Skip to main content

Nagae Kusarigama (Type 4) - An Ill-conceived Theory as the Basis for Jo in Shinto Muso Ryu





The above sequence is the end of the Jodo Kata 'Ranai'.  The Jo having missed and touched the ground, strikes away the sword on the way back up and then strikes the suigetsu from the side.

This is a nice combination but I always wonder how good the final hit can be, given the angle.

I can say one thing for sure - it would be far more convincing if there was a 20cm right angle blade at the end, as is the case with the Nagae Kusarigama.



On observing the use of the Type 4 Kusarigama, being the long handle variant, one cannot help but notice how this weapon encapsulates the features of several weapons in one.  Most obviously, there is the types of Kusarigama, however is also encapsulates the methods of the Jo.

On considering the use of the Jo in Jodo in general and Shinto Muso Ryu in particular, I must confess that in my limited experience I would still have selected the sword over the Jo if given the choice.

On observance of the companion method of Kenjutsu, Kasumi Shinto Ryu, we can see that the methods of the Shinto Muso Ryu Jo are somewhat transferable to the sword - to my mind the idea of the Jo against the sword would be a case of ‘had to’ rather than ‘want to’.

I do however ponder as to if we supplant a Jo with a long handle Kama or long handle Kusarigama we may have something very useful - there is now a great motivator at the end of the weapon.

On Hiki Otoshi the raking action of the weapon would be superb.

If I compare the Jo like use of the Kusarigama in Isshin Ryu, and supplant the longer handle version, the idea of blocking with the chain would become blocking with the shaft, and therefore much more palatable.

So, perhaps some food for thought - an unusual theory whereby the kata of Shinto Muso Ryu are re-examined with the Long handle Kama/Kusarigama in mind.

Obviously there is no historical evidence that this may be the case - it is probably that the Jo is very much a versatile and representative weapon that you could shoe-horn just about anything in there, but a bit of fun none the less.

Popular posts from this blog

Spear (Yari) in Owari Kan Ryu 尾張貫流 (Kudayari & others)

Owari Kan ryū is known for its use of the kuda-yari (tube spear). The e (shaft) is run through a kuda (metal pipe) that’s in the front hand of the practitioner.  Interestingly the school’s students start training by doing shiai (competition) and only after considerable training they learn the school's kata (forms). Most classical schools that practice shiai do so after learning kata. Thrusting using the kuda. Cross-stepping.                           Thrusting attack with kuda. Wide stance.   Shiai. Shiai using a spear with a cross piece. The original demonstration from which these stills were taken is here:

The Structure Of The Shindo Muso Ryu Syllabus

The Shindo Muso Ryu system is well known and well documented since the time of Shimizu Takaji post-Meiji restoration.  As such it is quite easy to get hold of the syllabus information and the following is compiled mainly from Wikipedia entries and other Jodo sources, none of the notes or descriptions are my own.  Note the basics can be seen in the Seitei Jodo post.  Another good source of information can be found here . Twelve basics The twelve basic techniques are used in both Shintō Musō-ryū and in the Seitei jōdō of the All Japan Kendō Federation (Zen Nihon Kendō Renmei, ZNKR, 全日本剣道連盟), although the latter uses a slightly modified version.  1 Honte uchi (本手打 main strike)  2 Gyakute uchi (逆手打 reverse-grip strike)  3 Hikiotoshi uchi (引落打 downward-pulling strike)  4 Kaeshi tsuki (返突 counterthrust)  5 Gyakute tsuki (逆手突 reverse-grip thrust)  6 Maki otoshi (巻落 downward twist)  7 Kuri tsuke (繰付 spin and attach)  8 Kuri hanashi (繰放 spin...

New Practical Jujitsu Page & Videos

 A new page has been added to the site: "Practical Jujitsu". To begin, a number of videos covering the basic parameters and principles of practical Jujitsu will be added, recorded live from the dojo whiteboard. Check it out here .