Chūdan-no-kamae

Kendo practice at an agricultural school c.1920. The person at right in the foreground is in chūdan-no-kamae, the person at left is in jōdan-no-kamae.

Chūdan-no-kamae (中段の構え:ちゅうだんのかまえ), sometimes shortened to Chūdan-gamae or simply Chūdan, is a basic weapon stance in many Japanese martial arts. The name translates literally to "middle-level stance," as the sword is held before the user at chest height. Chūdan-no-kamae is also called Seigan-no-kamae (正眼之構), or "right/correct eye posture," because the stance points the tip of the sword at the opponent's eyes.[1] In most traditional schools of swordsmanship, and in the practice of kendo, chūdan-no-kamae is the most basic posture, as it provides a balance between attacking and defensive techniques.

Kendo

Chūdan-no-kamae is one of the five stances in kendo: jōdan, chūdan, gedan, hassō and waki.

Chūdan is the most basic stance in kendo, and provides an excellent balance of offensive and defensive options. If correctly assumed, the trunk (do) and right wrist (migi-kote) are hidden from the opponent. The throat is visible, but the extended tip of the sword threatens a thrusting enemy with a likely counter-thrust. The head (men) is the only clearly open target, but this too is easily defended. If the overall posture, or kamae, is maintained, the user can step into striking distance of the opponent whilst maintaining good defence.

A beginner learns this stance first in order to learn the correct striking distance, issoku-ittō-no-maai (一足一刀の間合い).

Body position

In chūdan-no-kamae, the left foot is slightly behind the right with the left heel slightly raised, both feet are facing forward in parallel, the hips are straight forward, the shoulders are relaxed, and the spine is perpendicular to the floor at all times. The center of gravity should be centered between both feet. The shinai is held in front of the waist with both hands at roughly the height of the navel, and the tip of the weapon is pointed at the opponent's throat.

Chūdan's name, which translates to "middle stance," references how the sword is held at torso height, as opposed to the "upper stance" jōdan or the "lower stance" gedan, where the sword is held above the head or below the waist, respectively.

Naginata

In naginata, chudan-no-kamae is a mid-guard position, with the naginata held at waist height. The Kissaki (the tip of the Naginata) is held pointing towards the opponent, the arms relaxed. Hands should be shoulder width apart.

The trailing hand should be holding the naginata where the upper leg meets the groin. The forward foot should be pointing forward, directly at the opponent, the trailing foot is behind, at 90 degrees, pointing to the right.

This is a mid-guard position, which can be used for engagement or disengagement. It is a convenient position, used a lot in Naginata.

Kenjutsu

Because this stance offers a good balance of defense and offense, many traditional styles of kenjutsu (sword techniques) use chūdan as a basic stance, the only variation being the footwork. Generally, a much more grounded base is required to cut with power, stability, and focus. Some traditional styles may even assume zenkutsu dachi, where the feet are much wider apart, as part of this stance.

In contrast, the kenjutsu taught in the practice of aikido opts for a middle ground, where chūdan-no-kamae is assumed with the body otherwise in hanmi-dachi, a more neutral stance. The purpose is to reduce the possibility of an ai-uchi (simultaneous strike, usually resulting in mutual death), which often occurs harmlessly in kendo, but is generally undesirable in actual combat.

An additional advantage the stance offers in kenjutsu is to conceal the length of the user's sword. While this is not a consideration in kendo, as shinai are standardized, in actual combat sword lengths may vary, and because chūdan points the tip of the sword directly at the opponent's eyes, it can be difficult to accurately judge the length of the sword.

Other kamae (positions)

While chūdan is the most common and basic stance, many others exist. Some of the most standard and widely-practiced kamae include:

Each of these have a hidari (左) left and migi (右) right version. When indicated, hidari or migi will be prefixed to the stance, e.g. hidari gedan-no-kamae (左下段の構え), and literally describes the position ("left lower stance").

