Jo, Bo & Hanbo

About Our Bo, Jo & Hanbo

The wooden weapons proposed by Seido are manufactured by one of the last four traditionnal workshop in the south of Japan, in the region of Miyakonojo (Kyushu), Horinouchi, Nidome, Matsuzaki and Aramaki (learn more about the workshops on our Artisans Presentation Page).

The Jo measures 4.21 Shaku or 127.6 cm and Bo measures 5 (151.5 cm) or 6 Shaku (181.8 cm) while Hanbo is much shorter, 3 Shaku (90.9 cm). While in Aikido, Jo is the most used, Hanbo is also increasingly used for closer range work such as self defense. All our  Hanbo and Jo are available in red oak (Akagashi), white oak (Shirakashi), Isu no Ki, Sunuke and Tsubaki (camellia Japonica). Bo are available in red and white oak only. You can refer to the page "How to choose your Bokken / Wood" to help you make your choice.

All Bo, Jo and Hanbo can be engraved within our facilities within a few days.
In 2021, with concerns for the workers, all workshops greatly reduced the number of urethane varnished weapons and replaced the finish by a "Candle Wax". Seido is now transitioning to a new finish offer for the majority of its weapons, which consist in a either camellia oil treatment (standard finish) or a camellia oil with extra polishing + bee wax finish (Seido special finish). Until all stocks for varnish weapons run out, varnish finish is still offered on some weapons.