Shinto Muso-ryu Jo Kata
Encyclopedia
Kata
(forms) is an old way of teaching traditional martial arts
in Japan
. Kata are used in many modern and koryū
martial arts as a way of teaching advanced techniques and maneuvers using a series of scripted movements and actions against an opponent. In many of the older koryū martial arts, kata are at the center of what is taught with little or even no sparring
as compared to more modern martial arts such as kendo
and/or judo
The modern Shintō Musō-ryū
system holds approximately 64 jō
kata divided into several series. All forms are normally taught in sequence. In some SMR dojos, new students begin their kata training by learning one or more kata from the Seitei Jodo
-curriculum due to their relative technical simplicity.
As a comparison, the compact Seitei Jodo created by Shimizu Takaji contains 12 forms. Ten of these kata are drawn from the existing SMR kata with minor modifications, and 2 other kata created specifically for Seitei Jodo. The two specific Seitei jodo are taught in various SMR dojo
s outside the main series of Kata.
As Shinto Musō-ryū has no current single leader, there exists no strict consensus regarding which order the kata should be taught, though the traditional order when applied is Omote, chudan, ran ai, kage, samidare Gohon (not in every dojo), okuden and hiden gokui. The kata-series Gohon no midare was created by Shimizu Takaji in the late 1930s and is not taught by every Dojo.
The number of kata in each series is also not strictly defined by any single organisation. The Chudan series counts twelve kata plus one variant thus pushing the actual number of kata performed to thirteen.
The list of kata series below is mainly from the Shimizu Takaji-line of Shinto Musō-ryū Jodo.
Tsuki Zue (In some dojos) Suigetsu (In some dojos) Shamen (In some dojos)
one of the three lines of SMR of the time. The series contain two kata, both nearly identical in movements but performed
with the long and short sword respectively.
The number of kata in this series are sometimes counted as having five kata plus one variant.
Shimizu Takaji around 1939. Gohon is not part of the traditional system though it is being taught
by most SMR-groups.
Kata
is a Japanese word describing detailed choreographed patterns of movements practised either solo or in pairs. The term form is used for the corresponding concept in non-Japanese martial arts in general....
(forms) is an old way of teaching traditional martial arts
Martial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. Kata are used in many modern and koryū
Koryu
is a Japanese word that is used in association with the ancient Japanese martial arts. This word literally translates as "old school" or "traditional school"...
martial arts as a way of teaching advanced techniques and maneuvers using a series of scripted movements and actions against an opponent. In many of the older koryū martial arts, kata are at the center of what is taught with little or even no sparring
Sparring
Sparring is a form of training common to many martial arts. Although the precise form varies, it is essentially relatively 'free-form' fighting, with enough rules, customs, or agreements to make injuries unlikely...
as compared to more modern martial arts such as kendo
Kendo
, meaning "Way of The Sword", is a modern Japanese martial art of sword-fighting based on traditional Japanese swordsmanship, or kenjutsu.Kendo is a physically and mentally challenging activity that combines strong martial arts values with sport-like physical elements.-Practitioners:Practitioners...
and/or judo
Judo
is a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...
The modern Shintō Musō-ryū
Shinto Muso-ryu
, most commonly known by its practice of jōdō, is a traditional school of the Japanese martial art of jōjutsu, or the art of wielding the short staff . The technical purpose of the art is to learn how to defeat a swordsman in combat using the jō, with an emphasis on proper combative distance,...
system holds approximately 64 jō
Jo
JO, Jo or jo may refer to:*Jō, a ~4-foot-long wooden staff used in some Japanese martial arts*Cho , , also spelled Jo, a common Korean family name*Jo , a 1971 French comedy...
kata divided into several series. All forms are normally taught in sequence. In some SMR dojos, new students begin their kata training by learning one or more kata from the Seitei Jodo
Seitei Jodo
Zen Nihon Kendō Renmei Jōdō, or Seitei Jōdō in short, is a modern form of jōdō created by Japanese martial artist Shimizu Takaji and presented to the All Japan Kendo Federation in 1968.-Seitei Jodo:...
-curriculum due to their relative technical simplicity.
As a comparison, the compact Seitei Jodo created by Shimizu Takaji contains 12 forms. Ten of these kata are drawn from the existing SMR kata with minor modifications, and 2 other kata created specifically for Seitei Jodo. The two specific Seitei jodo are taught in various SMR dojo
Dojo
A is a Japanese term which literally means "place of the way". Initially, dōjōs were adjunct to temples. The term can refer to a formal training place for any of the Japanese do arts but typically it is considered the formal gathering place for students of any Japanese martial arts style to...
s outside the main series of Kata.
As Shinto Musō-ryū has no current single leader, there exists no strict consensus regarding which order the kata should be taught, though the traditional order when applied is Omote, chudan, ran ai, kage, samidare Gohon (not in every dojo), okuden and hiden gokui. The kata-series Gohon no midare was created by Shimizu Takaji in the late 1930s and is not taught by every Dojo.