Other stances exist, and as one extreme example, the art of Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryū practices all of these and at least twice as many others, almost none of which actually use the above names.[2]

The five kamae are also called water (chūdan), fire (jōdan), earth (gedan), wood (hassō) and metal (waki) according to the Five Elements.[3] Alternately, in Yagyu Shinkage, they are referred to as heaven (jōdan), man (chūdan), shadow (hassō), and light (waki), with earth (gedan) being mutually shared.

Similar European techniques

This stance is known as Eisenport or "Iron Gate" in German martial arts from the 14th-16th centuries. It is also similar to the Italian Posta di Breve or "short guard" stance (also called terza or the third stance, following Camillo Agrippa's naming conventions) from the same period.

References

  1. ^ Crocker, Luke (2016-03-22). "Seigan no Kurai 正眼の位". Classical Martial Arts. Retrieved 2024-03-25.
  2. ^ Otake, Risuke (1977). The Deity and the Sword – Katori Shinto-ryu Vol. 1, Japan, Japan Publications Trading Co. ISBN 0-87040-378-8 (Original Japanese title for all three volumes in this series is Mukei Bunkazai Katori Shinto-ryu)
  3. ^ 上野 靖之 (1966) 剣道教典 (Educational Model Fencing) 尚武館刊. p318

Read other articles:

United States historic placeMarine HospitalU.S. National Register of Historic Places Show map of MaineShow map of the United StatesLocation331 Veranda St.Portland, MaineCoordinates43°41′18″N 70°14′51″W / 43.68833°N 70.24750°W / 43.68833; -70.24750Area1 acre (0.40 ha)Built1855 (1855)ArchitectAmmi B. YoungArchitectural styleItalianateNRHP reference No.74000161[1]Added to NRHPAugust 21, 1974 The Marine Hospital is a historic me...

 

Department of Population Health University of OxfordEstablished2013Head of DepartmentProf. Sir Rory CollinsAcademic staff500Postgraduates184LocationOxford, UKWebsitewww.ndph.ox.ac.uk The Nuffield Department of Population Health (NDPH) of Oxford University is located at the Old Road Campus in Headington, Oxford, England. It is one of the largest departments within Oxford University's Medical Sciences Division.[1] The head of department is Professor Sir Rory Collins.[2] History ...

 

Para otros usos de este término, véase Batalla (desambiguación). La Batalla de Waterloo por William Sadler. Una batalla se podría definir como un combate entre dos o más contendientes en donde cada uno de ellos tratará de derrotar a los demás. Las batallas tienen lugar más a menudo durante las guerras o las campañas militares y normalmente pueden ser bien definidas por el espacio, el tiempo y la acción llevada a cabo. Las guerras y las campañas son guiadas por la estrategia mientra...

American retailer Family Dollar Stores Inc.Family Dollar store in Valdosta, GeorgiaTypeSubsidiaryIndustryRetail, Variety, DiscountFoundedNovember 1959; 64 years ago (1959-11)Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.FounderLeon LevineHeadquartersChesapeake, Virginia, United StatesNumber of locations8,200[1]Area servedUnited StatesKey peopleGary Philbin, President & CEOHoward R. Levine, ChairmanProductsClothing, cleaning supplies, home decor, and grocery.RevenueUS$ 10.4...

 

SMA Negeri 70 JakartaInformasiDidirikan5 Oktober 1981JenisNegeriAkreditasiANomor Pokok Sekolah Nasional20102570Kepala SekolahDr. Ratna Budiarti, M.Biomed.Jumlah kelas10 kelas setiap tingkat + 3 kelas program internasional dan 3 kelas program AkselerasiJurusan atau peminatanMIA dan IISRentang kelasX-A-X-J, XI-A-XI-J, XII-A-XII-JKurikulumMerdeka belajarJumlah siswa1141 siswa (2010-11)StatusSekolah Standar Nasional‎NEM terendah9.00 (Jalur Umum IPA 2014) ; 8.74 (Jalur Umum I...

 

CovivioJenisSociété anonyme (Euronext: COV)IndustriInvestor - Pengembang real estatDidirikan1988KantorpusatMetzTokohkunciJean Laurent, CEOKaryawan922Situs webwww.covivio.eu Covivio, sebelumnya Foncière des Régions, adalah perusahaan manajemen real estat Prancis yang didirikan pada tahun 1998. Kegiatannya terbagi antara kepemilikan kantor (48,3%), sektor perumahan (24,4%) dan sektor hotel (21,1%).[1] Aset Covivo bernilai 23.000 juta euro. Covivo lahir pada tahun 2018. Ini adal...

Sikorsky S-70 H-01, helicóptero presidencial de la República Argentina. La Agrupación Aérea Presidencial es uno de los componentes de la Casa Militar de la República Argentina. Los otros elementos son la Agrupación de Seguridad e Inteligencia y la Agrupación Logística y Comunicaciones. Misión de la Agrupación Aérea Presidencial Responsabilidad Primaria Planificar, coordinar, ejecutar y supervisar las actividades relacionadas con los traslados aéreos del Presidente de la Nación, s...

 

Chess opening Chess openingModern Benoni abcdefgh8877665544332211abcdefghMoves1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6ECOA60–A79OriginCapablanca–Marshall, New York 1927 (by transposition)Named afterBenoni DefenceParentIndian DefenceSynonym(s)Modern Benoni Defence The Modern Benoni is a chess opening that begins with the moves 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6. It is classified under the ECO codes A60–A79. After the initial moves, Black proceeds to capture on d5, creating a majority of black pawns on the queensi...

 

Atacama B-Mode SearchThe Atacama B-Mode Search on top of its shipping container.Location(s)Atacama DesertCoordinates22°58′S 67°47′W / 22.96°S 67.79°W / -22.96; -67.79 Altitude5,200 m (17,100 ft) Wavelength2 mm (150 GHz)Telescope stylecosmic microwave background experimentradio telescope Websitewww.princeton.edu/physics/research/cosmology-experiment/abs-experiment/ Location of Atacama B-Mode Search  Related media on Commons[...

States of Alderney États d'Aurigny (in French)TypeTypeUnicameral LeadershipPresidentWilliam Tate since 2019 StructureSeats10Political groups   Independent (10) ElectionsLast election26 November 2022Meeting placeStates of Alderney ChamberWebsitewww.alderney.gov.gg/Politics of Alderney Sovereign Duke of Normandy King Charles III Legislature States of Alderney President William Tate Members of the States of Alderney Judiciary Judge of Alderney Elections Last election Other countries vte Th...

 

Lesbian direct action group Part of a series onLesbian feminism Women's liberation movement People Paula Gunn Allen Dorothy Allison Ti-Grace Atkinson Alison Bechdel Evelyn Torton Beck Miriam Ben-Shalom Julie Bindel Ivy Bottini Charlotte Bunch Cheryl Clarke Michelle Cliff Kate Clinton Jeanne Córdova Mary Daly Max Dashu Diane DiMassa Alix Dobkin Andrea Dworkin Elana Dykewomon Lillian Faderman Ferron Marilyn Frye Michiyo Fukaya Carolyn Gage Donna Gottschalk Sarah Hoagland Karla Jay Sheila Jeffr...

 

Este artículo o sección necesita referencias que aparezcan en una publicación acreditada.Este aviso fue puesto el 16 de abril de 2013. «Transparencia» redirige aquí. Para la proyección de láminas transparentes, véase retroproyector. «Transparente» redirige aquí. Para otras acepciones, véase Transparente (desambiguación). Transmitancia de la atmósfera terrestre. Un material presenta transparencia cuando deja pasar fácilmente la luz. La transparencia es una propiedad óptica de ...

Not to be confused with Shimanek Bridge or Gilkey Bridge. United States historic placeHannah BridgeU.S. National Register of Historic Places Hannah Bridge over Thomas CreekLocation of the bridge in Linn County, OregonShow map of OregonHannah Bridge (the United States)Show map of the United StatesNearest cityScioCoordinates44°42′43.3″N 122°43′07.3″W / 44.712028°N 122.718694°W / 44.712028; -122.718694Built1936Architectural styleHowe trussMPSOregon Covere...

