Jo, the Japanese Short Staff (Unique Literary Books of the World)

Rating:
Summary: Unusually clear
Review: A bit of a departure from the frequent form of martial arts books that continue to enshroud technique in mysticism, this book breaks things down in a way that reveals the essence of the techniques clearly, and the keys to their performance. Progression of photographs is particularly clear. A brilliant companion to live instruction, which is needed for mastery of any such art. I have found it very useful for students interested in significant progress in this discipline.

Rating:
Summary: Presumptuous
Review: I am often interested in understanding what would cause someone with so little understanding of a subject to write a book about it. It is true that there is little published information available on the aiki-jo system of Morihei Ueshiba, apart from Morihiro Saito's excellent books, but that hardly justifies this rather amateur attempt on the subject. The fact that the aikido weapons systems are not well known has as much to do with people's egotistical unwillingness to concede that they know nothing about the subject and therefore seek out competent instruction as it does with any lack of qualified teachers. I appreciate the need for guide texts on the subject, however this book provides no solution. The techniques are badly performed imitations of correct technique. The authors lack an understanding of application and, therefore, form departs from function. It becomes an exercise in baton twirling. Martial arts technical manuals are seldom useful without access to a competent teacher. This book is worse than many.

Rating:
Summary: An excellent primer for the use of the short staff
Review: Jo, the Japanese Short Staff provides a very good introduction to this art. There is a brief history which illustrates the potential of this misunderstood martial art. The photographs and diagrams are especially good and manage to capture the key points of the basic moves very well. As with any book on the martial arts, it is crucial that anyone truly desiring to learn, find a sympatico sensei and practice, practice, and practice some more. Fran McHugh, Winslow, AZ

Rating:
Summary: One of the best
Review: This is one of the best martial arts books I've seen because I actually learned something from it. The writing is clear and the photographs and foot patterns are easy to follow. It also answered a lot of my questions about why certain moves are done, adn my jo work is better because of it. Some of the moves are different from what I've learned, but it should be good for beginners and advanced students, no matter what style of jo they do