The Founder: Mima Yoichizaemon Kagenobu

Suio Ryu Iai Kenpo was founded by Mima Yoichizaemon Kagenobu (1577-1665) around the year 1600. He was born in the Dewa fiefdom to Mima Saigu, a Shinto priest. He studied Bokuden-ryu swordsmanship, as well as a style of Jo practiced by the yamabushi (ascetic mountain priests).
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As a young man, he studied the Hayashizaki school of iai, traveled throughout Japan to study under different masters and to polish his skills, and learned the Naginata-jutsu of the Buddhist monks from Mount Hiei.

He continued training as a Shinto priest during his journey, meditating nightly and retreating to secluded holy sites deep in the mountains. In the twentieth year of his training, Yoichizaemon was struck with a vision of white gulls floating effortlessly and without conscious thought on the water. He named the style that arose from his revelation the Suio Ryu (water-gull style of swordsmanship).
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The tradition of oral transmission of techniques continues through a single, unbroken lineage of headmasters into the present day.

Masaki Ryu Fukuhara Ha Kusarigama-jutsu

The kusarigama (chain and sickle) of the Masaki Ryu Fukuhara Ha has its roots in the weighted chain techniques developed by Masaki Tarodayu in the 18th Century. His system was handed down through the generations to Fukuhara Shinzaemon, who was also the 9th Soke of Suio Ryu Iai Kenpo. Fukuhara added a remarkably shaped sickle to the weight and chain to produce a new weapon and to found his own tradition. ​Since that time, the Masaki Ryu Fukuhara Ha has been handed down as heiden (conjunctive tradition) with Suio Ryu Iai Kenpo.​ 

Suio Ryu in the 20th Century

The Suio Ryu was introduced into the Katsuse family by the 13th Soke Mizuma Hanbei Kagetsugu. Hanbei was staying at an inn run by the Katsuse family in Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture. The young Katsuse Mitsuyasu caught his eye, and he remarked to Mitsuyasu’s father that his son had great potential as a martial artist. Hanbei spent his entire extended stay teaching Mitsuyasu the techniques of the Suio Ryu until he finally passed over the seals and scrolls of the tradition in 1930, recognizing Katsuse Mitsuyasu as the 14th Soke of the Suio Ryu. 

​Today, the teachings, instruction, and promulgation of the Suio Ryu and its conjunctive systems are overseen by the 15th Generation Soke Katsuse Yoshimitsu Kagehiro, from the Hekiunkan Dojo located in Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. He is also recognized as the 12th Soke of ​Masaki Ryu Fukuhara Ha Kusarigama-jutsu.

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Katsuse-Soke (left) presents Yamazaki Kiyoshi (right) with an official document authorizing the creation of a Suio Ryu shibu in the United States.

Suio Ryu in the United States

The Suio Ryu was brought to the United States in 2002 thanks to the efforts of Yamazaki Kiyoshi (1940-2023). Yamazaki met with Katsuse-Soke and arranged for several of his students to begin training in Suio Ryu directly under Soke's tutelage. On Wednesday, the 24th of March, 2004, Katsuse-Soke officially recognized the American branch of Suio Ryu Iai Kenpo. 

Having its headquarters in Orange County, California, and operating under Katsuse-Soke's direct supervision, the Suio Ryu Iai Kenpo United States Shibu includes official dojos in California, Ohio, and Rhode Island. There are also affiliated locations in Utah and Tennessee.

​Official Suio Ryu shibu are located throughout Japan and the world, including France, Finland, Estonia, Spain, Portugal, Poland, Germany, England, Tahiti, and Hong Kong.

Any individual or organization claiming to teach Suio Ryu, not operating under the direct supervision of the 15th Generation Soke Katsuse Yoshimitsu Kagehiro, has no connection to, membership, authority, or status in the Tradition.

15th Generation Soke
​Katsuse Yoshimitsu Kagehiro

The present day teaching, promulgation, and preservation of Suio Ryu Iai Kenpo is presided over by 15th Generation Soke, Katsuse Yoshimitsu Kagehiro. Katsuse-Soke teaches from the Hekiunkan Dojo in Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. All authorized Suio Ryu shibu (branch dojos) operate under his direct supervision. 

Recognition in Suio Ryu is given in the form of traditional licences, called menjo. From lowest to highest, they are: Shoden, Chuden, Sho Mokuroku, Chu Mokuroku, Dai Mokuroku, and Menkyo Kaiden. Menjo are awarded at the Soke's sole discretion.