A traditional upright-swimming art passed down in Kumamoto
Kobori-ryu Tosui-jutsu
The 2026 edition of Kobori-ryu Tosui-jutsu has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/08/11Ended
- Season / frequency
- The main public viewing date is August 12.
- Area
- Kumamoto Prefecture・Kumamoto City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 50 min–2 h 10 min · flight time only)Prefecture-level estimate to a main station or airport, not the venue. Airport access, check-in and onward travel are extra; remote areas and islands can take much longer.
- Highlights and activities
- Participation / viewing
- Spectators welcome
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
Kobori-ryu Tosui-jutsu is a martial-art swimming style that has been passed down in Kumamoto. Through distinctive techniques such as tachi-yu, in which swimmers move forward while upright underwater, this tradition preserves a swimming culture dating back to the Edo period.
About Kobori-ryu Tosui-jutsu
Kobori-ryu Tosui-jutsu is a swimming training method practiced as a martial art that originated in Kumamoto during the Edo period.
Successive lords of the Higo domain encouraged swimming, and it was considered one of the essential martial arts at the domain school.
The Kobori-ryu Tosui-kai continues to preserve and pass it down today, and it is recognized as an important cultural property handed down in Kumamoto.
Source: 小堀流踏水術 | くまもと伝承芸能情報サイト
Festival highlights
Its most distinctive feature is tachi-yu, in which swimmers move forward while upright underwater.
A range of swimming styles with different purposes and postures have been passed down, including ashi-uchi, taguri-yu, hayanu-ke-yu, underwater swimming, and floating techniques.
Techniques such as swimming upright in armor and performing calligraphy or martial arts while swimming are also presented. The highlight is the way water is handled as a martial art, unlike ordinary competitive swimming.
A traditional upright-swimming art passed down in Kumamoto
What to expect
During demonstrations, distinctive Kobori-ryu swimming styles, including tachi-yu, are shown on the water.
The swimming forms involve different ways of using the body, such as diving underwater, floating, and moving forward while upright.
At the Sen-shisai, members of the Kobori-ryu Tosui-kai and others dedicate the traditional “yu,” offering an opportunity to watch the inherited swimming styles performed.
How to take part
Visitors can watch the event.
Location and access
- Venue and address
The 2026 Senshi-sai was held at the Seiseiko High School pool.
Event venue 熊本県熊本市 2026年の先師祭は済々黌高プールで開かれました
This map uses the venue name. Check the official guide for the event area and entrances.
Dates and season
2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)
The 2026 Senshi-sai was held on August 11.
Kobori-ryū Tōsui-jutsu’s main public demonstration date is listed as August 12 in year-round information, but the 2026 Senshi-sai was reported to be held on August 11.
Accommodation and hotels PR
Showing nearby accommodation.
Prices and availability are current at the time of retrieval. For multi-night stays, only the first night’s price is shown. Confirm the final price and directions to the venue with the booking provider. Select your dates again when using the area search link. Search area: within 3 km of Central Kumamoto Prefecture / Kumamoto City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
水前寺江津湖公園
熊本市にある公園
肥後の里山ギャラリー
熊本県の博物館・美術館のスポットです。
くまもと工芸会館
熊本市南区にある文化施設 (1991 - )
リデル・ライト両女史記念館
熊本市中央区にある博物館
加藤神社
熊本県熊本市の熊本城内にある神社
北岡神社
熊本県熊本市西区にある神社
島田美術館
熊本県熊本市西区島崎にある美術館
水前寺成趣園
熊本市中央区にある大名庭園
熊本国際民藝館
熊本市北区にある博物館
熊本城稲荷神社
熊本県熊本市にある神社
熊本大学五高記念館
熊本県の博物館・美術館のスポットです。
写真：910MoLT at Japanese Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo source ·
熊本大神宮
中央区にある神社
Origins and History of Kobori-ryu Tosui-jutsu
Kobori-ryu Tosui-jutsu was established on the basis of martial-art swimming styles encouraged in the Higo domain.
During the Hoei era, domain samurai Muraoka Itayu mastered the secrets of swimming, and his son, Kobori Chojun, served as an instructor.
In Horeki 6, a swimming manual was published to pass down Itayu’s swimming to future generations. The techniques and teaching methods were subsequently handed down by instructors and students.
Official information
The preservation organization is the Kobori-ryu Tosui-kai.
Kobori-ryu Tosui-jutsu is designated an Important Intangible Cultural Property of Kumamoto Prefecture, and its traditional swimming styles have been passed down to the present day.
Aqua Dome is listed as a main public viewing venue.
Kobori-ryu Tosui-jutsu at a Glance
Kobori-ryu Tosui-jutsu is a cultural property that preserves to this day a martial-art swimming style developed in Kumamoto.
A variety of forms have been passed down, including tachi-yu, in which swimmers move forward while upright, as well as underwater swimming and floating techniques.
You can watch demonstrations of techniques developed through historic swimming manuals and an instructor system at public presentations and dedication ceremonies.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/19
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