Suijutsu

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Samurai swimming

noun - Suijutsu (水術 in Japanese) or Suieijutsu is the ancient Japanese martial art of combative swimming. It is described as one of the 18 martial arts, practiced by samurai (bushi).

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Samurai Swimming

While not as widely practiced as swordsmanship, samurai swimming was often a part of the bushi's training. It was natural for the Japanese warrior to develop swimming skills because Japan is surrounded by water where combat took place. Swimming and engaging an opponent in water reached a high level in certain clans of warriors. Depending on the speed, size, and depth of the water that was near a particular clan, different skills were developed. For example, some ryu of suieijutsu featured methods for swimming under water, while others focused on swimming in fast-moving rapids.

Suieijutsu served various purposes, ranging from allowing the bushi to silently sneak up on an enemy, to floating for long periods, to fording strong rivers. Bushi needed to be able to swim while wearing armor, carrying flags, weapons, and banners. They needed to be able to use a bow and arrow while being almost submerged. Some ryu also featured grappling while in the water.

Japanese swimming techniques

Ancient Japanese swimming techniques included shinden ryu (神伝流 or marathon swimming), kankai ryu (灌海流 or ocean swimming), suifu ryu (水風流 or river swimming or rapids swimming), as well as several other methods that were based on the topography and waterways (e.g., coastline or mountain areas). For example, if the samurai had to fight while wearing armor, they would study the kobori ryu where the samurai would eggbeater (tread water) while keeping their upper body above water to fight with swords, fire arrows or guns while in or crossing a river.

Modern History

Suieijutsu is seldom taught in modern-day Japan. Most of its contemporary practitioners are studying it as a means of recreation, as a way of maintaining their health, and as a method of disciplining their minds and bodies. But make no mistake, the small number of suieijutsu teachers that are still extant have not forgotten the martial origins of this rare art form, and they are also preserving it as an important cultural property of Japan.

Iwasaki Hisashi Sensei (or Iwasaki Soke) of Kyoto's Kobori Ryu suiei-jutsu is one of the people responsible for preserving Suieijutsu.

Suijutsu Videos

External links

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