Sui-ren is the ancient martial art form of ninja involving water. Ninjas were taught to disguise themselves in water, combat opponents in water, and ultimately to use water as an ally against any and all enemies.

There are five distinct categories of how water was used by ninjas. The ninja used special boats called hasami bune that were shaped like tennis rackets. They were specifically designed to cross rivers that could not be jumped.

Water was also used as a strategic weapon by ninja. Attacking enemy forces included destroying an individual or community’s access to water resources. Contaminating water or withholding water resources from captives was a method of combat for the ninja.

Using water as a weapon in this way does not involve direct combat or threat to the ninja. In fact, polluting a water source that supplies a local village with water for crops and daily needs could do more damage than direct combat, while not directly endangering the ninja. In essence, it was an ancient form of eco-terrorism.

Interestingly, ninjas used reeds as breathing tools that allowed them to stay below the water for extended periods of time. Sophisticated equipment such as oxygen and breathing tanks would actually be too cumbersome for the ninja. In order to fight battles in the water, the ninja would have to be nimble and unrestrained by weighty equipment.

These long reeds doubled as weapons from which ninjas could launch darts. A ninja could hide beneath the surface of the water and target an opponent with darts that he could shoot from the same reed supplying water.

Ninjas also used water systems such as water wells and urns to hide themselves. A ninja could remain under water while watching an enemy and waiting for the perfect moment to attack, all the while breathing adequate quantities of air through a reed.

Finally, ninjas were taught the invaluable skill of finding and purifying water, even under duress. In combat, water resources are precious. In order to survive, ninjas needed to know how to find safe water to replenish their bodies.

For ninjas, water was imperative to survival on all levels. Water underscored their survival in strategic battle the health of their bodies. These ancient techniques of using water as a weapon did not fade as did the art of ninja. Rather these same methods of eco-terrorism and water combat have evolved into more advanced techniques for waging war.

If you enjoyed this article, you should also read:

Water Baptisms in Early 20th Century America

Water SpArt: The Art of Sport

Gone Fishin’ With Captain Joe Gonzalez

Nautical Archaeology Threatened by Trawlers

Ancient Rainwater Tunnel Found in Jerusalem