AboutMichael Cummings Expertise I am available to answer your questions in regard to history, philosophy, technique and practice of karate, jujutsu, kenjutsu and iaijutsu. I also have knowledge and experience in Okinawan kobujutsu and traditional Japanese weapons including the jo (short staff) and yari (spear). I also have a good foundation to answer general questions concerning various other Japanese, Okinawan, Korean and Chinese styles, including their traditions, history and philosophy.
Experience I have a diverse background with over 30 years of study and practice in Japanese and Okinawan bujutsu (martial arts). I presently hold licenses/rankings in karatejutsu, iaijutsu, kenjutsu and jujutsu, respectively, as well as Okinawan kobujutsu. My first sensei was Watanabe Tsuyoshi Soke, and later Makiyama Gogen Hanshi.
I have also studied several Chinese systems, including Hung Gar tiger/crane and wing chun, and hold a black sash (shodan) in Song Shan Kempo.
I have been fortunate to have studied and trained with a number of highly qualified and revered practitioners, sensei and sifu from several different martial traditions.
I am also an amateur marital arts historian and student of hoplology.
Education/Credentials Bachelor of Science in Psychology
Black Sash Song Shan Kempo
Chuden/Mokuroku (Karatejutsu/Jujutsu/Kobujutsu)
Tengu-Sho-Oku (Kenjutsu/iaijutsu)
Question I am a Tae Kwon-Do instructor in Texas. I have studied Aikido as well. In both styles (neither of which was extremely traditional) I have had some training with the Bo and the Jo as it is called in Aikido. Can you provide me with either some history or where I can find history as to which martial art these two weapons originate from? I am also interested in the Escrima sticks and their martial history as well.
Thanks
Pete
Answer Pete,
Sorry for the delay, my DSL provider is having 'issues'. Anyway, I don't think there is really a short answer for your question, but I will try to provide you a starting point.
Stick fighting is probably one of the oldest forms of combat in existence. Since the first man picked up that first semi-straight branch and proceeded to whack his adversary, stick fighting has existed. Over the centuries it has evovled into, well, an art. And leave it to the Chinese and Japanese to perfect stick fighting to a fine science.
Stick fighting, or bojutsu in Japanese, has existed in nearly every culture world wide from prehistoric times. In regard to ancient Asain martial arts, the Chinese are probably the most responsible for the early development of stick fighting into specific techniques and styles. Over the centuries, these arts migrated to Japan, Okinawa and Korea. After reaching these countries, further refinement and development occurred.
I don't think either orginated from a particular martial art, but this might be arguing the chicken or the egg debate. There are definitly martial arts that have influenced the development of certain schools of bo- and jojutsu, but I cannot point to any that can lay claim to originating either bojutsu or jojutsu. Even the oldest of Chinese styles make no specific references to this.
In Japan, bojutsu refers to fighting with a long stick, generaly measuring over 4 1/2 feet in length. At one point in recent history, there where well over 350 different styles of bojutsu in Japan. Even with this impressive marital history, Okinawa is still more reknown for bojutsu than Japan.
Jojutsu refers to fighting with a stick approximately 3 to 4 1/2 feet in length. There have been over 70 styles of jojutsu in Japan. The techniques of jojutsu are generally faster or 'ligter' than those of bojutsu, and of the styles I've seen or practiced, the movements are more closely related to kenjutsu.
Jojutsu in regard to aikido is specialized to fit within the later's philosophy and techniques. These distinct methods of jo use are classified as aikijo, and complement one's aikido training.
The methods of fighting with these two sticks are different, of course, although they do share some of the same underlying principles. Along with the more obvious striking and poking applications, the bo and jo can both be used to execute trapping, joint locking and throwing techniques. Both can and have snapped steel blades, and the great Musashi is said to have suffered his only defeat at the hands of a jo expert.
If you're interested in learning more, I suggest adding author and martial artist Dave Lowry's book "Jo: Art of the Japanese Short Staff" to your library. There are also numerous books on bojutsu as well, the most noteworthy are those by Fumio Demura (the title escapes me right now) based on Okinawan kobujutsu (weapons arts) and an interesting book titled "Total Stick Fighting: Shintaido Bojutsu" by Hiroyuki Aoki. The techniques and philosphy covered in these books are very different, and I think study of both can add an extra deminsion to your training.
There are numerous other books and videos available, and I suggest seeking out as many as possible. However, I can probably save you some time and suggest you stick with authors you know or have heard of. Names such as Lowry, Demura, Aoki and Hatsumi are highly respected instructors in their respective arts, and you can count on their efforts being technically and historically accurate. But, if you're like me, you probably have to figure this out for yourself.
