About Shinto Muso Ryu at Tucson Budo
About Shinto Muso ryu
Shinto Muso-ryu is said to be the oldest style for using a stick (jo) in combat in Japanese weapons systems. It was founded in the early 17th century by Muso Gonnosuke Katsuyoshi, an exponent of Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto-ryu. Shinto Muso-ryu oral tradition maintains that Gonnosuke once fought Miyamoto Musashi, one of the most famous swordsmen of the time, with a staff (bo ) in a training match and was defeated by Musashi’s cross-block (jujidome ) technique.
History of Shinto Muso Ryu
According to legend, Gonnosuke was dissatisfied with this outcome and retired to Mt. Homan, in what is now Fukuoka Prefecture, in Kyushu, where he engaged in a series of religious austerities, all the while contemplating the reasons for his defeat. Finally, he received “divine” inspiration about a new method of using a staff-like weapon, making it shorter (50 1/4″) and thinner (7/8″) for more rapid manipulation. He devised a number of techniques for this new weapon, which he called a stick (jo) (as opposed to staff or bo), that included the use of the thrust (tsuki) of a spear, strike (utsu) of a sword and staff and sweep (harai) of a naginata. Factual documents of the style (ryu) are quite rare. It is said that there is a record at Tsukuba Shrine, in Ibaragi Prefecture, that reports that Gonnosuke was able to defeat Musashi in a rematch. This story is not recorded elsewhere, however, outside fictional novels, and may not be factual.
According to legend, Gonnosuke was dissatisfied with this outcome and retired to Mt. Homan, in what is now Fukuoka Prefecture, in Kyushu, where he engaged in a series of religious austerities, all the while contemplating the reasons for his defeat. Finally, he received “divine” inspiration about a new method of using a staff-like weapon, making it shorter (50 1/4″) and thinner (7/8″) for more rapid manipulation. He devised a number of techniques for this new weapon, which he called a stick (jo) (as opposed to staff or bo), that included the use of the thrust (tsuki) of a spear, strike (utsu) of a sword and staff and sweep (harai) of a naginata. Factual documents of the style (ryu) are quite rare. It is said that there is a record at Tsukuba Shrine, in Ibaragi Prefecture, that reports that Gonnosuke was able to defeat Musashi in a rematch. This story is not recorded elsewhere, however, outside fictional novels, and may not be factual.
Weapons of Shinto Muso-ryu
Other Weapons
Fuzoku Bugei ( 付属武芸 Martial Arts passed down together with…) – In addition to the core skills of Staff and Sword, Shinto Muso Ryu came to incorporate a number of related martial arts that served to enhance the effectiveness of the Kuroda Police of the feudal era. These arts are gradually taught as a student becomes more experienced in the primary skills of this school’s Sword and Staff. Swordsmanship, Short Staff, Ball, Sickle & Chain, and Truncheon.
Shinto Ryu Kenjutsu
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Uchida Ryu Tanjojutsu
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Isshin Ryu Kusarigamajutsu
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Ikkaku Ryu Juttejutsu
We offer a variety of programs to meet the needs of every student, from kids to adults. Our programs include karate, jiu-jitsu, muay thai, and more. Our experienced instructors provide personalized attention and guidance to help each student achieve their goals and reach their full potential.