In budō and koryū, suigetsu 水月 refers to the solar plexus or upper abdomen region. Anatomically, it corresponds roughly to the area just below the sternum, in the epigastric or solar plexus region. Suigetsu is a classic kyūsho (vital target). Striking there can disrupt breathing; shock the diaphragm; weaken structure; break rhythm and focus; cause brief paralysis or collapse. It’s not just a physical weak point — it’s a psychophysical target.
Related Terms
Suigetsu o uchi — “Strike the solar plexus”
Suigetsu-zeme — Pressure on the solar plexus
Suigetsu kyūshō — Vital point of the solar plexus
Mizōochi (鳩尾) – pit of the stomach (very similar region)
Tanden (丹田) – lower abdomen energy center
Seika Tanden (臍下丹田) – lower abdomen energy storage
Translation
Etymology
Literal meaning: “Moon on the water” — a poetic image of the moon’s reflection. The term comes from a classical metaphor in Zen and Chinese/Japanese philosophy. The moon reflected on water is real, yet cannot be grasped. In martial arts, this imagery connects to the vulnerability of the solar plexus; the way breathing and spirit are disrupted when struck; and the idea that this point affects ki, posture, and consciousness, not just flesh.
