Jodo
Japanese art of the short jo staff (4 ft) — paired kata used historically by samurai to defeat the sword.
👥1 per team🌤indoor
What is Jodo?
Jodo is the Japanese martial art of the jo, a short 128 cm oak staff. It descends from Shinto Muso-ryu, founded by Muso Gonnosuke in the early 17th century after (per legend) he defeated the swordsman Miyamoto Musashi with the shorter weapon. Modern seitei jodo is a set of 12 paired kata practised under the All Japan Kendo Federation.
Quick facts
Category
Combat Sports
Type
Individual
Players
1 per team
Where played
indoor
Country of origin
🇯🇵 Japan
Estimated origin
Early 17th-century Japan (Muso Gonnosuke, Shinto Muso-ryu)
Olympic
No
Popularity
niche
Sources & provenance
Last verified 2026-08-24.verified