What Is Jojutsu and How Does It Relate to Jodo?

Jojutsu is the older martial art of fighting with a short staff (jo), while Jodo is the modern, more standardized and spiritually oriented discipline derived from it. If you want practical self-defense technique and historical context, look toward Jojutsu; if you want a structured modern way with forms and graded progression, look toward Jodo. Both use essentially the same weapon, and many dojo teach them side by side.

The short answer

• Jojutsu (杖術) = classical Japanese martial art of the jo, a staff roughly 1.2–1.3 m long. It emphasizes applied technique: strikes, thrusts, blocks, joint locks, and stepping against a sword-wielding opponent.
• Jodo (杖道) = the modern systematized form, most commonly the Shindo Muso Ryu lineage as reorganized into a modern "way" (do). It emphasizes set forms (kata), precision, and character development.
• The two share the same weapon and much of the same technical core. The difference is mainly orientation: jutsu = practical/combat technique, do = modern discipline and self-cultivation.

How they relate

Jojutsu is the parent art. Jodo is a later framing of the same tradition. In practice:

Many schools use the names almost interchangeably, and a dojo teaching "Jodo" is usually transmitting the same Shindo Muso Ryu techniques that a "Jojutsu" school would.

Basic techniques and training content

Training centers on handling the jo against a sword:

• Grip and stance — how to hold the staff and position the body.
• Strikes and thrusts — direct attacks to target areas.
• Blocks and parries — receiving and redirecting a sword cut.
• Joint locks and controls — using the staff to restrain.
• Stepping and distance — managing ma-ai (engagement distance).

Expect a lot of paired practice (jo vs. sword) and repeated kata.

Equipment to start

The core item is the jo itself. Key points:

• Length — traditionally about 1.28 m (roughly 4 shaku 2 sun 1 bu), often matched to your height.
• Material — white oak (shiro kashi) is the traditional choice; hickory is a common, durable alternative.
• Shape — a straight, round staff, typically around 2.4–2.5 cm in diameter.

Beyond the jo, you need comfortable training clothing (a gi or dogi), and many practitioners eventually add a bokken (wooden sword) for the paired sword side of practice. A weapons bag and a display stand are optional storage/display items.

Where to find materials and training resources

SDKsupplies (sdksupplies.netfirms.com) is a martial arts equipment and media catalog that lists Jojutsu and Jodo among its disciplines. Relevant categories on the site include:

• Instructional Materials — Sei Do Kai training manuals and videos, plus free downloadable videos and e-books.
• Wooden Weapons — custom and standardized shiro kashi and hickory weapons, including bokuto and suburito.
• Weapons Bags and Display Stands for storage and display.

Note from the site: prices usually include taxes and shipping within the USA and Canada, they ship worldwide (email to check prices), and they state they do not have a phone. Some shiro kashi items may be restricted for shipping to the U.S. due to tariffs, while Canadian-sourced items like hickory weapons may be affected at a lower rate.

Choosing between them

• Choose Jojutsu if you want classical, combat-oriented technique and historical lineage.
• Choose Jodo if you want a modern, graded path with standardized kata, often alongside Kendo or Iaido.
• In many cases you don't have to choose — the same dojo teaches both, and the weapon and core skills overlap almost entirely.