The Suio Ryu is one of the few extant koryu, or classical systems of Japanese martial arts, encompassing iai (居合, cutting from the draw), jo (杖法, short staff), naginata (薙刀, glaive), wakizashi (脇差, short sword), kenpo (剣法, swordsmanship), and more. Founded around 1600 by Mima Yoichizaemon Kagenobu, the Suio Ryu has been passed down via a single, unbroken lineage of headmasters for fifteen generations into the present day. The current headmaster of the Suio Ryu is 15th Generation Soke, Katsuse Yoshimitsu Kagehiro, who resides and teaches in Shizuoka City, Shizuoka prefecture, Japan.
"The essence of our tradition, and the attainment of an unassailable position, comes from cutting down our opponents while the sword is still in the scabbard, stifling our opponent's actions and achieving victory through not drawing the sword. While engaged in combat, detach yourself from all thoughts of winning or losing, achieve a pure and unfettered mind, and reach unification with the universe."
- Mima Yoichizaemon Kagenobu (1577-1665), Founder of Suio Ryu Iai Kenpo
This is the official website of Suio Ryu Iai Kenpo in the United States, registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization under the name Japanese Cultural Arts Preservation Society (JCAPS), whose mission is to promote the martial art Suio Ryu Iai Kenpo, and in doing so, uphold the spirit of Budo and its ideals.