Home
Hataya Sensei DVD
Search
Bushido
Respect for Katana
Sword Dictionary
How to Guides
    Bow In Ceremony
    Warm Up Exercises
    Bow Out Ceremony
    Wearing Uniform
    Formal Uniform
    Wearing Daisho
    Uniform Folding/Care
Katana Selection
    Sword Dimensions
    Sword Testing
Katana Maintenance
    Katana Cleaning
    Mekugi Replacement
    Katana Disassembly
    Is my sword sharp?
    Edge Geometry
    Surface Polish
    Sharpening Guide
Training Basics
    Kihon (Fundamentals)
    8 Basic Cuts
    Toyama Kata
    Toyama Kukmitachi
    Seitei Kata
Taikai Guides
    Taikai Rules
    Judging Guide
Tameshigiri
    Target Prep & Spiking
    Cutting Patters
    Cutting Videos
    Target Comparison
St Petersburg Dojo
    Intro Letter
    Femal Sensei
    Dojo Members
    Code of Conduct
    Classes and Fees
Promotion Pictues
Rank Testing
Links

Fundamentals (Kihon) 基本

Postures (Kamae) 構え

Kamae are standard guard positions / stances.  It is important to keep proper attitude and focus while practicing kamae.  They are constantly used in the Toyama Ryu kata and kumitachi.

Chūdan no Kamae 中段の構え

Chudan no Kamae is the middle guard posture with kissaki level with throat.  Arms are held forward with a slight bend at the elbow.  This is the most common kamae (posture).  It is a balance of attack and defense and the most versatile of the kamae.

• Balance of attack and defense
• Right foot is forward
• Katana held directly in-front of the body
• Kissaki at throat level
• Left hand level with the navel
• Arms held forward
• Katana pushed out to maximize reach
• Slight bend in elbows without locking joints
• Feet shoulder width apart
• Keep the front and back feet about one foot (your foot) apart
• Flat straight back
• Stomach not out (do not arch back)
• Keep the shoulders down and back
• Balance on toes
• 70% of weight on forward leg
• Forward knee bent until toes not visible
• Rear leg straight but not locked
• Heal not locked on floor
• Heals not pointed in (feet pointed forward)

Seigan no Kamae 正眼の構え

Seigan Kamae is a middle guard with point of sword pointed at the opponent’s eyes.  The arms are held forward with only a slight bend at the elbow.  This is a variation of Chudan no Kamae.

• Balance of attack and defense
• Right foot is forward
• Katana held directly in-front of the body
• Kissaki pointed at opponents eyes
• Left hand level with the navel
• Arms held forward
• Katana pushed out to maximize reach
• Slight bend in elbows without locking joints
• Feet shoulder width apart
• Keep the front and back feet about one foot (your foot) apart
• Flat straight back
• Stomach not out (do not arch back)
• Keep the shoulders down and back
• Balance on toes
• 70% of weight on forward leg
• Forward knee bent until toes not visible
• Rear leg straight but not locked
• Heal not locked on floor
• Heals not pointed in (feet pointed forward)

Jōdan no Kamae 上段の構え

Jōdan no Kamae is a upper guard posture with point of sword pointed up and back.  The hands are over the head with the Kashira in the edge of the peripheral vision.  This is a very aggressive offensive posture designed to intimidate.  It is used in Toyama kata nanahon me and kumitachi happon me.

• Aggressive attack posture
• Right foot is forward
• Katana angled back with monouchi at 45 degrees
• Hands above head
• Kashira about 4 to 6 inches above forehead
• Elbows rotated out
• Feet shoulder width apart
• Keep the front and back feet about one foot (your foot) apart
• Flat straight back
• Stomach not out (do not arch back)
• Keep the shoulders down and back
• Balance on toes
• 70% of weight on forward leg
• Forward knee bent until toes not visible
• Rear leg straight but not locked
• Heal not locked on floor
• Heals not pointed in (feet pointed forward)

Migi Jōdan no kamae 右上段の構え

Overhead kamae, right foot forward, sword at 45 degree angle, left hand one fist from the forehead.  This is a very aggressive offensive posture designed to intimidate.

• Aggressive attack posture
• Left foot is forward
• Katana angled back with monouchi at 45 degrees
• Hands above head
• Kashira about 4 to 6 inches above forehead
• Elbows rotated out
• Feet shoulder width apart
• Keep the front and back feet about one foot (your foot) apart
• Flat straight back
• Stomach not out (do not arch back)
• Keep the shoulders down and back
• Balance on toes
• 70% of weight on forward leg
• Forward knee bent until toes not visible
• Rear leg straight but not locked
• Heal not locked on floor
• Heals not pointed in (feet pointed forward)

Hidari Jōdan no kamae 左上段の構え

Overhead kamae, left foot forward, sword at 45 degree angle, left hand one fist from the forehead. The left hand is positioned above the left eye, so the tip is slightly to the right, behind the head.  This is a very aggressive offensive posture designed to intimidate.

• Aggressive attack posture
• Right foot is forward
• Katana angled back with monouchi at 45 degrees
• Left hand positioned above the left eye
• Right hand positioned directly above the head
• Kashira about 4 to 6 inches above forehead
• Elbows rotated out
• Feet shoulder width apart
• Keep the front and back feet about one foot (your foot) apart
• Flat straight back
• Stomach not out (do not arch back)
• Keep the shoulders down and back
• Balance on toes
• 70% of weight on forward leg
• Forward knee bent until toes not visible
• Rear leg straight but not locked
• Heal not locked on floor
• Heals not pointed in (feet pointed forward)

Wakigamae 脇構え

Waki no Kamae is a side guard posture with the katana held low at the side with the edge forward.  The body is turned at about 45 degrees and the left hand should be in-front of the navel.  The length and edge orientation of the katana is hidden from the opponent.

Gedan no Kamae 下段の構え

Gedan no Kamae is a low guard posture with point of sword held at about knee level.  It is a defensive position good for deflecting attacks and creating openings.  The focus should be on creating a counter-attack.

Hassō no Kamae 八双の構え

Hasso no Kamae is a high guard posture with the katana pointed upwards, the edge forward, and the guard level with the ear.  The body is turned at about 45 degrees and the arms should be held in a relaxed position with the elbows pointed slightly downward.  This is an offensive position good for a quick attack.  Used in Toyama Ryu Kumitachi Gohon Me.

Kamae Toku 構え解く

Kamae with lowered, slightly turned sword (of conquered opponent).  Similar to Gedan no Kamae.  Used at the end of Toyama Ryu Kumitachi.