Staffs have been used widely in Asia since the beginning of recorded history, by both monks and common people. The Jo, an evolution of the commonly used staff, is said to have been invented in the 16th century by Muso Gonnusuke Katsuyoshi after defeat in a duel. Suffering defeat whilst using a wooden sword, Muso Gonnusuke was inspired to change weapons to an improvised staff instead, hence, the Jo’s invention. Within Koryu schools of martial arts, the longer Jo staff is wielded as a sword would be, but its simpler construction meant it could be improvised from other wooden materials or objects in any surrounding. Today, the Jo appears as a wooden staff around 4 foot in length and 6 inches in circumference.