is almost entirely derived from the Shindo Muso–ryu practice of Shimizu Takaji (1876–1978).
The following history is based largely on “The History of Shindo Muso Ryu Jojutsu” by Matsui Kenji ,with further information from other English language sources listed in the bibliography.