Chūdan-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.

[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.

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.

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.

[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.