 

Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens NEFLIdentifiersAliasesNEFL, CMT1F, CMT2E, NF-L, NF68, NFL, PPP1R110, neurofilament, light polypeptide, neurofilament light, CMTDIG, neurofilament light chainExternal IDsOMIM: 162280 MGI: 97313 HomoloGene: 4487 GeneCards: NEFL Gene location (Human)Chr.Chromosome 8 (human)[1]Band8p21.2Start24,950,955 bp[1]End24,956,721 bp[1]Gene location (Mouse)Chr.Chromosome 14 (mouse)[2]Band14|14 D1Start68,321,312 bp[2 ...

 

Penglihatan Zakharia dari empat tanduk dan empat orang tukang besi, karya Christoph Weigel Empat tanduk dan empat orang tukang besi adalah sebuah penglihatan yang dicantumkan dalam Kitab Zakharia, dalam Zakharia 1:21 pada teks-teks Inggris tradisional. Dalam teks-teks Ibrani, 1:18-21 dinomori 2:1-4. Pengihatan tersebut mendahului penglihatan Seorang yang Memegang Tali Ukuran. Teks Alkitab Ibrani Aku melayangkan mataku dan melihat: tampak empat tanduk. Lalu aku bertanya kepada malaikat yang be...

Jamont Gordon Gordon con la maglia del Galatasaray Nazionalità  Stati Uniti Altezza 193 cm Peso 102 kg Pallacanestro Ruolo Guardia Termine carriera 2017 Carriera Giovanili Oak Hill Academy2005-2008 MSU Bulldogs Squadre di club 2008-2009 Fortitudo Bologna29 (329)2009-2010 Cibona Zagabria28 (403)2010-2012 CSKA Mosca2012-2014 Galatasaray38 (419)2015 Tofaş Bursa8 (61)2017 Partizan Il simbolo → indica un trasferimento in prestito.   Modifica dati su...

 

Hålogaland Court of AppealHålogaland lagmannsrettCourthouse in Tromsø69°39′17″N 18°57′56″E / 69.654811°N 18.965471°E / 69.654811; 18.965471Established1 Jan 1890JurisdictionNordland, Jan Mayen, Troms, Svalbard, FinnmarkLocationTromsø, NorwayCoordinates69°39′17″N 18°57′56″E / 69.654811°N 18.965471°E / 69.654811; 18.965471Composition methodCourt of AppealAppeals toSupreme Court of NorwayAppeals fromDistrict courtsNumber ...

 

Representatives in the National Assembly of France You can help expand this article with text translated from the corresponding article in French. (January 2021) Click [show] for important translation instructions. Machine translation, like DeepL or Google Translate, is a useful starting point for translations, but translators must revise errors as necessary and confirm that the translation is accurate, rather than simply copy-pasting machine-translated text into the English Wikipedia. D...

Census-designated place in Pennsylvania, United StatesWest Pittsburg, PennsylvaniaCensus-designated placeMain Street in downtown West PittsburgWest PittsburgLocation in PennsylvaniaShow map of PennsylvaniaWest PittsburgLocation in the United StatesShow map of the United StatesCoordinates: 40°55′58″N 80°21′48″W / 40.93278°N 80.36333°W / 40.93278; -80.36333CountryUnited StatesStatePennsylvaniaCountyLawrenceTownshipTaylorArea[1] • Total0.6...

 

Monumento ai CadutiAutoreTorquato Tamagnini Data1923 MaterialeTravertino (la base) Bronzo (la statua) Dimensioni500×380×300 cm UbicazioneLargo Enrico Berlinguer, Tocco da Casauria Coordinate42°12′46.45″N 13°54′46.74″E42°12′46.45″N, 13°54′46.74″E Il monumento ai Caduti è una statua in bronzo su base in travertino realizzata da Torquato Tamagnini posta in largo Enrico Berlinguer a Tocco da Casauria. Il monumento risale al 1923 ed è stato eretto in onore dei caduti t...

 

Strategi Solo vs Squad di Free Fire: Cara Menang Mudah!