Togakure Ryu Kamae

Kamae (Stances)

All of these stances are to be practiced with metsubushi and shuriken hidden within the jacket, as well as with a shinobigatana in the belt at the left hip.

Natural Stance (Shizen no Kamae/ Shizentai)

The defender stands with feet about shoulder width apart, the knees slightly bent, the back straight, and his hands down by the sides. The eyes should look straight ahead.

First Stance (Ichi no Kamae)

The defender stands with his right foot in the rear so that both feet are wide apart in a deep stance. The defender's front foot should point forward very slightly to the right and the right foot points about 45 degrees to the rear. Most of the weight rests on the defender's rear leg and his hips are lowered as much as is possible without the rear sticking out. If the defender were to look down the knees should hide the feet. Though the defender's spine is straight, the defender's upper body should be leaned back slightly, utilizing the hips and not the spine. The defender's torso should be twisted to the left so that the hips are locked and the defender is square with the opponent. The defender's left hand is slightly to the right of his center line, points at the opponent's heart, and maintains a slight bend in the left elbow. (The lead arm is meant to look like a horizontal line which is the symbol for one in Japanese). The defender's fingers are relaxed, but held out straight and together. The defender's right hand is held about a hand's breath away from the chin and the palm faces inward toward the chin. Both of the defender's hands are kept in such a way that the enemy cannot see the palms. This is the left version of this stance, but this stance can also be done with the right side forward. The purpose of this stance is to prevent the enemy from getting close and the defender should maintain a feeling of keeping the opponent at bay until he wants the opponent to attack.

Flat Number-One Stance (Hira Ichimonji no Kamae)

The defender stands with his feet a little more than shoulder width apart, his knees bent, and his hips lowered. The defender holds his arms out horizontally to the sides with the elbows slightly bent and the palms facing the opponent. The defender would use this stance to wrap up an opponent, to slide past an opponent, or to hinder an opponent's movement.

Number-Eight Stance (Hachimonji no Kamae)

The defender stands with his lower body the same as First Stance (Ichi no Kamae), though the hips are generally not as low and the torso is not leaned back. The defender's lead hand points at the opponent's eyes and the rear forearm is raised vertically up toward the sky. The defender holds his rear hand open with the palm facing the opponent. This stance is used to throw uchibari also known as bo shuriken. A variation of this stance is Angry Tiger Stance (Doko no Kamae). When in this stance the defender maintains an intention of destroying the opponent.

All-Sides-Hidden Stance/ Eight-Ways-Hidden Stance (Happogakure no Kamae)

The defender stands with his left foot forward and his feet much closer together than First Stance (Ichi no Kamae) - about shoulder width apart. The defender's body weight is often leaned slightly forward on the left leg and the entire body is square with the opponent. The defender has both of his arms raised with his hands just above his forehead so that the arms are in the shape of a Japanese eight. This means that the arms are held at forty-five degree angles with the hands palm in. The defender holds his hands loosely with his fingers pointing up and metsubushi can be concealed in both hands. This stance is very similar to Jumonji no Kamae from Gyokko Ryu and in some organizations Happogakure no Kamae is called Hachimonji no Kamae. The defender maintains a feeling of using metsubushi (sight destroyers - i.e. fingers, weapons, powders) and escaping.

Escaping Stance (Tonso no Kamae)

The defender stands with his feet similar to First Stance (Ichi no Kamae) with the right foot in the lead. The posture is straighter in this stance and the body is not as low. The defender keeps the right hand inside the kimono jacket so as to throw shuriken or metsubushi while the defender's other hand is placed either on the outside of the jacket for support or kept on the saya. The defender maintains a feeling of throwing shuriken or metsubushi and escaping.

Angry Tiger Stance (Doko no Kamae)

The defender stands with his lower body the same as First Stance (Ichi no Kamae). The defender's lead hand points at the opponent's eyes, and the rear upper arm should be raised off to the side a little higher than the shoulder. The defender's rear forearm is held vertically with his hand pointing to the sky. The defender holds his rear hand closed in a fist. While in this stance, the defender can conceal metsubushi in his hand and throw it.

 

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