Muso Gonnosuke Katsuyoshi

Shindo Muso Ryu, more commonly known as "Shinto Muso Ryu," hereafter referred to as SMR was found by Muso Gonnosuke Katsuyoshi about 400 years ago during Japan's Keicho period (1594 - 1614).

According to "Jodo Kyohan" written by Shihan Shimizu Takaji, the 25th Headmaster of SMR Jojutsu, Muso Gonnosuke received Tenshinshoden Katori-Shinto Ryu Kenjutsu (sword style) Menkyo (full license) and he also studied under Matsumoto Bizennokami, founder of Kashima Shin Ryu Kenjutsu, and mastered its secrets, thus given the completion of the style, "Kashima no Tachi" or “Ichi no Tachi.”  Muso Gonnosuke was a master swordsman.

While staying in Hitachi no Kuni (north of Tokyo) under Yoshikatsu Sakurai's Shinto Ryu Kenjutsu dojo, Gonnosuke became a dojo expert defeating countless notable challengers.  But one day, Gonnosuke had the match of his life with one of all time greatest master swordsman, Miyamoto Musashi (author of "Book of Five Rings") at Banshu Akashi.  During this match, Gonnosuke's bo strike was caught in Jujidome, two bokken or sword block in cross pattern, a mystery technique of Musashi’s Niten-Ichirchi ryu.  He could neither advance nor retreat, locked and unable to move.  Though Gonnosuke was not killed, he was defeated for the very first time.

Birthplace of Jodo, "Kamado Shrine"

Gonnosuke had an errantry, suffering hardships for his defeat against Musashi, he retreated to a cave at the peak of holy Mt Homan (3,000-ft) in Fukuoka to seek spiritual guidance.  Gonnosuke meditated and endured austere training for 37 days at the cave of Muso - Fuchi cave and Kamado Shrine. On the 37th day, Gonnosuke dreamed of receiving a divine vision that a boy instructed him to shorten his 6 - ft bo to a 4 - ft length.  "Hold a round stick and understand the solar plexus.” 「丸木をもって水月を知れ」 "Maruki o motte suigetsu o shire"  He was given 5 techniques known as the "Gokui" during this same dream.  Gonnosuke devoted himself to the conquest of Musashi’s Niten-Ichi Ryu Jujidome with his freshly made oak staff a new weapon of his choice, which originated the art "Jojutsu."

Gonnosuke understood using Jo is like having three types of weapon feature all in one, such as Yari (a spear), Naginata (like Chinese halberd with blade slightly wider) and Tachi (a long sword).  Also, Jo has about a foot in length advantage over the regular length sword (3' 2").  Gonnosuke was ready to challenge Niten-Ichi Ryu Jujidome for the second time, and this he would defeated Musashi with the technique inspired by the divine message.  Hirano Jiro Kuniomi wrote it was tie.  After defeating the famous swordsman Musashi, Gonnosuke also became well known and was invited to serve as the Shinanyaku, weapon headmaster, to Kuroda Clan (Dai daimyo), a powerful lord in Kyushu Island, Fukuoka.  Jojutsu was strictly maintained as an art taught exclusively to the Kuroda Clan.

Back ground on current Jodo

In 1871, samurai era ending by the political system change known as "Meiji Restoration," the restriction of the Jojutsu training was inevitably lifted and the opportunity was granted for SMR masters to introduce the art to public outside of Kuroda Clan in Kyushu, Fukuoka, for the very first time.  Among the first were Kuroda Hanshi; Ryogoro Uchida (he is also the founder of Uchida Ryu Tanjojustu) and Kohachi Takeuchi, they moved to Tokyo and introduced SMR Jojustsu.  Among their notable student was Hakudo Nakayama (a legendary swordmaster and founder of Muso Shinden Ryu Iaido), earned Hanshi in SMR Jodo.

Hakudo Nakayama was also Hanshi in Kendo as well as Iaido, thus he was an extraordinary "San Do Hanshi."  Today, there is still active groups promoting Hakudo Nakayama's off-mainstream SMR Jodo in Kanto Region.  Meanwhile, Shihan Shiraishi Hanjiro Shigeaki (1842-1928), also a Kuroda Hanshi and the 24th SMR Headmaster, remained in Fukuoka to oversee the continuance of SMR tradition.

