Aiki Jo and Aiki Ken Practice
Weapons are dangerous – they were invented to achieve combat
superiority – to overcome an empty-handed adversary or an adversary
with a weapon. O-Sensei taught jo jutsu only to upper-level black belt
holders because of the offensive nature of the techniques. Individuals who
achieved these ranks would have mature and stable minds. At the
Vicksburg Aikikai, we welcome young adults and adults who show
maturity of thought and interest in self-development, not in fighting or
harming others. In civilian life, a weapon should never be employed except
under extreme, truly life-threatening circumstances where there is
absolutely no other solution (negotiation or fleeing, for example).
The general categories of Aiki jo and Aiki ken practice as taught at the
Vicksburg Aikikai are (not a full list):
Taiso (preparations, warm ups).
Kiso renshu –basic exercises with a jo or bokken; numerous techniques
done according to the particular instructor, typically continuous or aerobic,
and performed by the class in unison.
Suburi – “empty swing” or solo practice with a jo or bokken to focus on
individual techniques, body movement, and basic combinations.
Jo Kata – forms. There are several forms, depending on the school. Most
Aikido schools teach the 31-count and 13-count kata.
At the Vicksburg Aikikai, we practice:
8-count kata (hachi no kata) – kata to learn basic hand changes and
flow.
31-count kata (sanjyu-ichi no kata) – the basic balance and power-
building kata.
13-count kata (jyusan no kata) – teaches several hand changes.
25-count kata (nijyu-go no kata) – an advanced kata with several
flowing movements and pivots.
31-count kata awase (partner practice in matching or blending of
techniques).
10-count kata (toh-jo “ten jo techniques” – a power-building kata with
several quick hand changes and moves not found in other kata; developed
by Kraus Sensei).
35-count kata (sanjyu-go no kata) – adapted from a 22-count kata,
modified to eliminate some techniques redundant with other kata and
replaced with techniques not found in other kata).
20-count kata (nijyu kata) – a kata taught to Master teacher Seiichi
Sugano Sensei in the 1960’s by O Sensei as a wedding present. While
visiting Hombu Dojo in the mid-1970s, Sugano Sensei taught it to Kraus
Sensei.
Awase jo – partner practice – matching or cooperative jo techniques.
1. Tsuki – choku barai.
2. Yokomen uchi – choku barai.
3. Yokomen uchi – yokomen uke.
4. Yokomen uchi – kaeshi barai.
5. Yokomen uchin or honte uchi – honte uchi barai.
6. Yokemen uhci or gyukte uchi – gyakte uchi barai.
7. Yokoashi uchi (gedan) – kaeshi barai.
8. Yokoashi uchi (gedan) – choku barai.
9. Yokomen uchi – kaiten barai.
10. Renzoku Awase 1.
11. Renzoku Awase 2.
Kaeshi jo – “counter” techniques, jo against jo, typically involving one
quick move in response to an attack. There are many kaeshi jo techniques
for various possible attacks.
Kumi jo – partner-practice with jo against jo, a more strict and rigorous
training than awase. There are 10 standard kumi-jo, and then variations.
Jo tai ken awase, 4 techniques of jo against sword.
Jo tai Tanto (or Kodachi)
1. Harai Jo (sweep), 2 techniques.
2. Seme Jo (attack or close in), 2 techniques.
3. Katate Jo (one-handed) 3 techniques.
4. Uke Dome Jo (receive & parry), 2 techniques.
5. Kaiten Jo (rotary), 2 techniques.
6. Kakushi Jo (obscured or hidden), 2 techniques.
Kumi jo ken, 5 techniques of jo against sword.
Kumi ken, 6 techniques of sword against sword.
Jo dori – jo taking – taking the jo from an attacker.
Jo nage – throwing or pinning attackers who grab your jo.
Tanto dori – knife taking, taking a knife from an attacker.
At the Vicksburg Aikikai, many of the kumi jo, kumi ken, and related
techniques have omote forms and ura forms. Omote means “in front,” and
these are the first techniques learned and the forms practiced in more or
less similar manner in many Aikido dojos. Ura means “in back,” and these
are a second group of forms as variations or extensions of the omote
forms, or as new forms. Typically, the ura forms are more complex or
lengthy.
What is a Jo?
A jo is translated as a staff or stick. The standard length is 50-1/4 inches (4-
ft plus), and the diameter ranges from about 15/16 to 17/16 inches.
However, some people practice with a longer jo, a 54-inch length being the
typical maximum. In Japan, jo and bokken (wooden training swords) are
made from white oak or red oak, which has a high-impact strength, yet is
resilient. In the United States, good-quality jo and bokken are sometimes
made from hickory, which has comparable impact strength and resilience
to splintering than oak, but is slightly less dense (slightly lighter). Do not
practice, certainly not with a partner, with a low-quality jo or bokken
because of the extreme danger of snapping or splintering during impact.
In the Japanese language, a bo is a commonly understood word that refers
to any relatively narrow, long, and solid cylindrical object. In a broad
sense, a pencil, rolled up newspaper, curtain rod, and a jo are all bo.
However, in Japanese martial arts, a bo refers a 6-ft long staff that is
normally maneuvered with two hands, and that art is called bo jutsu. In
particular, our Okinawa-style Karate colleagues practice bo jutsu, and bo of
various forms and sizes are used in other arts, both Chinese and
Japanese.
In practical terms, the length of a jo allows you to encompass it with one
hand around each end, whereas a bo is too long to reach at both ends
simultaneously. The ability to circle the ends of a jo with both hands, yet
also employ it with great power with two hands, introduces classes of
techniques that separate it from bo jutsu.
In Aikido, we practice jo jutsu, more specifically Aiki jo jutsu. There are
other schools of jo-jutsu, the most famous being Shindo Muso Ryu (Ryu
means “stream” or “school”). Muso was a great martial artist in 16th
century Japan and developed his techniques to overcome the Japanese
sword, considered the most formidable hand weapon in ancient times.
Muso adopted the word jo to refer to this length of stick. The Japanese riot
police learn Shindo Muso Ryu. If you walk past an embassy in Japan or
other location requiring guards or crowd control, you will see the police
carrying a standard 50-inch jo.
Aiki jo was not developed specifically to overcome the sword. Instead, it is
part of a “Riai” – or rational combinations or relationships of body, stick,
and sword arts of Aikido. Many Aiki jo techniques do not depend on the
length of the stick, so these are adaptable to almost any bo. Aiki jo
techniques typically involve substantial body movement and are applicable
to a wide range of situations. However, the end is self-perfection and not
fighting battles or duels. In most Aikido dojos, the jo and ken are taught as
an extension of empty-hand techniques, giving a new perspective on
timing, speed, leverage, and power.
