Kamae

infobox martial art term
kanji = 構え
hiragana = かまえ
revhep = kamaeNihongo|Kamae|構え is a Japanese term used in martial arts. It translates approximately to "posture". The Kanji of this word means "base".

Kamae is to be differentiated from the word Nihongo|"tachi"|立ち, used in Japanese martial arts to mean stance. While "tachi" (pronounced "dachi" when used in a compound) refers to the position of the body from the waist down, kamae refers to the posture of the entire body, as well as encompassing one's mental posture (i.e., one's attitude).

Although it is technically a generic term, many modern styles use kamae as the name of a specific posture; usually that style's basic stance for sparring or self defense.

As a further note, adding the modifier "te" to the end of kamae makes it the command for nihongo|"assume the position"|構えて|kamaete. Thus, a karate instructor ordering his students to assume a front stance might shout, "Zenkutsu dachi", "kamaete"!"

In aikido

Kamae is a basic stance, also defined as natural. In it, body's three centers of gravity are aligned on a vertical axis of gravity. Those three centers begin with the head, then spinal column, and lower abdomen. This allows for a balanced stance, regardless of positioning of one's feet. It also allows one to move freely into any desired direction.cite book
last = Westbrook
first = Adele
coauthors = Ratti, Oscar
title = Aikido and the Dynamic Sphere
publisher = Charles E. Tuttle Company
date = 1970
pages = 146
location = Tokyo, Japan
isbn = 978-0804800044]

References