A Guide to Katsushika Jodokai（Jodo Dojo in Tokyo）

Welcome to our web page. We are a Jodo（杖道） club affiliated to the Tokyo Metropolitan Kendo Federation. If you are interested in learning Jodo, regardless of whether or not you live in the Katsushika City area, you will be welcome.

WHAT IS JODO?

Jodo means "the way of the Jo", and is one of the traditional Japanese martial arts. The Jo is a short wooden staff measuring 0.9 to 1.5 m (3 to 5 feet) long. The art was created by Muso Gonnosuke（夢想権之助） some 400 years ago. It is said that Gonnosuke used it in defeating the great swordsman Miyamoto Musashi（宮本武蔵）.

Today, Jodo is a practical and strong method of combat. But Jodo is more than just a way to fight. Jodo can help gain an understanding of traditional Japanese culture. Practicing Jodo both trains the mind and exercises the body. And it teaches how to develop a good relationship with other people.

ABOUT JOINING US

No previous sports activity is necessary and if you enjoy reasonably normal health then there is no limit to age. On joining you will not need any equipment or uniform. After joining and over time you can purchase your own as needed.

If they are easy to move in, any clothes are fine. Please bring something to drink during training (water, sports drink, tea, etc).

However, don't forget the dojo rule.

• 1. Remember courtesies of the dojo at all times. Follow instructions of the dojo leader.

  2. Always be careful. Budo can be extremely dangerous if not practiced correctly.

  3. Work together with willingness. For example, the cleaning of the dojo.

  4. We begin cleaning about 20 minutes before training.

You do not need to be fluent in Japanese but since all instruction is conducted in Japanese some understanding of everyday conversation will be necessary.

We do not charge a club membership fee. However, after getting 1-kyu rank, as a small token of appreciation, please pay 100 yen before the start of each training session. You will have to pay an annual fee for membership of the All Japan Kendo Federation.

The club is not covered by insurance against sports injuries. Please take every precaution to avoid accidents and injury. While training you agree to do so at your own risk. We recommend that you take out a personal insurance policy against sports injuries.

PRACTICE TIME AND LOCATION

Practice is held on Monday evenings (19:00-20:30. Caution! Please don't enter into school area before 19:00). There will be occasions when practice is not held so please check the training schedule here in advance. Prior to the practice we sweep the training hall.

The location is the Tokkatsushitsu (Special Activities Room) of Kameari Junior High School (address: 1-23-1, Kameari, Katsushika-City, Tokyo).

CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENTS

Training is carried out wearing the same uniform as for kendo. The color can be black, white, or dark blue but both the uwagi (jacket) and hakama (trousers) must be of the same color.

When entering a competition or taking a grading, it is also necessary to wear an obi (a sash worn under the hakama) and a name tag.

The Standard of equipment is as follows:

Jo (杖, staff)

• • length: 128cm

  • diameter: 2.4cm

  • material: oak (白樫, Japanese white oak, Shiro-Kashi)

Ken (剣, Bokuto, wooden sword)

• • total length: 101.5cm

  • length of grab: 24.2cm

  • curvature: 1.5cm

  • material: oak (白樫, Japanese white oak, Shiro-Kashi)

  • material of guard: hide