How To Be A Jo Staff Master: Tips And Tricks

[@JohnT.4321]

Great lesson on the jo-staff. Being 65 years old I don't move as fast so it is logical to using whatever helps in self defense with multiple attackers. There will always be an aggressive person with his buddies who what to rob you or just to hurt you for fun. I am not a fan of ground fighting.

[@beerandbanjo]

I'm a very recent amputee (right foot) who also has Scleroderma (auto immune condition that turns skin into scar tissue). I was inspired one day to take up staff arts on my back porch stool. I found your videos and they've been a huge help and inspiration! The staff spinning helps me maintain strength and flexibility (and is super fun as a side effect) So I just wanted to say thank you for investing your time and passion 🙏Always know it's appreciated.😊

[@pasquinilli]

Thank you for your kind note. I do love hearing feedback and it does keep me going in making these videos. Keep training!

[@vonsprague7913]

Your patience is excellent and the clarity of your instruction is first rate. Thank you.

[@pasquinilli]

Thank you Von!! Much appreciated!

[@jackatmac]

Excellent training in all areas of martial arts. My focus is on the Bo/Jo staffs. Great job on this video. I'm a senior having just retired last fall. I have to watch it repeatedly just to get the hand movements down. Please keep up the great work. It is extremely helpful for us beginners. Thank you.

[@Rupertblade]

I live in Italy where we have an old tradition of stick fighting from the shepherds and I appreciate a lot your teachings. I want to add only a small advice how to make a good fighting jo stick: we use not a stick millef from a wooden board but a suiteble hardwood sucker. The reason is that a sucker has a structure llke a series of concentric tubes of lignin that make the stick very resistent to bending and chipping during a stick fighting. Every fruit tree of " rosacae family" is good like but tree, apricoat, apple etc. but also olive tree. In Ireland also rhey have an d tradition of stick fighting with the shillelagh stick ( similar to the jo) made out of blackthorn sprouts dried for a couple of years that are the very best. In Italy we prefer howthorn which is easier to fnd in branches suitible for a good fighting stick with performances like bkackthorn and......fully complimentary!

[@prashantgautam1567]

The way you explain is phenomenal

[@pasquinilli]

Thank you Prashant!

[@magickology]

Love your energy and how you talk simply, direct and motivating! Thanks for your videos

[@pasquinilli]

Thanks for those kind words and thanks for watching!

[@enduroed]

Why would people down vote this video. Love your stuff. Very useful for a frail old man like myself.

[@pasquinilli]

Hahaha. It’s good to have haters. It’s liberating to know that they don’t have to like me, because it means I don’t have to like everyone either.

[@KingTubeAR]

@snafu they can be annoying, but 2 dislikes are nothing when your on youtube

[@bruceingalls7959]

Good video thanks. I like the jo because it's a hiking and self defense staff.

[@spacelinx]

Thanks for these vids using jo and walking cane self defense. I think the jo and hanbo staff lengths make for the most practical self defense carry staffs because they’re more versatile than a bo or long staff, especially in small quarters areas, and they generally draw less attention when walking with one. Plus many of the techniques can be used with a long umbrella like those “golf umbrellas.” Im glad you talk about jo and short staff techniques because as versatile as they are in the real world, no one really seems to talk about them.

[@1ybdevas]

i, am so grateful for these tutorials. if i, could pay i would. I will give back, by extending what I’ve learned here, to others. Thank you, Sensei.

[@pasquinilli]

That’s good enough for me John! Thank you!

