Aikido 13 Jo Kata – brief summary instructions (with kanji)

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The Aikido 13 Jo Kata – Brief instructions for those just needing a quick refresh.

More detailed instructions are also available here

Jū-san no  jō kata 

十三  の  杖  型

START in hidari-hanmi kamae (hidari jō no kamae)

左半身構え  ・  左杖の構え

Hold the jo vertically with your left hand, so that it touches the ground just in front of your left foot

1. Choku tsuki 直突き(Direct Thrust) – in left stance; no step.
2. Jōdan gaeshi 段返し(High counter) – raise jo up to the right to protect your head; no step – and Shōmen uchikomi 正面打ち込み (Stepping strike to the front of the head) – change hands and step forward into right stance.
3. Jōdan gaeshi 上段返し (HIgh counter) – raise jo up to the left to protect your head; at the same time draw left foot back then right foot.
4. Choku tsuki 直突き(Direct Thrust) – step right foot forward into right stance
5. Hassō gaeshi 八相返し(Figure of eight counter) – turn 180° to face the back of the room; push jo down with left hand, let it come up and end up in Hasso no Kamae in left stance
6. Shōmen Uchikomi 正面打ち込み (Stepping strike to the front of the head) – step forward into right stance (still facing the back of the room)
7. Chūdan gaeshi 中段返し (Mid-level counter) – turn 180° to left, back to face front of room again. Tenkan (left foot moves back around 180°) into another right stance.
8. Choku tsuki 直突き (Direct Thrust) – right stance
9. Gedan gaeshi 下段 返し(Low counter) – Thrust back and down the ground on your left side, in right stance
10. Chūdan gaeshi 中段返し (Mid-level Counter) – step forward into left stance
11. Jōdan tsuki 上段突き (High Thrust) – left stance, no step
12. Tsuki kamae 突き  構え– slide both feet back, still in left stance Slightly rotate the front tip of the jo clockwise to parry an incoming thrust.
13. Choku tsuki 直突き(Direct Thrust) – still in left stance

END in hidari-hanmi kamae 左半身構え