At Ojika we hold weekly Jodo classes lead by by high-level instructors, suitable for adults of all ages, experience and abilities. Men and women train together, however we only accept under-18s under exceptional circumstances.
The Jo is a short staff, 128 cm in length, used against an opponent with a (wooden) sword. Training in Jodo involves learning techniques through solo and paired practice, and then applying them in set forms (Kata) against the swordsman. At Ojika men and women train in Jodo together, but we only accept under-18s under exceptional circumstances. Jodo tends to be studied alongside another Art (usually Iaido) as knowledge of handling a sword is just as important as the Jo.
The study of Jodo is vast – there are twelve modern ZNKR Kata (All Japan Kendo Federation) which form the backbone of our training and most of our study centres around this set of forms for grading and competition. ZNKR Jodo is drawn from the classical Shinto Muso Ryu school, which comprises over 60 Jo-Sword kata as well as Tanjo (walking stick-sword); Kenjutsu (sword-sword); Jitte (baton & fan-sword); Kasurigama (sickle-sword) and Hojojutsu (rope tying).
A number of Ojika members have represented the UK at international level in Jodo, some gaining medals at European Championship level.
