Togakure Ryu Suiren

Water Training

Suiren are skills used in water and water training. These are methods the Togakure Ryu shinobi had for training, swimming, and fighting in water. When fighting underwater, one of the main obstacles to overcome or avoid is water resistance. To deal with this, the shinobi would practice placing the blade of his sword against the opponent before cutting the opponent with a pulling or pushing motion. In order to punch and kick efficiently, the defender would limit the interval of space between strikes. Not much is known about Togakure Ryu Suiren. These skills are meant to accompany the Suiton no Jutsu of the Gotonpou.

Kaku Shu Koshiki Eiho	All the Traditional Forms of Swimming
Treading Water (Tachi Oyogi)	A shinobi would learn how to tread water using both hands, one hand, and using only his legs. The important point is to keep the entire body relaxed. The legs do a scissor kick motion and the hands are out to the side performing a circular motion. It was preferred, however, not to use the arms at all so that a katana could be drawn. A more advanced kick would be to move the legs in a circular motion.	This was used for fighting with or without weapons while in water. If wearing a katana, the shinobi would tie the saya to the obi to prevent the sword sinking to the bottom.
Overhand Stroke (Nukite)	The shinobi uses a frog kick and a crawling motion with his hands. This looks like a combination of the front stroke and breast stroke.	This was the fastest swimming method used by the Togakure Ryu shinobi, but it was certainly not the quietest. This stroke was useful because the ninja could carry a weapon, such as a tanto, in his mouth and a katana on his back while swimming.
Flat Scissor Legs (Aori Hira Noshi)	This is similar to the side stroke. The following is for swimming on the left side of the body. The left hand moves quickly underneath the body pushing water backwards. The right hand moves under the surface of the water more slowly, dragging the water back with a slow, powerful motion. The leg motion is called the Aori Ashi. The right leg lifts up and kicks back, pushing with the instep of the foot. The left leg kicks back and forth like in a scissor kick.	This swimming style is handed down in the Togakure Ryu. The purpose of this stroke was to swim swiftly and silently.
Restrained Swimming (Hobaku Oyogi)	The shinobi floats on his back and undulates his body like a dolphin to move. In order to get onto shore, the shinobi would have to propel himself onto the shore with force and slide on his back out of the water.	This was taught so that the shinobi could swim even if his hands and body were bound.

 

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