1. Seigan no Kamae

   Also known as Chudan no Kamae. It is the most basic posture because from it unlimited variation of attack and defense are possible in response to anything the enemy may do. It can be used in any situation or terrain.

   • the right foot is advanced a half step and the left heel is raised slightly
   • the feet are parallel to each other
   • the weight is on the balls of both feet
   • the body is erect and faces squarely forward
   • the head is held straight and you look into the enemy's eyes
   • the sword points at the enemy's eyes
   • the left hand is about 4 inches from the center of the body
   • the hands and shoulders are relaxed
   • and the weight is settled in the hips.

2. Jodan no Kamae

   This is a posture in which you face the enemy squarely and suppress him with your spirit. You overpower his mind and control his movement so that he has no opportunity to attack you. The first gap in his mental awareness and physical defense is seized upon. The essence of this posture is to cut down with your whole mind, spirit and body. This posture is not usually advantageous against an enemy of greater skill.

   Hidari Jodan no Kamae:

   • advance the left foot about half a step.
   • hold the sword high above your head, pointing to your right rear
   • the body is held in the same way as in Seigan except
   • the heel of the rear foot touches the floor

   Migi Jodan no Kamae:

   • advance the right foot about a half step
   • the sword is held high, pointing to your left rear
   • the rest is the same as Hidari Jodan

3. Gedan no Kamae

   This posture is defensive in that you wait for the enemy to move first.

   • Take Seigan
   • lower the point of the sword so that it points at anywhere from the enemy's navel to his feet. It is usual to point it at his knees.
   • bend the right knee slightly
   • look into your enemy's eyes

4. Hasso no Kamae

   Also known as In no Kamae. This posture has the same spirit as Jodan has. Hasso may be used when the helmet makes it difficult to hold the sword over the head.

   Migi Hasso no Kamae:

   • advance the left foot forward a half step
   • the body turns to face the right front but the head faces directly forward
   • hold the sword in front of your right shoulder with the sword guard at the level of your eyes or nose
   • the sword is held vertically (note: there are many variations in the position of the sword)
   • the edge of the sword faces forward
   • the grip of both hands does not change from what is was in Seigan
   • relax the shoulders and hold the elbows naturally
   • distribute your weight evenly over both feet, do not lean towards your left leg

   When you cut from this posture, you must do so without dropping the sword point back even a little, as this will give away your intention to cut.

   Hidari Hasso no Kamae:

   This is the same as Migi Hasso except the right foot is advanced and the sword held in front of the left shoulder.

5. Wakigamae

   Also known as Yo no Kamae or Sha no Kamae. In the Ono-ha Itto Ryu, it is known as Onken. The key to this posture is to conceal the sword and expose the body to the enemy. This posture has the same spirit as does Jodan. There are two variations: Wakigamae Gedan in which the sword points down and back and Wakigamae Chudan in which the sword points back horizontally with the edge facing out. The body is turned but the head faces forward.

   Migi Wakigamae:

   • hold the sword on the right side
   • turn the body to the right
   • the left hand is in front of the center of the body

   Hidari Wakigamae:

   • hold the sword on the left side
   • turn the body to the left
   • the right had is in front of the center of the body

6. Tombo no Kamae

   This is the characteristic posture of the Tenshoshin Jigen Ryu. It is a variation of Migi Hasso with the sword held further back so that it is behind the head.

   • take Migi Hasso
   • hold the sword further back so that is it behind the head
   • bend the left knee and push the weight slightly forward
   • the body is turned to the right but the head faces forward

   The special feature of this posture is that unlike Hasso, the cut can be made from either the right or the left side. It has the same spirit as does Jodan.

7. Kasumi no Kamae

   Hold the sword at eye level with the edge facing diagonally upwards. The point of the sword threatens the enemy's eyes and hinders his movement. The instant the enemy moves you cut without raising the sword. This posture is of use when the enemy holds his sword in Jodan or Hasso.

   Migi Kasumi no Kamae:

   • hold the sword with the edge facing diagonally upwards and to the right
   • the sword is somewhere between shoulder level and eye level
   • the left foot is advanced

   Hidari Kasumi no Kamae:

   • hold the sword the the edge facing upwards and to the left
   • the sword is somewhere between shoulder level and eye level
   • the right foot is advanced

Sword Cuts

New York Budokai practices basic cuts for its happo giri ("cutting in eight directions") exercise, which is described in the Curriculum section.

• Kirioroshi - A straight overhead cut, starting at the opponent's head and finishing around the his/her waist.

• Kesagiri - A diagonal cut, starting from the opponent's shoulder and ending just above the hip bone. This cut can be done from the right side or the left side.

• Men - A straight cut to the face. Yoko men is a cut to either the right or left side of the face.

• Gyakukesa - "Reverse kesa." A diagonal cut from the right or left side that begins at the opponent's hip and ends at the shoulder.

• Makko giri - A large overhead cut, starting at the opponent's head, designed to cut through the entire body.

• Ichimonji - A straight horizontal cut targeted just below the opponent's rib cage. "Ichimonji" refers to the Japanese character for the number one, which is a straight line.

• Tsuki (pronounced "ski") - A thrust directed at the opponent's throat or diaphragm.

Copyright 1979 by Thomas Dreitlein
Copyright 1999 by New York Budokai