At later time around 1930, the 25th SMR Headmaster, Shihan Shimizu Takaji Katsuyasu (1896-1978) left home from Fukuoka to devote his greatest effort in popularizing SMR Jojustu in Tokyo again. While in Fukuoka, the 26th Headmaster, Shihan Otofuji Ichizo Katsunori (1899-1998) placed great effort in further succession and development of SMR.  Shihan Otofuji's brother was sent to Hyogo prefecture.

Shihan Shimizu trained several groups in Tokyo including many Judo, Iaido, Kendo and etc instructors at Kodokan Judo Headquarters, Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, Tokyo Fire Deparment and such, as well as students at academic schools, Youth group, police academy and so forth.  This effort was very important for SMR and stamped its root as one of very well respected Japanese budo.  However, ironically this effort also contributed to further division of the SMR Tokyo side, and the SMR Fukuoka (Kyushu) side.

Despite the controversies between the Tokyo side, and the Fukuoka side, few years after passing of Shihan Shimizu, Shihan Otofuji from Fukuoka side became the next SMR Headmaster.  There was also controversies when Shihan Shimizu became the 25th Headmaster.  Unfortunately, controversy is quite common in the martial art community upon headmaster's death or sometimes before, and even when the successor is clearly named.  Most certainly, it may be same for the other cultures as well.  Perhaps all of us that are involved in the art have too much passion for it and its teacher.

The beginning of Beikoku Shudokai

In 1962, Osaka, Japan, Hanshi M. Sakimukai together with Shihan Zenji Shimabukuro (Okinawa Shorin-Ryu Seibukan Karate Do & Special Instructor of the Chintokan Karate Do), began learning Shindo Muso Ryu Jojutsu from Hanshi Asakichi Nakajima; however, on their first visit they were told too young to practice Jojutsu.  Since persistence is minimum talent required to pursuit Budo correctly, they returned and asked him for the permission again, only this time young Sakimukai and Z. Shimabukuro told Hanshi Nakajima that they are both Karate-Do instructors and budo is their profession.  Soke Sakimukai with support from Shihan Zenji Shimabukuro just that same year established the first Chintokan Karate-Do Dojo in Jyuso, Osaka. Hanshi Nakajima smiled and accepted them to be his students, and so introduced Soke Hosho Shiokawa, Shindo Muso Ryu Menkyo Kaiden,  because of their shared Karate-do profession.

Hanshi Asakichi Nakajima (1917-1976), Shindo Muso Ryu Menkyo Kaiden, was a top student of Shihan Shimizu and Shihan Otofuji.  It was at Hanshi Nakajima's Jodo-Bu located in Osaka "Kidotai" Police gym, young M Sakimukai met Soke Hosho Shiokawa, a top student of Hanshi Nakajima, as well as a student of Shihan Shimizu and Shihan Otofuji.  Soke Hosho Shiokawa is the 15th Headmaster of Mugai-Ryu Iai Hyodo and also high rank achiever of several other arts.

At the time, Soke Hosho Shiokawa's presence in the Budo world was already quite impressive.  (Prior to 1962)

• 1953 - Received 5 Dan in Kendo at the first Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei (ZNKR) examination held after WWII.
• 1958 - Received Shihan and 7 Dan in Shito Ryu Karate-do from 2nd Soke Mabuni.
• 1960 - Received ZNKR 5 Dan in both Iai do and Jodo, the highest ZNKR Dan allowed at the time.
• 1961 - Appointed to the 15th Soke of Mugai Ryu Iai Hyodo.

After Hanshi Nakajima passed away, Soke Sakimukai became one of Soke Hosho Shiokawa's representative.  Dojocho T. Sakimukai and Y. Sakimukai began Jodo training in 1982, they were among the first Hanshi M. Sakimukai's Shindo Muso Ryu Jodo students.

• 1982 - The first Beikoku Shudokai Jodo Club was established in the Chintokan Karate-Do Dojo, Delaware.
• 1991 - USA Jodo Federation - Beikoku Shudo Kai Honbu along with Chintokan So Honbu moved to Jacksonville, FL.
• 1992 - Hanshi M. Sakimukai received "Menkyo" from the 26th Headmaster of SMR Jojutsu, Otofuji Ichizo sensei.
• 2006 - Y. Sakimukai received 5 Dan in Shindo Muso Ryu Jojutsu from Soke Hosho Shiokawa.
• 2007 - Y. Sakimukai received Jodo Renshi from Hanshi M. Sakimukai.
• 2008 - Y. Sakimukai officially became the Chief Instructor of USA Jodo Federation

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