Shinto Muso-ryu Jodo
"Aijo-kai" Nagoya Dojo – Accepting New Members!

Introduction to Shinto Muso-ryu Jodo
Overview

Shinto Muso-ryu Jodo is a traditional Japanese martial art focused
on using a Jo—a wooden staff about 128 cm (4 feet) long.

Unlike sharp swords, the staff is a weapon of peace and self-defense.
The core philosophy of Jodo is "not to injure the opponent,
but to control them.

"In training, practitioners practice structured forms called Kata.
One person uses a wooden sword (Bokken) to attack,
and the other uses the staff (Jo) to defend and neutralize the attack.
It is highly valued for developing discipline, focus,
and perfect physical coordination.

Key Philosophy:
Defeat the opponent without causing lethal harm.

Main Weapon:
A simple wooden staff (Jo), effective against the Japanese sword.

History

Left: Master Muso Gonnosuke (Founder) / Right: Miyamoto Musashi

The art was founded in the early 1600s (the beginning of the Edo period) by a samurai warrior named Muso Gonnosuke.

According to legend, Gonnosuke was a master of the long staff (Bo).
He once fought a duel with Miyamoto Musashi, Japan’s most famous swordsman, and lost.

Determined to overcome his defeat, Gonnosuke retreated to a mountain to meditate and train.
During this time, he received a divine vision: "Know the solar plexus with a round stick."

Inspired by this insight, he designed a new weapon:
1,He shortened the staff from 180 cm to 128 cm for faster movement.
2,He combined the techniques of spears, naginata (halberds), and swords into one system.

With this new weapon and style, Gonnosuke fought Musashi again. This time,
he managed to defeat Musashi’s famous two-sword technique without hurting him.
This victory marks the birth of Shinto Muso-ryu.

For centuries, this martial art was kept as a secret treasure by the Kuroda clan in Fukuoka.
It was finally opened to the general public in the 20th century, and today it is practiced by martial artists all over the world.

International Members Welcome!

We warmly welcome international students to join our Dojo.
Please note that all instructions and classes are conducted in Japanese only. This is a great opportunity to immerse yourself in traditional
Japanese culture and practice your Japanese language skills through
martialarts!

Language requirement:
Conversational Japanese / Instruction is in Japanese only.

Note:
No English support is available during training.


Important Notes for Joining 
・Respect for Japanese Culture & Budo Etiquette:
　All students must respect traditional Japanese culture,
　Dojo manners, and martial arts etiquette (Reiho).

・Strictly No Self-Defense for Violence / Malicious Intent:
　Martial arts training is for self-discipline, not for fighting or showing off.

・Follow the Instructors:
　For safety and proper learning, you must strictly follow the directions
　of the instructors.



Jodo Training

Jodo training is structured, safe, and focuses on practicing preset patterns called Kata. There is no free-sparring (kumite) with full contact, making it suitable for all ages and fitness levels.
Main Components of Training
・Reiho (Etiquette & Bowing) / 礼法
　Learning the traditional manners and respect required inside the Dojo.

・Tandoku Dosa (Solo Drills) / 単独動作
　Practicing the basic movements and striking techniques
　with the Jo (staff) by yourself.

・Sotai Dosa (Partner Drills) / 相対動作
　Practicing basic techniques with a partner to learn correct distance,
　timing, and accuracy.

・Kata Practice (Forms) / 型稽古
　The core of Shinto Muso-ryu. One person plays the role of the swordsman 　(Uchitachi) using a wooden sword, and the other plays the defender 　(Shitachi) using the Jo. You will learn how to neutralize sword attacks
　safely and effectively.
Fees

Enrollment Fee: Free
Monthly Membership Fee: ¥4,000

Additional fees may apply for special activities, such as rank or license examinations, public demonstrations, and training seminars.

Participation in these activities is completely optional.
There is no obligation to attend.

Beginners are welcome.
You can enjoy regular practice without participating in these additional events.

Training Schedule & Venue

Venue: Tsuyuhashi Sports Center
Address:
2-14-1 Tsuyuhashi, Nakagawa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi
Day & Time:
Every Saturday, 18:30 – 20:30
　　　　　　(6:30 PM – 8:30 PM)

Holidays:
No practice if Saturday is a national holiday or during special events.
Subject:
Temporary Training Location for September and October 2026 During the Aichi-Nagoya Asian & Asian Para Games
Due to the upcoming Aichi-Nagoya Asian and Asian Para Games starting in September, Tsuryumai Sports Center will be unavailable for use. Therefore, our training sessions will be held at an alternative location during the event.
Once the games conclude and the sports center reopens, we will return to Tsuryumai Sports Center for our regular training sessions.
For the month of September, our training will take place at the Marubun Bunka Center in Horita.

About Training Equipment 

After joining the Dojo, members are required to purchase their own training equipment, which includes:

・Jo (Wooden staff)
・Bokutou(Two wooden swords: one long and one short)
・Dogi (Training uniform)

High-quality equipment, including the staff and wooden swords,
is essential for improving your skills. Therefore, we highly recommend consulting with the instructors after joining before making any purchases.

If you do not have any of these items yet,
please do not worry—we will gladly guide you and help you choose
the right equipment

Inquire Here for Visitors & Trial Lessons

If you would like to visit or experience a trial lesson,
please contact us using the inquiry form below.
Contact Form