The number of kata in each series is also not strictly defined by any single organisation. The Chudan series counts twelve kata plus one variant thus pushing the actual number of kata performed to thirteen.
The list of kata series below is mainly from the Shimizu Takaji-line of Shinto Musō-ryū Jodo.
Omote
is the first earliest series of kata taught to new students. The two Seitei Jodo kata are taught in some dojos before Tachi Otoshi, although not always. Tzuki Zue is also sometimes used as a first kata taught to new students.Tsuki Zue (In some dojos) Suigetsu (In some dojos) Shamen (In some dojos)
- – Short sword
Chudan
is the second earliest series of Jo-kata.- – Two variants
- – Two-sword kata
Ran ai
is the third series of Jo-kata, created in the bakumatsu period (1850–1867) inone of the three lines of SMR of the time. The series contain two kata, both nearly identical in movements but performed
with the long and short sword respectively.
- – longsword
- – shortsword
Kage
is the third earliest series of jo-kata. Holds the same names as the omote series. The variants are variously called zen/go or omote/ura- – Two variants
- – Two variants
Samidare / Satsuki Ame
The fourth earliest series of jo-kata.The number of kata in this series are sometimes counted as having five kata plus one variant.
Gohon no midare
A new series of jo-kata created and added to the SMR-system byShimizu Takaji around 1939. Gohon is not part of the traditional system though it is being taught
by most SMR-groups.
Okuden / Shiaikuchi
Fifth earliest series of Jo-kata. Shown in the order taught by Shimizu TakajiHiden Gokui
The sixth and last earliest known series of jo-kata, or secret forms, of the SMR system. After the first kata is taught the student receives a Menkyo scroll. When all five kata have been taught the student is issued a full License of Total Transmission Menkyo Kaiden.See also
- Bujutsu/BudōBudois a Japanese term describing martial arts. In English, it is used almost exclusively in reference to Japanese martial arts.-Etymology:Budō is a compound of the root bu , meaning war or martial; and dō , meaning path or way. Specifically, dō is derived from the Buddhist Sanskrit mārga...
– The "Way of War" or the "Way of the warrior". - DaimyoDaimyois a generic term referring to the powerful territorial lords in pre-modern Japan who ruled most of the country from their vast, hereditary land holdings...
– The aristocratic samurai landowner of feudal Japan. Employed samurai as warriors to expand their domains before and during the Sengoku Jidai period. Lasted until the Meiji restoration and abolishment of the feudal system. - Iaido/IaijutsuIaidois a modern Japanese martial art associated with the smooth, controlled movements of drawing the sword from its scabbard, striking or cutting an opponent, removing blood from the blade, and then replacing the sword in the scabbard...
– Martial Art – The art of drawing the Japanese sword. - KoryuKoryuis a Japanese word that is used in association with the ancient Japanese martial arts. This word literally translates as "old school" or "traditional school"...
– A term used to describe Japanese martial arts created before the 1868 Meiji restoration. Any art created that was created post-1868, such as JudoJudois a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...
, KarateKarateis a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
, AikidoAikidois a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Aikido is often translated as "the Way of unifying life energy" or as "the Way of harmonious spirit." Ueshiba's goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to...
, TaidoTaidoTaidō is a Japanese martial art created in 1965 by Seiken Shukumine . The word taidō means "way of the body." Taidō has its roots in traditional Okinawan Karate...
, are considered to be Gendai BudōGendai Budo, meaning "modern martial way", are modern Japanese martial arts which were established after the Meiji Restoration . Koryū are the opposite: ancient martial arts established before the Meiji Restoration.-Scope and tradition:...
. Karate, although preceding 1868, does not qualify as koryū due to the fact it did not evolve in Japan but on the Ryukyu IslandsRyukyu IslandsThe , also known as the , is a chain of islands in the western Pacific, on the eastern limit of the East China Sea and to the southwest of the island of Kyushu in Japan. From about 1829 until the mid 20th century, they were alternately called Luchu, Loochoo, or Lewchew, akin to the Mandarin...
(modern Okinawa PrefectureOkinawa Prefectureis one of Japan's southern prefectures. It consists of hundreds of the Ryukyu Islands in a chain over long, which extends southwest from Kyūshū to Taiwan. Okinawa's capital, Naha, is located in the southern part of Okinawa Island...
) which did not become a part of Japan until the 17th century. - SamuraiSamuraiis the term for the military nobility of pre-industrial Japan. According to translator William Scott Wilson: "In Chinese, the character 侍 was originally a verb meaning to wait upon or accompany a person in the upper ranks of society, and this is also true of the original term in Japanese, saburau...
– The warrior elite of feudal Japan. The Samurai caste was abolished in the Meiji restoration's aftermath. - Seitei JodoSeitei JodoZen Nihon Kendō Renmei Jōdō, or Seitei Jōdō in short, is a modern form of jōdō created by Japanese martial artist Shimizu Takaji and presented to the All Japan Kendo Federation in 1968.-Seitei Jodo:...
– Modern, compact version of SMR with 12 kata taught in the Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei.