The Shinden-ryu team of traditional Japanese-style swimmers: 'Hoping the bond between people and the historical value will be felt through the Torch Relay.'
The people who support the Olympic Torch Relay from behind the scenes
About 10,000 torchbearers will participate in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Relay that will traverse all 47 prefectures in Japan. Over the course of the 121-day schedule that will kick off on 25 March 2021, the relay will be supported by many people behind the scenes across Japan who will make sure the Olympic torch will be passed on safely. We conducted interviews to ask some of these people how they feel about their important task.
This time we introduce a group of swimmers who will support a torchbearer who will carry the Olympic torch using a traditional Japanese style of swimming.
A chance to promote traditional Japanese-style swimming
Torchbearers are not the only ones transporting the torch during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Relay. The torch will sometimes be transported by rail, ship or even on a bicycle. At the Torch Relay that will take place in Hiroshima City during May 2021, members of the 'Shinden-ryu Hiroshima Yuei Doshikai' (Shinden-style swimming team in Hiroshima) will carry and support the torch. The organisation was formed to preserve the tradition of Nihon-eiho, an ancient Japanese swimming style. One of their members, MATSUOKA Chiaki, will support the torchbearer while swimming. Bracing herself for the moment, Chiaki says, “This will be a good opportunity to introduce Nihon-eiho to more people, and I’m grateful. I have to make sure I don’t embarrass all the groups of different Nihon-eiho styles whom we represent.”
Shinden-ryu is one of thirteen Nihon-eiho styles of swimming recognised in Japan. Its history is deeply rooted in Hiroshima. In the Edo Period, the Hiroshima Domain adopted the Shume Shinden-ryu, which originated in an area called Iyo-no-kuni Ozu (currently known as Ozu City in Ehime Prefecture), as a martial art. In the Meiji Period, a branch called Shinden-ryu was introduced from Okayama (adjacent to Hiroshima), and in 1920 the Shinden-ryu Hiroshima Yuei Doshikai was established. The history of the organisation goes back more than 100 years.
Chiaki is a third-generation member. Her grandfather first joined the group and Chiaki started Nihon-eiho when in elementary school. She said the most special part about Shinden-ryu is its practical application. "Instead of just swimming, it has many techniques that can be useful for other tasks." For example, ‘jingasa-tobi’ is a technique where the swimmer wears a bamboo hat and jumps in the water without wetting the hat, and then swims using one arm while holding a sword or lantern in the other hand.
Inspecting the site beforehand to ensure safety
Since her family has carried on the tradition, Chiaki feels an obligation to continue studying the history of Shinden-ryu. She reads old documents that have been passed down in her family through generations, and tries to understand how the Shinden-ryu has developed. "For our Shinden-ryu group to live on, it’s important to preserve its history as well." She says she will be ready to answer any questions the media or anyone may have during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Relay.
A thorough inspection of the swim site was conducted in preparation for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Relay. The distance is only about 25 metres, but they confirmed which route should be taken to swim to the destination or whether there are any obstacles, and they will make sure it is a safe journey. Chiaki told us, "I have to practice many times to make sure I reach the shore in a clean form and manner. Although I’m used to it, you never know what can happen in the water."
Chiaki will support a torchbearer who will participate in the Torch Relay in Hiroshima City; an elder member of the group that will serve as the torchbearer. They have been swimming together for many years. The torchbearer will receive plenty of attention so Chiaki hopes she will demonstrate her usual swim. "I think she will be more nervous than us. As a member of the same group, I will make sure we all finish safely." Chiaki pledges to be a reliable supporter so that her colleague will be able to swim as she always does.
Delivering the torch safely
Several other Shinden-ryu members will join Chiaki as support swimmers. One of them, EBISU Yasushi, says after the trial swim carried out in October 2020: "We will have to adjust our strokes to the current, which could be strong or weak. As a support swimmer, I will read the current and instruct which course we should take." He says with determination, "It’s our responsiblitiy to make sure the torch reaches shore safely. That’s all that matters."
TSUCHIYA Morifumi, who is in charge of Nihon-eiho at the Japan Swimming Federation, coaches the torchbearer for the Olympic Torch Relay. He communicates with her every day over the phone and via social media to keep her motivated. "As a coach, it’s my role to make sure she is relaxed and calm, and she swims the way she expected to." He gives her a target distance to practice and makes sure she is fully prepared.
Chiaki compares the Shinden-ryu history with that of the Torch Relay, and looks forward to her swim.
"Like the torch that is carried on from one person to another, our tradition and history have been passed on to the next generation over hundreds of years. It would be nice to capture that in a video or a photograph and have people learn about it or develop an interest. I hope people will feel the bond between people and the historical value on the day of the Torch Relay."
The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Relay will be featured as a new page in the history of Shinden-ryu.
Note: This article is based on an interview that took place on 10 January 2021.