Exponents begin their study of jo by learning a set of twelve basic techniques (kihon waza), which contain all of the style’s essential movements.

They then proceed through different sets of techniques of stick versus sword(s): omote, chudan, ran-ai, kage, samidare, gohon no midare, and okuden.

A final set, the gokui hiden (also called go muso no jo), consists of techniques that are taught only to exponents who have received a menkyo kaiden, the highest level of license in the system.

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Twelve techniques

Also included in the curriculum of the Shinto Muso-ryu jo are
twelve techniques of swordsmanship called Shinto-ryu kenjutsu.

The first eight techniques are long sword versus long sword, followed by four techniques that are long sword versus short sword. There are four levels of recognition in Shinto Muso-ryu jo. They are:
okuiri-sho, sho-mokuroku, go-mokuroku, and menkyo kaiden.

Menkyo kaiden is the style’s highest level of recognition and these exponents are the only people who are legally qualified to teach and promote exponents of Shinto Muso-ryu jo. In addition to Shinto Muso-ryu jo and Shinto-ryu kenjutsu, a number of separate arts are taught at various points in an exponent’s training.

They are considered assimilated arts, and include
Uchida-ryu tanjojutsu, Ikkaku-ryu juttejutsu, Isshin-ryu kusarigama-jutsu, and Ittatsu-ryu hojojutsu.

*The name can be spelled and pronounced
either "Shinto" or "Shindo." Both are correct.