Welcome to AikiWeb Aikido Information
AikiWeb: The Source for Aikido Information
AikiWeb's principal purpose is to serve the Internet community as a repository and dissemination point for aikido information.

Sections
home
aikido articles
columns

Discussions
forums
aikiblogs

Databases
dojo search
seminars
image gallery
supplies
links directory

Reviews
book reviews
video reviews
dvd reviews
equip. reviews

News
submit
archive

Miscellaneous
newsletter
rss feeds
polls
about

Follow us on



Home > AikiWeb Aikido Forums
Go Back   AikiWeb Aikido Forums > Weapons

Hello and thank you for visiting AikiWeb, the world's most active online Aikido community! This site is home to over 22,000 aikido practitioners from around the world and covers a wide range of aikido topics including techniques, philosophy, history, humor, beginner issues, the marketplace, and more.

If you wish to join in the discussions or use the other advanced features available, you will need to register first. Registration is absolutely free and takes only a few minutes to complete so sign up today!

Reply
 
Thread Tools
Old 01-19-2006, 11:46 PM   #1
neb1979
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 86
Australia
Offline
History of the Jo?

I have just been researching the history of the Jo and have come up with this;

The Jo came from Muso Gonnosuke who was the only person to defeat Miyamoto Musashi. Both of these masters met on a field just outside Edo which is now morden day Tokyo. They dueled for some time then as Gonnosuke went to strike Musashi and his Bo got caught between Musashi's swords. This leaving Gonnosuke no where to go, Musahsi having heard of Gonnosuke's reputation and fame spared his life.

After this duel Gonnosuke spent time trying to find a style that would defeat Musashi's "two sword style" after not being able to he meditated for some time. During this time he had a dream that he believed was from devine guidance. It was to make a staff 4 foot long. Gonnosoke made this shorter staff and called it a JO. he developed a new set of moves and strikes with this new staff.

Word go around about this new weapon and Musashi heard about it and again they were locked in a battle. Musashi couldn't get the better of Gonnosuke and his new Staff. Just when it looked like the battle was about to be a draw Gonnosuke struck down at Musashi with his new staff and clearly defeated Musashi. He also spared his life as Musashi had done before for Gonnosuke.

Does this sound correct? and Does anybody have anything to add or am I totally off track.

Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

Keep training and Keep well
  Reply With Quote
Old 01-20-2006, 08:35 AM   #2
Mark Uttech
Dojo: Yoshin-ji Aikido of Marshall
Location: Wisconsin
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,224
Offline
Re: History of the Jo?

I have heard the same story years ago, so I think you are on the right track. In gassho.
  Reply With Quote
Old 01-20-2006, 09:12 AM   #3
Mark Freeman
Dojo: Dartington
Location: Devon
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,220
United Kingdom
Offline
Re: History of the Jo?

Quote:
Mark Uttech wrote:
I have heard the same story years ago, so I think you are on the right track. In gassho.
Me too, I read it in a book but can't remember which one

Success is having what you want. Happiness is wanting what you have.
  Reply With Quote
Old 01-20-2006, 09:24 AM   #4
akiy
 
akiy's Avatar
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 6,049
Offline
Re: History of the Jo?

I can't vouch for the veracity of the legend, but here's a version from furyu.com:

http://www.furyu.com/archives/issue2/Muso.html

-- Jun

Please help support AikiWeb -- become an AikiWeb Contributing Member!
  Reply With Quote
Old 01-22-2006, 10:46 AM   #5
Amir Krause
Dojo: Shirokan Dojo / Tel Aviv Israel
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 692
Israel
Offline
Re: History of the Jo?

AS far as I know, this is the establishing myth of the Jo M.A.

Is it true or not ?
I don't know, and have not read any thing that could verify it.

Amir
  Reply With Quote
Old 01-22-2006, 11:30 AM   #6
aikigirl10
Dojo: Aikido of Ashland
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 395
United_States
Offline
Re: History of the Jo?

