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…