Shinto Muso Ryu Jojutsu

神道夢想流丈術

Type of Ryu:        Jojutsu

Date founded:     ca. 1614

Originator:         Muso Gonnosuke Katsuyoshi

Weapons:            Jo, Kusarigama, Jutte, Hojo, Kenjutsu, hanbo

REKISHI

Shinto Muso Ryu Jojutsu was said to have been founded by Muso Gonnosuke Katsuyoshi after having a match with the famous Miyamoto Musashi.  According to history Muso Gonnosuke was reported to have been a student and mastered the techniques of Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu and may have also studied Kashima Shin Ryu.  Legend has it that he fought many strong swordsmen and was never defeated until he faced Musashi.  It is believed that Musashi defeated Muso Gonnosuke with his famous Juji dome ("cross block").  After this match Muso Gonnosuke, like many other budoka, retreated into the mountains and studied diligently until receiving a secret transmission in a dream.  At this time he devised the weapon used today called jo.  The jo is essentially a 4' rounded staff that can be held within the outstretched arms.  He is said to have confronted Musashi a second time which resulted in Muso Gonnosuke being victorious.

Although the name has changed throughout history, the name now has the meaning of "heaven's way".  The last headmaster, Shimizu Takaji, passed away in 1978 without naming a successor.  Today there are several people that have attained Menkyo Kaiden (complete mastery) that still pass on the tradition.  There are approximately four license levels that are still given today.  They are Okuiri (initiate level, "entrance to oku"), shomokuroku (initiate catalog), gomokuroku (rear catalog) and menkyo kaiden (complete mastery).  Only a menkyo kaiden are fully qualified to teach the Ryu.

Throughout history there have been several other Ryu consumed or added to Shinto Muso Ryu Jojutsu.  Below is some brief history about those other Ryu.

Shinto Ryu Kenjutsu  (Sword arts)

Reportedly from one of the oldest kenjutsu schools still extant in Japan known as the Katori Shinto Ryu.  There exists some evidence of some other influences but Muso Gonnosuke's early training was within this ryu so it has been credited with the connection.

Uchida Ryu Tanjojutsu  (Short Stick arts)

Originally formed by Uchida Ryogoro, a exponent of Muso Ryu.  Uchida Ryogoro was apparently accomplished in several different arts.  Among them were Itto Ryu Kenjutsu and Kyushin Ryu Jujutsu.  He is said to have trained constantly to master the skills of a warrior.  The short stick became a popular self defense tool used in Japan in the 1800's so the methods of using it were formalized and included within the ryu.  Sometimes referred as Sutekki (or stick) from the American dress style walking sticks that reached Japan from the West.  The tanjo came in many lengths but was roughly three feet long.

Isshin Ryu Kusarigamajutsu  (Sickle and Chain arts)

It is believed that the Kusari Gama was added very early in the history of the Ryu but is still uncertain.  The original founder may have been a monk by the name of Jion (aka Soma Yoshimoto) or one of his direct students.  It is said that he was an expert of Kenjutsu (sword) and Sojutsu (spear) and later invented the Kusari gama from a revelation.  The Kusarigama was made with special purposes in mind but these are kuden (oral transmission) and only taught to students of the Ryu.

Ikkaku Ryu Juttejutsu  (Hooked truncheon art)

The jutte (literally: ten hands) is roughly made up of an iron bar with a hook on one side and was used as a self defence weapon.  This weapon was also used early on in the history of Shinto Muso Ryu and was added by a one Matsuzaki Kinzaemon.  The tool is used mostly to defend oneself against a swordsman by hooking or striking them into submission.

Ittatsu Ryu Hojojutsu  (Tying and binding arts)

This ryu utilized a length of cord to tie and bind the opponent and is handed down from ancient times.  This ryu was also added by Matsuzaki Kinzaemon, the third headmaster of Shinto Muso Ryu Jojutsu.

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