What is Suiejutsu?

Did you know there’s a martial art centered around swimming? 

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to swim in armor?

The Japanese bushi studied suijutsu (水術) or suieijutsu (suiei-jutsu) as one of their martial arts. It’s essentially combative swimming. These antique and sophisticated forms of martial swimming are presently undergoing a resurgence in Japan and videos can be found online.

The Ancient Origins

Long ago, a bushi (“warrior”) met many situations where he might need to cross a body of water, attack an adversary from the water, or protect himself while in water and wearing armor. Centered on the needs of combat, the Japanese advanced several different types of swimming over the generations. For instance, Iwakura Ryu contained assorted traditional bushi swimming skills, including swimming in armor, eating while swimming, even swimming while bound with rope. 

The Specialties of Suieijutsu

Like most other koryu, or “ancient schools,” the various systems of suieijutsu each have their own specialties, which were often influenced by geographical location and clan affiliation:

• Shinden Ryu focused on long distance swimming
• Kankai Ryu concentrated on swimming in the ocean
• Suifu Ryu was directed toward swimming in river rapids
• Kobori Ryu includes much of the above, and it was what the bushi studied to learn to engage an opponent in the water while wearing armor.

Kobori Ryu Today

Kobori Ryu students learned to tread water by moving their legs in a manner a bit similar to an eggbeater. Today, you can see people involved in Western water polo and synchronized swimming do something vaguely reminiscent of this Kobori Ryu technique. The purpose of this water treading skill was to keep a vertical body position, which allowed the bushi to use a sword or gun and even shoot arrows while in a river. 

Kobori Ryu still exists today in Japan, where it is taught on a relatively limited basis. Students are no longer concerned with outdoor warfare, as is the case with most koryu today, and their focus is on using the training to develop their minds and bodies to live well.

Earn Martial Arts Rank Certificates at SMAA

Do you want to learn more about the history of suieijutsu?

Two of the world’s leading experts in suieijutsu are SMAA officials in Japan. By attending the Shudokan Martial Arts Association, you can learn more about the history of this fascinating martial arts style. 

If martial arts are your passion, you can earn prestigious martial arts rank certificates in legitimate, historical Japanese martial arts. To get started, call (734) 729-0330 or contact us here.