Gyokko Ryu Kamae

Basic Stances (Kihon Kamae)

Flat Stance (Hira no Kamae)

The defender stands with his feet a little wider than shoulder-width and his hips square with his opponent. One foot should be slightly in front of the other and the defender's body weight is slightly forward on the balls of his feet, though all of this will be nearly imperceptible to the opponent. The defender's body is calm and relaxed with the arms hanging loosely by the sides. Hira no Kamae is similar to the Natural Stance (Shizen no Kamae), which is taught in many styles. The main difference is that Flat Stance (Hira no Kamae) has the feet a little wider and the hips a little lower than Natural Stance (Shizen no Kamae). Hira no Kamae also usually involves moving with a feeling of circling or with the defender spinning into Hira. Some Ryuha even have Hira with the arms raised parallel with the floor so that the defender can pivot like a top. In Gyokko Ryu, the hands are often held loosely in fists in front of the hips.

The Primary-Heart Stance (Shoshin no Kamae)

The defender stands side-on to the opponent with his hips low, his back straight, and his feet wide apart. The defender's body weight is divided evenly between both feet. The defender's heels are nearly in line, and the feet are perpendicular to each other. The defender's lead hand points straight at the opponent with just a slight bend at the elbow, and the rear hand is in a fist at the front of the rear hip. This is the posture used in the Three-Hearts Forms (Sanshin no Kata) and is the only posture in Gyokko Ryu that favors linear movements over circular. With Gyokko Ryu the kamae are all done with the body weight evenly distributed or the weight slightly forward on the lead leg.

The Three Basic Stances (Sandan Kihon Kamae)

Number-One Stance (Ichimonji no Kamae)

The defender stands with his hips low, his back straight, and his feet wide apart. Unlike the Ichimonji no Kamae of Koto Ryu, the body weight is divided evenly between both feet. The defender's heels are nearly in line, and the feet are perpendicular to each other. The defender's lead hand points at the opponent, and the lead arm is bent with the elbow about a fists-width from the ribs. The arms are held lower to protect the defender's heart. The defender's lead hand also points at a forty-five degree angle to the right toward the opponent's heart (if the left leg is in the lead). The fingers of the lead hand are held together like a spear. The position of the defender's arm and hand are meant to entice the opponent to punch at the defender's face. The defender's rear fist rests in a loose thumb fist (Boshi Ken) in the crook of the elbow at the bicep. The defender should emit a feeling of piercing through the opponent's heart. When the defender drops this intention, he can manipulate the opponent to attack.

Flying-Bird Stance (Hicho no Kamae)

The defender stands with his body in Number-One Stance (Ichimonji no Kamae). The defender raises his lead foot and places the heel in the crook of the knee of the supporting leg. The defender's knee will point at the opponent and act as a final barrier if the opponent breeches the defender's arms. As the defender's foot comes up, the defender raises his arms, extends his lead arm a little further out, and allows that arm to hang relaxed in that position like the wing of a crane. The lead hand can even droop a little bit, but the rear hand remains in place on the defender's bicep in a thumb fist (Boshi Ken). By raising his arms slightly in this manner, the defender creates a space (kukan) at his ribs and stomach that will tempt the opponent to attack. His arms will also make it difficult for the opponent to attack the his head. The defender should have a feeling of being light on his feet and being able to move quickly, freely, and naturally. A good exercise is to practice transitioning smoothly from left (Hidari) Hicho no Kamae to right (Migi) Hicho no Kamae by stepping, hopping, and leaping. The defender should also have a feeling of storing up energy while in Hicho so that, when an opponent attacks, he can release it.

Number-Ten Stance (Jumonji no Kamae)

The defender stands with his feet a little wider than shoulder-width and his hips square with his opponent. One foot should be slightly in front of the other, and the defender's body weight is slightly forward on the balls of his feet. The defender holds one arm crossed in front of the other in an 'X' shape. The defender's hands are in fists with the thumb on top similar to a thumb fist (Boshi Ken). The arm in front depends on which leg is in the lead. If the left leg is in the lead, the left arm is in front, and if the right leg is in the lead, the right arm is in front. The defender's head should be just above the top of the 'X' and there should be about a two inch gap between the left forearm and the right forearm. The defender should maintain a feeling of repelling any attack.

The Three Secret Transmissions: the Three Prayers and Heaven-Earth Yin-Yang Posture
(Sanpo Hiden: Sanpo Gassho to Tenchi Inyo no Kamae)

The Sanpo Hiden are versions of Flat Stance (Hira no Kamae) with different feelings, attitudes, and intents. There are three forms of Flat Stance (Hira no Kamae) used in Gyokko Ryu in which the defender's hands are positioned similar to mudra or kuji. The defender starts in one of these three levels of stances and moves into an attitude of Tenchi Inyou no Kamae which takes the form of one of the three core Kamae: Ichimonji, Jumonji, or Hicho. These levels of Hira no Kamae are sometimes ordered as Ten Ryaku no Maki, Chi Ryaku no Maki, and Jin Ryaku no Maki. They can also be seen as Joryaku no Maki, Churyaku no Maki, and Geryaku no Maki, which follow the sets of forms for Kosshijutsu taught in Gyokko Ryu.

The Posture of a Divine Prayer Transmited from Heaven (Ten Ryaku Uchu Gassho no Kamae)

The defender stands with his lower body positioned in Flat Stance (Hira no Kamae). The defender's hands are clasped together in front of his chest with his palms pressed together and his fingers interlocked. When in this posture, the defender should have an attitude of coming down upon the opponent.

The Posture of a Prayer of Defense from the Vault of Heaven and the Entire Earth (Chi Ryaku Futen Goshin Gassho no Kamae)

The defender stands with his lower body positioned in Flat Stance (Hira no Kamae). The defender's hands are clasped together in front of his chest and the fingers are bent at the fore-knuckles. The defender's right pinkie rests atop the left pinkie, the right ring finger rests upon the left ring finger, and the right middle finger rests on the left middle finger. The index fingers are kept straight with the tips touching each other, forming a steeple or triangle-like shape. When in this posture, the defender should have an attitude of raising the opponent up.

The Posture of Prayer on Man's Transmissions of Reaction and Repulsion (Jin Ryaku Hanno Hanitsu Gassho no Kamae)/
The Posture of Man's Transmissions on the Variations of the Transmissions of Earth, Water, and Fire
(Jin Ryaku Chi Sui Ka Henka Ryaku no Kamae)

The defender stands with his lower body positioned in Flat Stance (Hira no Kamae). The defender bends his left ring finger down and places his left thumb on top of the fingernail creating a loop. The other fingers of the left hand remain out straight and separated from each other. The defender sticks his right thumb through the loop so that the tip goes away from him. The right ring finger curls down and thumb goes on the back of it so that both hands mimic each other while being interlocked. Without letting go the defender twists his right hand so that the finger tips are pointing up and touching the fingertips of the left hand. When in this posture, the defender should have an attitude of going forward to stop the opponent.

A Posture of Heaven and Earth and Ying and Yang (Tenchi Inyo no Kamae)

Whereas the Sanpo Gassho stances express a feeling of waiting for an attack, this posture expresses an attitude of moving into attack or the act of receiving an attack. The posture is nearly the same as Primary-Heart Stance (Shoshin no Kamae), and the lower body is positioned exactly the same. The lead hand is out straight pointing at the opponent, and the rear hand is at the front of the rear hip. The fingers point straight out, but separated from each other. The ring finger is curled down with the thumb on top of the fingernail creating a loop.

Other Stances (Hoka Kamae)

Little is known about these stances other than the fact the hand positions are a sign to the gods. Also, these may not be from Gyokko Ryu, but Togakure Ryu.

Water and Fire Defensive Stance (Suika Goshin no Kamae)

The defender stands with his lower body positioned the same as Number-One Stance (Ichimonji no Kamae). The defender's lead arm is out straight so that his arm is level with his shoulder. There is just a slight bend in the elbow. The defender's rear arm is as far to the rear as possible and the arm is bent at the elbow so that the hand is just above the back of the head. (There should be nearly two feet between the rear hand and the back of the head). Each hand is held in the same shape except the palm of the lead hand faces to the inside while the palm of the rear hand faces the opponent. The index and pinkie fingers are held out straight while the middle and ring finger curl down so that the tips touch the top of the palm. The thumb goes across the bottom knuckles of the ring and middle finger.

Water and Fire Offensive Stance (Suika Kozei no Kamae)

The defender stands with his feet spread wide apart with his heels in line. Most of the defender's weight is on the lead leg and the rear leg is nearly straight. Each hand is held in the same shape. The index and pinkie fingers are held out straight while the middle and ring finger curl down so that the tips touch the top of the palm. The thumb goes across the bottom knuckles of the ring and middle finger. The defender holds both arms out straight with both hands together so that the tips of the index and pinkie fingers touch.

 

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