Sydney saw the start of the original Shindo Muso Ryu Jo group in Australia in the early 70s, under the direction of senior teacher Paul Maloney. In 1969 he began his study with the late headmaster Shimizu Takaji Sensei. It was the wish of Shimizu Sensei and Donn Draeger Sensei to promote Shindo Muso Ryu Jo worldwide, and Paul was tasked with establishing Jodo in Australia which he did when he retu
rned in 1973. Over the years we have had the great privilege to study under some of the best senior teachers in the world when they have visited Australia for seminars and Gasshuku (training camps). Likewise when visiting overseas, it is always an educational experience for our members. Australian visits in chronological order - Senseis' Kaminoda, Chambers, Nishioka, Relnick & Krieger. Our organization is also a founding member of the International Jodo Federation (IJF), founded by the late Donn Draeger Sensei which hosts international summer camps (Gasshaku) every 3 years in various parts of the world. These have been held in Malaysia, 1979, 1982, 1985, 1991, Switzerland, 1988, Hawaii, 1994, Sydney, 1997, Colombus, Ohio, 2000, Vesc, France in 2003, Brazil in 2006, Matsumoto, Japan in 2009, Broc, Switzerland in 2012 and Malaysia 2015. There are many opportunities to visit with groups internationally. Shindo Muso Ryu Jo is studied across Australia as a classical tradition (Koyru) in several capital cities. A condensed version of 12 kata is practiced by the Kendo Federation members as well.
