Koto Ryu Kurai Dori Goho

Five Ways of Taking Proper Position (Kurai Dori Goho)

These stances are known as the five methods and the defender often moves like a crab from side to side using cross-stepping (Yoko Aruki) when in these stances.

Right Correct-Eyes Stance (Migi Seigan no Kamae)/ Number-One Stance (Ichimonji no Kamae)

The defender stands with his feet wide and his right foot in front so that the toes are pointing at the opponent. The defender's left foot points out perpendicularly to the right and holds about sixty percent of the body weight (compare this to Gyokko Ryu where the body weight is either distributed evenly or slightly forward). The position of the defender's feet is very important in this stance, because the feet determine the correct distance between the defender and opponent. Therefore, the position of the defender's feet must be always ready to change in order to adapt to the correct distance. Because of this, Migi Seigan no Kamae is sometimes depicted with the left foot crossed in front of the right. The defender's right arm should be held out nearly straight with a slight bend in the right elbow, and the defender's right hand is held open, pointed at the opponent's heart. The defender's left hand is in the shape of a sword-hand (V-shape - Shuto Ken) with the fingertips open and lying on the right bicep between the elbow and shoulder. The defender's left hand could also be held up near the chin with the palm of the hand facing in. When in this stance, the defender must be ready for any type of attack because this posture is used for receiving attacks. Regardless, the defender must maintain a Shadow Mindset or Shadow Stance which means the defender should be able to assume the mindset or feeling of the other four kamae while in this stance. In this way, the defender is able to change and adapt in this stance the same way a shadow does to the light.

Left Correct-Eyes Stance (Hidari Seigan no Kamae)

The defender stands with his feet wide and his left foot in front so that the toes are pointing at the opponent. The defender's right foot points out perpendicularly to the left and holds about sixty percent of the body weight. The defender's body is often leaned slightly back. The defender's left hand is open and directed at the opponent's heart while the right hand is held in a sword-hand (Shuto Ken) with the fingertips lying on the left shoulder. The position of the rear hand is not important, for it can be held at the hip, at the bicep, or even over the head like in Surrounding Stance (Hoko no Kamae). The basic movement for this stance is linear from left to right or by pivoting at the left side. Hidari Seigan no Kamae is used for striking, especially to unseen places.

Flat Number-One Stance (Hira Ichimonji no Kamae)

The defender stands on his left leg with his right foot placed on the inside of his left knee. Both of the defender's arms are raised horizontally at the side. Hira Ichimonji no Kamae can also be done reversed with the left leg up and the right leg down or with both feet on the ground near each other. The defender must maintain a feeling of spinning like a top and this motion is used for receiving attacks. The purpose of this stance is for the defender to show the opponent an opening, deceive the opponent, and strike the opponent with his fingertips or fists.

Surrounding Stance (Hoko no Kamae)

The defender stands with one foot just in front of the other, the feet about two feet apart, the hips low, and the weight evenly distributed between both legs. (The left leg is often in front). The defender's arms are raised above the head about shoulder width apart with a slight bend in the elbows and the hands open. The defender's hands should be held loosely, but can take the shape of a claw fist (Shako Ken) like a bear preparing to strike. The height of the hands vary, but they are usually held at least head height. Hoko no Kamae is useful for smaller people who want to appear larger. When in this stance, the defender must maintain a feeling of changing into an attack at any moment or jumping in with both hands and feet.

Defensive Stance (Bobbi no Kamae)

The defender stands with both feet slightly closer together than Right Correct-Eyes Stance (Migi Seigan no Kamae) with the right foot pointing at the opponent and the left foot pointing outwards. The defender's right arm is extended towards the opponent with the hand in a sword-hand (Shuto Ken) or balled into a fist. The defender's left fist rests at the left hip or at the bellybutton. The defender could also stand with both heels together so that the feet are perpendicular to each other and the left leg is forward. The defender's right fist would be held at the hip, and the defender's left arm would be extended out straight. When in this stance, the defender must maintain a feeling of calmness and dignity, which is why only the right fist is held up without any hostility.

Additional Stances (Hoka Kamae)

Natural Stance (Shizen no Kamae)

The defender stands with his feet shoulder with apart, his heels in line, and his body square with the opponent. The defender's hands rest down in front of his hips. The defender's body weight is slightly forward, so that the defender is on the balls of his feet without the opponent knowing. This will allow the defender to move quickly. Even though the defender's body weight is slightly forward, the defender's back is straight and his upper body is not leaned forward. The defender should have a slight bend in his knees.

Peeping Stance (Sukimi no Kamae)

The defender begins in Flat Number-One Stance (Hira Ichimonji no Kamae) with both feet on the ground and both arms raised. The defender then raises his left foot and sets it down to the side of his right foot so his legs are crossed in an "X" shape. This posture is essentially half of a cross step (Yoko Aruki).

 

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