Originally founded by Muso Gonnosuke Katsuyoshi, Shinto Muso-ryu encompasses a comprehensive study of jojutsu (staff), kenjutsu (sword), tanjojutsu (cane), jittejutsu (truncheon) and hojojutsu (arresting cord), and was practiced in the Kuroda domain until first being popularised in Tokyo by Shimizu Takaji-sensei in the 1920s and 30s.

Paul Maloney-sensei started his study of Jo in Japan under the guidance of the late Shimizu-sensei and Donn Draeger-sensei in the 1960s and 70s. Returning to Australia,  Shimazu Sensei and Draeger Sensei’s wish for the promotion of Shindo Muso Ryu Jodo has been carried out by the Australian Jodokai, the Australian branch of the International Jodo Federation, founded by Draeger Sensei and now lead by Phil Relnick Sensei. Today, several groups practice Jodo as a classical tradition around Australia in NSW, VIC, QLD, SA and WA. For further details, please visit the Jodokai Australia website.