Transitions in Jo Movements

March 20, 1991

Mark J. Norton


Suburi practiced in isolation emphasizes the basic components of the jo. When the staff is used in earnest, especially against a similarly armed opponent, multiple attacks, blocks and faints are more the rule. As such, once the student has some familiarity with Jo suburi moves, transitions should be introduced and practiced.

A transition move is the process of moving from one attack or block to another. Tsuki to an over-head block is one such move, fundamental to many of the Jo kata forms. Tsuki is one of the first strikes taught. The overhead block is also simple and yet, it is surprising how many people have trouble making this simple transition move. I have seen a dozen different ways of trying to accomplish this, often ending in an incorrect block or which begins with a weak attack.

Thus, I isolate the transition moves and teach them separately (as part of the overall program of study). Once thought of in this light, there are a number of transitions to consider: attacks to attacks, attacks to blocks, blocks to blocks. Then there are directional moves: forward to backward, motions to the side, circular motions, ground covering motions, etc.

Here are some transitions to consider:
  1. Tsuki to shomenuchi
  2. Tsuki to leg sweep (gedan gaeshi)
  3. Shomenuchi to tsuki
  4. Shomenuchi to shomen
  5. Shomenuchi to leg sweep
  6. Tsuki to overhead block
  7. Tsuki to leg block
  8. Hasso to tsuki
  9. Hasso to shomen
  10. Hasso to leg sweep
  11. Faint to front, shomen to rear
  12. Faint to front, tsuki to rear
  13. Faint to front, leg sweep to rear
  14. Tsuki to front, tsuki to rear
  15. Tsuki to front, shomenuchi to rear
  16. Shomenuchi to front, tsuki to rear
  17. Shomenuchi to front, leg sweep to rear
  18. [there are many others]