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red_fists
26th July 2001, 06:30
Hi.

What is the correct lenght for a Japanese Bo and Jo?

I have heard the following:
8 Shaku, 8.3 Shaku, 180cm, 185cm, 2 inches taller than the person.

For Jo I have heard:
4 foot or 127cm.

Anybody out there can help me out or point me to good sources for reference.

Daniel Lee
26th July 2001, 09:31
This is a stylistic thing - some schools give a specific dimension for the weapon, others use a 'mi no take' or dimensions based on body size: for example, a bo might be a little higher than your head, a jo just below your breast and a hanbo just above your hip.

David T Anderson
26th July 2001, 18:18
Originally posted by red_fists
Hi.

What is the correct lenght for a Japanese Bo and Jo?

I have heard the following:
8 Shaku, 8.3 Shaku, 180cm, 185cm, 2 inches taller than the person.

For Jo I have heard:
4 foot or 127cm.



I'm not sure there is a 'correct' length for any of these. I have heard of bo that were 8 shaku and 6 shaku [rokushakubo], with one shaku being just slightly shorter than one English foot. The bo we use in Aikido class are 6 ft.

The jo should come up as high as your armpit...so it varies with the practitioner's height. The hanbo should be a comfortable walkingstick length.

I wouldn't sweat the exact dimensions...just find what's comfortable for you. Get some nice hardwood dowel at a lumber store and cut it to the length you want.