[@silentwalk1768]

Started with the Kane moving to the Joe great training love it first time I've done this working out and being flexible makes a big difference much easier to pick up on stuff and practice have to work on the hand spin thanks so much appreciate it

[@nickstevensmartialarts8914]

A lot of great information as usual Mr. Pasquinilli. Great video! Ans I like that you pointed out that flashy spin tricks particularly with a longer bo staff serve a different purpose and are more for conditioning and fun or sometimes choreography depending on what business you’re in. And it’s a real art. But as you said, when it comes to actually fighting and self defense Using staffs sometimes the simplest moves are the best. Strikes and stabs are the way to do in that case. That is something that I sometimes have to explain to people as well. Tricks and spins are awesome in their own right and I love to do them but actual self defense technique with a staff is gonna be a lot more straight to the point. That was just something I was glad to hear you explain to the people.

[@davidhumphrey2316]

Thanks for your time and knowledge.i loved the changing hand grip. Very useful in a bad situation to be flexible.

[@Justablakman]

Great info. Good for preserving your health and your life.

[@studer6884]

Thanks!

[@pasquinilli]

Thank you!!

[@nidantwofifteen8390]

Thank you for putting these videos out, I thoroughly enjoy them as they are packed with great information!

[@FD_Boss]

Hi Sensei Matt. I just retired and was looking for something new. Found your videos and keyed in on the Jo vids. I actually just got back from Home Depot where I bought an ash shovel/rake handle, cut it down to about 53”, cuz that’s where my armpit is and put a rubber cane tip on each end. Great exercise! I felt it in my shoulders, core and even my feet!!! So I will be following this Jo series you made and will continue to study your techniques. Thank you!!!

[@pasquinilli]

That’s awesome. Congratulations on your retirement and on learning something new!

[@charlessparrow5574]

Hi Matt, I just stumbled onto your videos and have learned a lot. I have been practicing aikido with the jo and bokken for about 4 years with a small group in a local park on weekends. I have found that practicing thrusts and strikes on both sides is good for your balance and your brain (uses both sides of the noggin). My sensei also taught me that when making overhead strikes, if you rotate the lead hand so the index finger knuckle is directly over the top of the jo or bokken, it really helps accuracy and the transfer of power. Also, pulling up a little with the back hand accelerates the down stroke and increases force. When practicing with a partner, as we make a thrust or strike (as the defender) we step slightly aside to get off the line of attack. That's easy to incorporate into individual practice. Practicing against a tree or post helps you remember your effective striking distance and how close you need to get to connect. With a partner, we are about 2 jo lengths apart so we joke that it's the Original Social Distancing. I take my jo on walks and often practice the figure 8 spin, really good for loosening up the upper body. My first jo I made from a maple sapling, the second one is a pine curtain rod, and finally I just got one of red oak, a serious weapon that really rings when you hit the other person's jo. My bokken is white oak and very dense.. Do you have bokken videos? Thanks for all the tips and great videos, keep them coming.

[@pasquinilli]

Thank you Charles for your comments and compliments! Your perspective and experience are great too! Thank you for sharing. I have a few bokken videos. I hope to make a new one the weekend! I wish I had some partners to demonstrate how the jo and bo work so well together to teach timing and distance! Loved your social distancing comment! What would you like to see in a bokken video? Thanks again. Keep training!

[@josephshaff5194]

That awesome ! Very useful and practical. I have to pick up a Jo.

[@SoldierDrew]

The only sword duel Miyamoto Musashi fought to a draw was against a jojutsu expert. Indicative of the potential of this humble weapon. Good tutorial.

[@surfingonmars8979]

