We begin our next segment of Who We Are with Weapons.  Master instructor Matt Wooddell’s weapon of choice, the Jo.  Our discussion begins, however,  with the relative lack of focus on weapons training in the Martial Arts in general, with focus mainly on hand-to-hand fighting.  This is mainly due to the practicality.  Plus hand-to-hand training lends itself to fighting with weapons.  But, weapons training sharpens focus and precision principles in your training.  

We speak a little on weapons history, from the spear (considered superior), the sword (traditional), the Jutte (Jitte) (designed to break swords) and, of course, the Jo.  Jo techniques are incorporated into the San Kata (3rd Dan) in Shodokan Aikido, but specific Jo training is called Shinto Muso Ryu and is much more involved.  The origin of Shinto Muso Ryu comes from Muso Gonnosuke (hence the same name) around the 17th century.  Matt tells the tale of the famous duel between Miyamoto Musashi and Muso Gonnosuke.  It’s an enlightening conversation!