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A Historical Continuum of Japanese Long-Weapon Arts: Sojutsu, Jojutsu, and Aiki-jo
Jo 杖 (staff) and yari 槍 (spear) represent some of the most sophisticated long-weapon systems in Japanese martial arts. Among these, Hozoin-ryu Sojutsu 宝蔵院流槍術, Shindo Muso-ryu Jojutsu 神道夢想流杖術, and Aiki-jo stand out for their historical depth, technical refinement, and lasting influence in the history of long-weapon practice. All three remain among the most widely practised long-weapon arts in Japan today. Understanding their origins and relationships provides valuable insight into how Japanese weapon arts evolved from battlefield combat to modern practice. Sojutsu is the classical Japanese art of the spear. Over time, the yari replaced earlier long weapons such as the hoko 矛 and naginata 薙刀, rising to prominence on the…
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Morihiro Saito: Guardian of Ueshiba’s Teachings
Morihiro Saito 斉藤 守弘, a prominent figure in the world of Aikido, was born on March 31, 1928, in Ibaraki Prefecture 茨城県, Japan. He dedicated his life to the study and practice of Aikido, becoming one of the most influential sensei in Aikido history. Saito’s contributions to the art, particularly in preserving the teachings of the founder, Morihei Ueshiba, have left a lasting impact on Aikido practitioners worldwide. Just like many other youngsters, Saito used to admire the great Japanese swordsmen and studied kendo in school. However, weapons were banned following the end of WWII. He then learned Karate and Judo, thinking he would have nothing to fear if he…
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Ueshiba’s Jo in Aikido: Unification of Martial and Spiritual Principles
The history of the jo 杖 in Aikido can be traced back to the founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba, who was known for his extensive martial arts training, including the art of the jo. The origins of the jo in Japanese martial arts can be traced back even further, to the 17th century, when Muso Gonnosuke 夢想權之助, a samurai who was defeated in a duel with the legendary swordsman Miyamoto Musashi 宮本武蔵, developed a new form of martial art that focused on the use of a short staff, which he called Shindo Muso Ryu Jojutsu 神道夢想流杖術. Shindo Muso Ryu Jojutsu 神道夢想流杖術 Over time, jojutsu was also incorporated into other martial…