Musashi fought the founder of Shindo Muso Ryu Jojutsu, Muso Gonosuke, who used a full Bo staff to fight, and lost to the Ni-to-ai (two sword) technique of Musashi. But Musashi let Muso live, and he retreated to a cave at the top of Mt. Homan in Fukuoka - I can say it is lovely cave, having visited it about ten years ago - and meditated for 40 days. He was visited by a spirit who told him, in essence, “shorten your bo, doofus, it is too long and slow,” although I am not sure the spirit actually used the Japanese word for ‘doofus’ - anyway, Muso cut the bo to the length of the Jo, following the instructions of the spirit, and challenged Musashi to another duel. This time, using the faster, more maneuverable jo, Muso whupped Musashi, but also had the courtesy to let him live (remember, this is an era in which single combat was fought to the death, usually). Muso went on to establish a school, sold his services to various lords and, 450 years later, the Tokyo riot police still carry the jo on duty, and still receive instruction from practitioners of the SMR system, some of whom I have trained with. I can attest that the jo, when wielded well, can shatter a sword, disarm the user, smash any bone to dust - I have had a tachi/bokken broken in two in my hands by a well-placed jo - mind you, this is a sound, solid white oak bokken smashed in two with one hit. I know the bokken was in good shape because I maintained it myself. The power of the jo to strike and to disarm is amazing. The system has been assimilated into the Kendo groups of Japan, who practice a limited form of the system. The full, koryu, system is a decades long learning experience……

[@jerrychesley4395]

Great tutorial, thank you sir.

[@Yuki_Ika7]

i can see myself aiming for the face if i do the upper, the solar plexus if it's middle and groin or legs or feet if i aim low (i would not aim for their throat as i do not want them to die by my hands, i prefer peace but in the event someone is attacking me i will use what's around me for defending myself/family/friends)

[@eduardooramaeddie4006]

Thank you

[@mydoggylives]

Got a 4-foot wooden dowel from Home Depot. They didn't have any oak long enough, so I got poplar. Didn't pick up any linseed oil because I have some lemon oil here at the house. How much do I need to oil it? I'm assuming I saturate a small cloth and run over the length of it, but how many times / coats do I need to do? (Edit: Okay... you said it at the end... I hadn't got there yet. 😁 "A thin, light coat once a week")

[@pasquinilli]

Awesome. Haha. Yes. A light coat is good. Tour hands will add a lot of essential oil over time!

[@surfingonmars8979]

Jo should be white oak. Wooden dowels are not suitable. Sand lightly, apply boiled linseed oil. Sand again. Re-oil until the jo is well seasoned. The reason the jo should be of oak is that if it shatters, as a Home Depot dowel will, you can be injured by the shards.

[@richarddsouza4409]

brilliant!

[@teehorton5083]

Do you do the hand position change with a walking cane also?

[@pasquinilli]

You can but not necessary. But try it!

[@curiousgeorge555]

Thanks for the instruction. Do you have vids explaining situational combat with the jo? I.e what if enemy come in low, from the back etc? Also, can you stop a pit bull with the jo? Will they shake it off and keep coming at you?

[@melissathompson9558]

First of all I want to let you know that I really like your videos. I especially like this video because the Jo and nunchaku are my favorite weapons but nobody ever talks about them in a sensible realistic manner. It's always some flashy glittery stuff that really has no place in martial arts (outside of its conditioning a value). Anyway what I wanted to tell you in relation to the fact that you said you were going to sand the Jo today because of its tacky feel: which we know full well is a major detriment to executing the techniques smoothly. Sorry I am so long-winded, but the technique I found best for finishing the Jo was one that I discovered by trial and error (so basically it's my invention) . It's guaranteed and has never failed me and I will tell you why it's so effective. Take some sandpaper about 600 grit and sand the entire Jo.. however while sanding it try your best to leave the sawdust on the Jo instead of blowing it off. Keep it as sandy as you can. The second step is to take a tube of chapstick ( make sure it's a good brand with bees-wax in it) . From one end to the other end of the Jo cover it in chapstick. Then once you have done that start with your hands rubbing the chapstick into the Jo. As you do this what is taking place is the bees-wax and sawdust are mixing together and filling in the Jo and making it so smooth..it feel like glass. It's really good because you are making a putty or spackle and it's made from the Jo material and it protects the wood. Oh yeah after doing the rubbing with your hands take a soft cloth and continue to basically rub the cloth over the wood until you get the feeling you were talking about.. believe me you will know when you are there. Lmk

[@robertrodriguez4858]

Another good video. You know in karate when you fight you need to have 2 or 3 strike combination. Have you or can you make a video on combinations for a fighting training. Thank you Sir.

