Maryland Jodo
Frederick Dojo

General Information

Maryland Jodo Frederick Dojo History: The Maryland Jodo Society started as a Frederick County Parks and Recreation class in April of 1998. The group was started by Joe Cieslik who trained for 15 years under Quintin Chambers Sensei in Hawaii. Chambers Sensei trained with Shimizu Sensei in Japan in the early 1960's. Since 2000 Joe Cieslik resides in Mitchell IN and the class is currently run by Dan Soares. Dan Soares studied Jodo since 1991 under Nishioka Sensei in Tokyo, Japan and continued with Joe Cieslik upon his return to the US in 1997. The class remains a Frederick County Parks and Recreation class with a minimal fee each term. Instructors receive no compensation. All serious visitors are welcome.

If interested please contact Dan Soares at dan@dansoares.com or cell phone 703-675-1796. Only serious students please.

Other Jo-do in Maryland: David Pitard teaches in Baltimore Maryland the same style promoted by Nishioka Sensei and Phil Relnick Sensei in the US today. There are other individuals who teach a different form of Jodo in Maryland. They are Rick Polland in Severna MD, Bill Dvorine in Baltimore Maryland (Baltimore Judo Club), and Dave Hall in Bethesda MD. This information is not intended as an endorsement or a critique or comprehensive list. Serious students should investigate all possibilities and make the best informed choice for themselves.

Class Information and Directions

The Maryland Jodo Society offers classes through the Frederick County Parks and Recreation. Class times and registration are available at http://www.co.frederick.md.us/index.asp?NID=25

Tuesday night training:
Current Session: Every Tuesday evening 7-9PM.
The Spring Session will begin April 1, 2008 and will continue for 8 weeks. Classes on 4/22 and 4/29 are cancelled due to a previously scheduled school event. Once the Spring session is complete, there will be no summer classes but the fall session will begin in September.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions for the Parks and Rec class and Jodo in general can be found here.
Location: Oakdale Middle School

Fredrick County Supervisor: Andy Lett, 301-694-1646.
Snow emergency number is 301-600-6291 to see if classes are cancelled

Equipment and Resources:
Jodo Stick: 50 1/4 in. long, 15/16 in diameter
Traditional white oak weapons can be bought in Baltimore at Kiyota Co Inc at 2326 N Charles St Baltimore, MD 21218 tel:410 - 366 - 8275. Please call to confirm hours. Recommended online shop is http://www.kingfisherwoodworks.com/

Recommended Readings for Koryu (Classical Japanese Martial Arts):

Recommended Readings on Koryu Books web site: click here.
Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts by Donn F. Draeger and Robert W. Smith
Martial Arts & Ways of Japan series (3 vols.) by Donn F. Draeger: Classical Bujutsu; Classical Budo; Modern Bujutsu and Budo
Classical Warrior Traditions of Japan series (3 vols.) edited by Diane Skoss: Koryu Bujutsu; Sword & Spirit; Keiko Shokon
Sword and Brush: the Spirit of the Martial Arts by Dave Lowry

Recommended Readings for Jodo:

Start with these links to articles on the web on the Maryland Jodo Society Home page.
Jodo the Way of the Stick by Pascal Krieger is the only recommended reference for this style of Jodo. It is out of print for 3 years but an author sanctioned scanned copy is available on line at http://www.ecoledubudo.com/krieger/index.htm

Directions

Directions to Oakdale Middle School:
If you are using Map quest input "9850 Old National Pike, Ijamsville, MD 21754".

From Frederick
Take MD 144 East from Frederick.
Follow MD 144 underneath Rt. 70
      -To go under Rt. 70 and continue on 144, turn left onto Old National Pike. If
        continue straight, merge onto Rt. 70.
Bear right after go under Rt. 70 onto Old National Pike.
At the top of the hill make a left turn into Oakdale school complex entrance. There are two schools: the middle school is closest to the road. The elementary school is in the back.

From 495 or 270
Take 495 N to Rockville
Take 270 N to Frederick, MD
Take Exit 32 onto Rt. 70E (This is a new exit as of 1/02 and is after the Market St. Exit off of 270)
Take Exit 56 Patrick Street, MD 144.
Turn left at end of ramp.
         -At the end of the ramp is a sign for Old National Pike that points to the left
Follow Directions above.

Directions from Herndon VA:
Go 5 miles on Rt. 28 from the Dulles Access Rd
Rt. 28 turns into Rt. 7 West
Go 7 miles to the 15 N (Frederick MD) exit for 22 miles
When you exit off Rt. 7. get immediately into the left hand lane to stay on Rt. 15N
Continue on 15 N 2.5 miles and 15N merges onto a two lane country road
Keep on 15 N and you will pass through Luckett's and after a wooded lane cross over the Potomac River into Maryland and Point of Rocks.
15N eventually merges into 340W and is called 15N/340W
Take Exit 10 for 70E to Baltimore/Washington
Stay in the left lane as come off 15 onto 70 to continue on 70E
Take Exit 56 Patrick Street, MD 144. Turn left at end of ramp.
-At the end of the ramp is a sign for Old National Pike that points to the left
Follow Directions above.