The Water Samurai: Masaharu Oishi and the Spirit of SUP in Japan

I wasn’t looking for anything that day—just scrolling through Instagram, half-distracted, when something stopped me.

A man standing tall on a SUP board, dressed like a warrior straight out of Mortal Kombat, performing fluid samurai movements over the water. It looked surreal. But instead of feeling like a gimmick, it felt right.

In that moment, I knew: we needed him on the RSPro team.

Meeting the Water Samurai

Some weeks later, I reached out to Masaharu Oishi. By then I already thought of him as “the Water Samurai” The way he moved wasn’t just performance—it had roots, weight, and meaning.

During a trip to Japan last July, I finally met him in person. We talked about his vision, his background, and the reason behind blending SUP with samurai discipline. The deeper I listened, the more sense it all made.

Samurai Traditions on Water

Masaharu comes from a region rich with samurai heritage and legends. He told me about an old Japanese saying: 七転び八起き (Nanakorobi yaoki) — “Fall down seven times, get up eight.”

For him, this isn’t just a phrase—it’s a way of life. Falling, failing, getting back up again. It mirrors the reality of SUP perfectly: lose balance, fall in, climb back on, repeat.

Blending samurai techniques with stand-up paddling might sound strange at first. But when you see him on the board, it feels natural, like those movements were made for water. He’s not acting out a role. He’s bridging past and present, keeping tradition alive in a modern way.

The Perfect Stage — Lake Saiko and Mount Fuji

When we started planning a video and photo shoot, I wanted a location that would match the spirit of his art. Masaharu suggested Lake Saiko, a quiet lake hidden behind Mount Fuji.

The place felt untouched, surrounded by forest and filled with legends of yōkai—Japanese monsters and spirits. It was both peaceful and mystical, the kind of setting where samurai stories come alive.

On the water that day, Masaharu was completely in his element. Each stroke, each stance carried intention. The camera captured not just movements but a philosophy.

Beyond the Visuals — The Story Behind the Project

The shoot wasn’t about costumes or performance. It was about telling Masaharu’s story. He believes SUP is more than a sport—it’s a medium. A canvas where you can bring culture, discipline, and personal identity into play.

For him, it’s not about showing off. It’s about respect: for tradition, for nature, for the water beneath his board. That’s what makes the “Water Samurai” real.

What the Water Samurai Teaches Us

Resilience on the Board and in Life

SUP is humbling. You fall, you get wet, you start again. Masaharu’s samurai philosophy reminds us that’s the point: the strength isn’t in never falling—it’s in always getting back up.

Respect for Nature

Every paddle stroke is a conversation with the water. Masaharu’s discipline gives that dialogue meaning. Watching him, you can feel the balance between human presence and natural power.

Creativity and Identity in SUP

Masaharu proves that there isn’t just one way to ride. SUP can be a sport, a meditative practice, or even an artistic expression. His style invites all of us to find our own rhythm.

RSPro and the Spirit of Innovation

At RSPro, we’ve always admired those who push boundaries. Not for attention, but because they see something new. Masaharu is exactly that kind of rider—someone who respects tradition but isn’t afraid to reinvent.

That’s why we’re proud to support him and share his story. The Water Samurai isn’t just a striking image. He represents resilience, creativity, and respect—the same values we carry into every RSPro product.

Closing Reflection

Scrolling Instagram that day, I stumbled into something I couldn’t ignore. At first glance, Masaharu looked like a character from a movie. But meeting him at Lake Saiko, surrounded by Mount Fuji and ancient legends, I realized he was telling a much bigger story.

The Water Samurai is more than a persona. He’s proof that SUP can be more than balance and speed. It can be storytelling on water.