Interesting , i never knew this.
  Reply With Quote
Old 02-07-2006, 12:02 PM   #7
koz
 
koz's Avatar
Dojo: Kaiso Dobun Kenkyukai
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 41
New Zealand
Offline
Re: History of the Jo?

I would hazard a guess that people have been trying to kill and maim each other with bits of wood of various lengths for a few thousand years before Gonnosuke. Or were you referring to the codified style?

True mastery can be gained
by letting things go their own way.

Lao Tzu - Tao Te Ching, Ch48
  Reply With Quote
Old 02-23-2006, 10:54 PM   #8
neb1979
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 86
Australia
Offline
Re: History of the Jo?

Hey Paul,

More the "codified" style.

  Reply With Quote
Old 02-25-2006, 09:07 PM   #9
Mike Sigman
Location: Durango, CO
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,123
United_States
Offline
Re: History of the Jo?

The short staff was known in Asia long, long before that story.

FWIW

Mike
  Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2006, 01:01 AM   #10
Chris Li
 
Chris Li's Avatar
Dojo: Aikido Sangenkai
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii
Join Date: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,313
United_States
Offline
Re: History of the Jo?

Quote:
Mike Sigman wrote:
The short staff was known in Asia long, long before that story.

FWIW

Mike
The short staff from that story was pretty specifically defined.

As far as prior use, the short staff was known since before homo sapiens came around. I mean really, how long have people (and pre-people) and been whacking each other with sticks? Maybe next we can get into a discussion of the origins of Chinese short staff techniques in Africa .

Best,

Chris

  Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2006, 09:10 AM   #11
Mike Sigman
Location: Durango, CO
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,123
United_States
Offline
Re: History of the Jo?

Quote:
Christopher Li wrote:
The short staff from that story was pretty specifically defined.
Hi Chris:

Yes, but the initial post indicates the jo as a "new weapon", based on that story.
Quote:
As far as prior use, the short staff was known since before homo sapiens came around. I mean really, how long have people (and pre-people) and been whacking each other with sticks? Maybe next we can get into a discussion of the origins of Chinese short staff techniques in Africa .
Africa is pretty far, in terms of geography and influence. If it was closer, I would seriously consider looking to China as a potential source for a weapon, given that the preponderance of Japanese weapons seem to have come from China. It would appear that might be something you don't want to consider though, so I'll drop it.

Regards,

Mike
  Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2006, 11:06 AM   #12
SeiserL
 
SeiserL's Avatar
Location: Florida Gulf coast
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 3,902
United_States
Offline
Re: History of the Jo?

You cite the accepted story. While the short stick may be predated in different countries and context prior (I would agree that fighting with sticks of all sizes is a very old world wide phenomena), within the context of Japan and Aikido I believe you are on the well worn path.

Lynn Seiser PhD
Yondan Aikido & FMA/JKD
We do not rise to the level of our expectations, but fall to the level of our training. Train well. KWATZ!
  Reply With Quote
Old 02-28-2006, 12:30 AM   #13
neb1979
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 86
Australia
Offline
Re: History of the Jo?

Hi everyone,

I meant more of the time the "JO" was recognized as a "JO" not a stick so much.

Cheers
  Reply With Quote

Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Omoto-kyo Theology senshincenter Spiritual 80 06-10-2022 08:32 AM
Bokken and Jo questions seank Weapons 19 01-13-2010 09:06 AM
Bokken and jo set from Aikiwood Jennifer Yabut Weapons 13 11-07-2009 12:46 PM
Systema Seminar with Vladimir Vasiliev, Part 1 aikibaka131 Seminars 2 07-22-2003 12:45 PM
Jo was originally a spear or not? Silvio Weapons 24 03-17-2002 06:22 PM


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 02:21 AM.



vBulletin Copyright © 2000-2024 Jelsoft Enterprises Limited
----------
Copyright 1997-2024 AikiWeb and its Authors, All Rights Reserved.
----------
For questions and comments about this website:
Send E-mail
plainlaid-picaresque outchasing-protistan explicantia-altarage seaford-stellionate