Jojutsu

     Jōjutsu (杖術: じょうじゅつ, jōjutsu?, hanbō (半棒, lit. "Half-staff") or Tanbojutsu (たんぼ術 quarter staff) -Tanbojutsu is the art baton fighting for combat. Jos or tanbos are weapons that are often used interchangeably. Jojutsu is a half to quarterstaff used in martial arts often as a close range fast striking or throwing or restraining weapon. Often these weapons were used for double sword training and tantojutsu (短刀術). It is often thought to have been used by farmers to protect against thieves but that does not explain how armies were defeated in many cultures by warriors who used similar weapons Jos or tanbos. Also, the smooth slicing motions and close quarter throws lockups are too close to that of tradition Samurai sword arts to be coincidence.

     Being a weapon that pops in and out of cultures frequently, as well as comes in many forms, it is hard to decide where the origins are. However, what is known is that in the hands of a well-trained practitioner this weapon is devastating as well as deadly tool of defense. The versatile nature of this weapon allows it to flow smoothly through both the striking and throwing arts. The art of jojutsu is one of the most practical weapon arts if not one of the deadliest.  A master of this weapon begins to develop the ability for each hand and weapon to move as though it had its own mind. Also having the ability to incapacitate any attacker with any weapon with very little risk to one’s self.

“No fear, no surprise, no hesitation, no doubt.”

Miyamoto Musashi (1584 - 1645)