The Real Samurai Marathon
PUBLISHED 17 AUGUST 2025
Running in old Japan
The film Samurai Marathon (2019) surprised many viewers. A story about samurai running long distances? It sounded like fiction. But the movie was based on a real event from the 1800s: the Ansei Tōashi, a 30-kilometre footrace held in Annaka Domain.
This “samurai marathon” shows that training in old Japan was not only about swords and battles. But endurance, posture, and discipline were just as important.
The Ansei Tōashi: Samurai on the Run
The Ansei Tōashi took place in 1855, during the Ansei era (1854–1860). This was two years after Commodore Perry’s “Black Ships” arrived in Japan. The country was uneasy, and many feudal lords feared a foreign invasion.
One of them, Itakura Katsuakira, ruled Annaka Domain. His samurai were responsible for defending Usui Pass, a narrow mountain route linking Edo to the northwest. To prepare his men, Katsuakira ordered them to run from the castle gate to Kumano Gongen Shrine at Usui Pass. The distance was about 30 kilometres, with hills and mountain trails.
Ninety-eight samurai under the age of fifty took part. They ran in small groups, starting together. Their finishing order was carefully recorded.
The race was forgotten for nearly a century. Then in 1955, old manuscripts were found in the home of a Shintō priest at Usui Pass. These papers described the run in detail, including the dates, route, and results. Since 1975, Annaka City has revived the tradition, holding an annual long-distance race called the “Samurai Marathon.”
Shinobi on the Move: The Ninja’s Running Methods
While the samurai of Annaka trained for war, the ninja trained for survival and speed. Movement was one of their greatest skills.
In Ninja, historian Kuroi Hiromitsu writes that ninja were called hayamichi-no-mono, “shortcut people.” They moved quickly to carry information, but often it looked more like fast walking. Hiromitsu explains that keeping the eyes lowered helped breathing. Looking too far ahead tires the body faster.
Legends also tell of incredible feats. In An Introduction to Ninja, Yuji Yamada says the shinobi Idaten was able to run 200 kilometres in a single day. True or not, it shows the reputation of the ninja as endurance runners.
Training methods were also unique. In The Way of the Ninja, Masaaki Hatsumi describes running on ice in geta clogs, using short, quick steps—even sideways—to avoid slipping. Another method, shinobi bashiri, tied a strip of cloth to the back of the clothing. The goal was to run smoothly so the cloth never touched the ground.
Nanba Aruki: The Samurai Step
The samurai who ran the Ansei Tōashi may have used nanba aruki, a traditional Japanese way of walking and running. In nanba, the arm and leg on the same side of the body move together.
William Reed, a long-time practitioner of samurai arts, says this style suited the kimono, obi belt, and straw sandals of the time. It used less twisting of the torso, which saved energy and reduced strain. Reed describes it as a “gliding” motion, with the feet kept low to the ground and the hands circling in rhythm with the steps.
Nanba made long-distance travel easier. It gave stability, stamina, and efficiency. For samurai, it meant endurance in armor. For ninja, it meant stealth and speed in the shadows.
Five Ninja Running Drills You Can Try Today
1. Shinobi Bashiri (Stealth Run)
Attach a strip of cloth to the back of your belt. Run smoothly at a pace where the cloth never touches the ground. This trains rhythm and lightness.
2. Fast Walk Posture
Lower your gaze a few feet ahead, not far into the distance. Keep your chin down to aid breathing and conserve energy.
3. Geta on Ice
Practice short, quick steps in slippery conditions (use safe surfaces). This drill, described by Masaaki Hatsumi, teaches balance and adaptability.
4. Sideways Shuffle
Run sideways while keeping your upper body stable. Great for strengthening legs and improving lateral movement.
5. Nanba Steps
Move your right arm with your right leg, and left with left. Keep strides gliding and low to the ground. This reduces strain and builds long-distance stamina.
Endurance and Espionage
The samurai marathon and ninja running methods had different goals. The first was about military training. The second was about survival and secrecy. But both relied on the same principles: conserve energy, control posture, and focus on steady breathing.
The rediscovery of the Ansei Tōashi, along with preserved ninjutsu teachings, shows that movement was as central to martial arts as combat skills. Endurance, rhythm, and efficiency prepared warriors not just for the fight, but for the long road that led to it.
Sources
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Hiromitsu, Kuroi. Ninja. Tokyo: Gakken, 2004.
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Yamada, Yuji. An Introduction to Ninja. Tokyo: Kadokawa, 2016.
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Hatsumi, Masaaki. The Way of the Ninja: Secret Techniques. Tokyo: Kodansha, 2004.
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Reed, William. Lectures, articles and workshops on nanba aruki, 1973–present.
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Dobashi, Akihiro. The Marathon Samurai: Five Tales of Japan’s First Marathon. Tokyo: Bungei Shunjū, 2014.
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Annaka City Cultural Records: Ansei Tōashi manuscripts, rediscovered 1955.
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