[@pasquinilli]

Will do. Great idea! Thank you!

[@lecanaldelaforme9489]

tres bien

[@Pilgrimisreal281]

Good stuff

[@tatianamotiwala5056]

DONT TRY AT HOME WITH LIMITED SPACE: after hitting lights, tables, couches, chairs, I finally hit my balls…,gotta stop for today

[@TheEricjfowler]

Do you have a progressive series for the Joe staff?

[@pasquinilli]

I do on paper. I can make a video series for you.

[@RomanticoMiguel]

I must practise ...Every day....of course ...👍💪

[@aleontecristian9260]

hello.is it legal to carry a jo on the street with me?

[@congamike1]

Good content presented well. I took the 'like' off because I don't like so many so many commercials

[@pasquinilli]

Sorry about the commercials. KZbin sets them up like that.

[@mickerdoodle51]

Sir, I see your empty hand is up and ready. What can you do with the empty hand?

[@aleontecristian9260]

If someone tries to stab you. How do you protect urself woth a jo?

[@pasquinilli]

Thrust it into the middle of their body. The face or throat are best. But strike and keep striking until the self defense fight is over. The self defense fight is over when you win.

[@aleontecristian9260]

@@pasquinilli my dad made me 2 pvc batons and used some black shrinkable rubber on them. They look and feel stunning. Is pvc ok for 2 batons? (56 cm each)

[@aleontecristian9260]

hello sir! i am not sure you will reply.BUT i do have a question. can i use bo techniques on a jo stick?i did not find an 170 cm+ stick for a bo. so i got an 130 jo. can i use bo techniques on a jo or nop?

[@pasquinilli]

Yes! For most of them anyway. Some you need a shorter staff. Can you cut your Bo, or do you want to use it for both a bo and a jo?

[@aleontecristian9260]

@@pasquinilli i have a jo(130 cm).but can i use it as a bo, and a jo?

[@pasquinilli]

Yes. That will work!

[@aleontecristian9260]

@@pasquinilli i am pretty short. i am 1.58 m at 14,would an 140 cm be a good lenght for a jo? (130 is kinda neck level)

[@pasquinilli]

Yes that’s tall but will still work for both.

[@subashini4617]

Friends kindly share the sir number

[@utwoscot]

This guy has implemented a lot of his own techniques that depart from the teachings in fundamental ways. He ignores feet position which is where power comes from. Those between the fingers handling techniques are just silly and again not found in any of the Katas, nor is the change from palms facing, to palms away .

[@pasquinilli]

Hahaha. Yes. I make up my own kata too! Don’t tell the supreme grandmasters.

[@vasilebraileanu26]

@@pasquinilli As you would say in the above comment but you didn't say it, some katas are only for show but they are good for practice. A heavy Jo staff worths the respect it desired. Thank you very much for showing us your truly believes, sincerity and experience, that cannot be measured.

[@sungtube7055]

Too many commercials

[@pasquinilli]

Yes. They do have a lot on youtube

[@surfingonmars8979]

Using a jo in that initial segment - the one-handed spinning - is absolutely absurd. No power, no control - simply will not work. Laughably ineffective.

[@pasquinilli]

I’m glad I made you laugh Bill! Keep laughing. 😂

[@surfingonmars8979]

Having trained in Shindo Muso Ryu Jojutsu for decades - here in the US and in Japan - under the tutelage of the best jo practitioners in the world, I can confidently tell you that a single handed twirling of the jo in actual combat would be worthless. An attack by a sword, stick or other weapon would stop the jo in its tracks when wielded like that. Sorry to be brutally honest, but “I calls ‘em as I sees ‘em.”

[@pasquinilli]

I wasn’t disagreeing with you. Haha. Just honestly glad I made you laugh.