Shinto Muso Ryu

Chicago Jodokai is dedicated to the study of Shinto Muso Ryu, a koryu (lit. “old school”) martial art focused on using a staff to defeat an opponent armed with a sword.  Shinto Muso Ryu was founded approximately 400 years ago by Muso Gonnoske.  According to legend, Gonnoske created Shinto Muso Ryu in order to defeat Miyamoto Musashi, the founder of Niten Ichi Ryu. Early in its history, SMR was adopted by the Kuroda clan as a police art.

Training in SMR is entirely through kata.  Kata are pre-arranged sequences of stimuli-reaction pairs designed to build habitual responses to different scenarios.  The kata are also the means by which the art has been passed down from generation to generation over its four century history.  Most of the kata in SMR were created at a time where they could be informed by practical experience and where efficacy mattered.

While each student has their own personal reasons for engaging in the study of SMR, some common motivations include:

• • The goal of learning combat with feudal era weapons is a stimulating physical, mental and intellectual challenge.

  • Training in a 400 year old tradition is a novel means of learning and experiencing Japanese culture.

  • Weapons can be an appealing focus of study due to their being an equalizer over strength, size and age.

The Chicago Jodokai is a study group under the supervision of Dan Meyer.  Our parent group is led by Larry E. Bieri, a fully licensed Menkyo Kaiden in Shinto Muso Ryu.