European Kendo Federation - since 1969

EKF - since 1969

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Jodo

European Kendo Federation

Jodo - History

The Shindo Muso Ryu Jodo was founded around 400 years ago by one Muso Gonnosuke Katsukichi who was a master swordsman in the line of the Katori Shinto Ryu and was one of the best swordsmen of his time. He became the seventh headmaster of the Katori Shinto Ryu and understood the secrets of the Kashima Shin Ryu (sword techniques). The reason for developing Jodo was the fact that he was defeated in a duel with Miyamoto Musashi.

Muso Gonnosuke (actually Hirano Kempei) combined the most important techniques of Kenjutsu (art of the sword), Sojutsu (art of the spear) and Naginatajutsu (art of the halberd) and incorporated them into techniques with a round stick (Jo) made of Japanese white Oak hardwood. This weapon was 128 cm long with a diameter of 2,4 cm. The strategy and the techniques of the school were very hard to learn and originally it remained a closely guarded secret of one of the founding families.

The practice of Jodo has many advantages. That is why it was decided, under the guidance of the 25th headmaster Takaji Shimizu Sensei in 1968, to make Jodo accessible to more people, not only in Japan but also around the world. In the original system there existed 64 Kata (forms) and 12 Kihon (basic) techniques. From these were taken 12 representative Kata together with the 12 basic techniques to form the individual techniques (Tandoku Dosa) and the paired practice techniques (Sotai Dosa), which are the basis of all practitioners learning.

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