Some time back on the YouTube, FightWrite featured Jo Kata 13 as an intro to bo and jo staff basics. Well, recently, writer Arysta Henry reached out to me and asked to post something about quarterstaffs. I mentioned that I had a jo kata on the channel but then realized it might need a little commentary. If you don’t really know what you are looking at, 
it’s hard sometimes to get information from it. So, in this video I break down jo kata 13.
But, first, Arysta asked specifically about quarterstaffs. A quarter staff is a long wooden staff that measure between 6-9 feet. If you have ever heard of a bo staff – think Morgan on The Walking Dead – the quarterstaff is basically its European cousin. And while a jo staff is shorter than both, the handling concepts are similar.
To give you a little more reference, I have a video here that isn’t on YouTube just yet. This is a short clip with bo and jo staff basics recorded just for FightWrite™ by fellow fighter and IG pal @hel_371. This lady is great reference for you writers who have blades in your work. If you are on “the ‘Gram,” give her a look. And, thank you so much for this video @hel_371. I grant you the title of honorary Texan!
I love this video for a couple reasons. One, she goes through the movements slow enough that we viewers can practice. She shows hand placement and tells us when it is best to move. Do you have to wait for the horizontal strike to move? No. She is showing basics for beginners. On that note, do you have to know how to wield a staff to write a quarterstaff/bo/jo staff scene? No. You really can write about things with which you don’t have experience. Pretty sure Stephen King has never dressed up like a clown and hung out in the sewers and Tolkien had never been to Middle Earth. Of course, I could be wrong.
However, whenever we as writers have the opportunity to learn anything that will give greater authenticity to our work, we should jump on it. So, if you have staffs in your work, grab a pole and give these moves a whack. It will help you get a literal feel for the movements, how the body shifts with the staff and will give you a better idea of what strikes work together.
The second thing I like about the video is that it is by a woman. I am often asked how women fight to which I always reply, “like a fighter.” Folks, trained fighters are trained fighters. BUT, if you don’t believe me, here is a female fighting reference for you.
Here we go…
Now for the breakdown of jo kata 13…
Ok FightWriters, there ya have it. A few basics for staff work. Hopefully there will be more to come. If you have anything that you would like see on video, reach out to me Twitter @CarlaHoch or email me through the contact form on the blog or comment below. I think I have comments on… If I don’t it’s because I’m still dealing with spam comments. NO, I do not need help with my erections!!! STOP sending me erectile disfunction info. Yeesh. It’s making me wonder if I really do have ED and just don’t know it!
And, on that note, until the next round on FightWrite™, get blood on your pages!
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