Jo staff

[aefibird]

Yes, mine is red oak. It's a nice hefty solid thing - with was good until I accidently let it slip out of my hand the other day when practicing and it dropped end-first ont my bare feet!! D'oh, I'm so clumsy.

[karate4Christ]

ouch!!! Sounds like a good weapon to beat yourself up with. Can't wait to get one of those myself.

[karate4Christ]

For anyone who is interested, I relized today in class what the difference is in the Japanese and Okinawan systems. In the Japanese system you always keep the same hand grip on your staff. In the Okinawan system,your hands rotate fingers up/fingers down at practically every turn and strike. Get what I'm saying?

[CloudDragon]

Got it, some people find it helps to sand off the finish that comes with the jo or bo staff and use olive oil, I have used it on one staff for about 10 years and have yet to see any cracking or warping.

 

This process makes the staff smooth but not slick, this makes the strikes and blocks much easier to do.

[Sauzin]

For anyone who is interested, I relized today in class what the difference is in the Japanese and Okinawan systems. In the Japanese system you always keep the same hand grip on your staff. In the Okinawan system,your hands rotate fingers up/fingers down at practically every turn and strike. Get what I'm saying?

 

I don't want to step on you're toes here but that generalization is so general it isn't even true. I practice both Okinawan and Aki-jo (Japanese) Jo kata. Both have many hand changes, both have rotations with fingers up and down.

 

If I could offer some generalizations that fit a bit more accurately.

 

In Okinawan Kobudo the jo is not a very common weapon. Most kobudo schools don't offer it. The ones that do have some very interesting strikes and throws that look a bit different then what I've seen with the Aki-jo. In true Okinawan fashion the strikes are overhead and to the side instead of diagonal (like the Aki-jo). They also have a tendency to take much deeper stances. There are some kata's that have a lot of hand changes followed by some rather odd overhead strikes with the lead palm down, but they aren't all that way. One Okinawan jo kata I practice (the first one I learned) has no hand changes at all.

 

The Aki-Jo that I have learned defiantly is different. The techniques greatly resemble that of the Japanese sword. Lots of diagonal strikes and most of the work is done on one end of the Jo. But they have a lot of hand changes, weird ones, where you let go with one hand and flip the jo over to the other side with the other. Parries are done by similarly changing hand positions. And with Aki-jo you get the sense that you are swinging or swaying in and out and from side to side. I'd also have to say there seems to be a lot less grappling work with the Aki-jo (I do realize the irony of this statement).

 

Techniques for the Japanese jo were largely developed vs the Japanese sword. Really a skilled jo practitioner is well matched should his opponent have a katana. He might even have an advantage.

 

It’s good that you’re being exposed to a couple of different ways of using the jo but I would suggest doing a little more research or perhaps consult with your instructor before making such generalizations. I’m sure he could offer further perspective on the differences and origins specific to the kata you are being taught.

[karate4Christ]

I didn't mean to be making untrue generalizations. I am a begginer in MA and this is how it has been in my experience so far. Thanks for your input. I'll try to do some more research on this.

[dtstiachi]

A Jo staff is a shortened bo staff that was used for practicing indoors when a 6' bo was impractical