Jōdan-no-kamae

Jōdan-no-kamae (上段の構え:じょうだんのかまえ), also known as jōdan-gamae, and frequently shortened simply to jōdan, is a basic kenjutsu posture.

In jōdan-no-kamae, the sword is raised above the head with the tip (kissaki; 切先) pointing back and the blade facing up, in readiness to strike.

There are commonly two types of jōdan-no-kamae, left (hidari; 左) and right (migi; 右), referring to which foot is out in front.

In order to protect the vulnerable area, a jōdan user must have a very fiery spirit to "scare off" the opponent.

Similar stances to Jōdan-no-kamae are also found in German and Italian schools of the longsword.

One-handed variants also exist for the single sword (Schwert) and falchion (Messer).

Another tradition that includes this posture is the English master George Silver's teachings, where it is known as the "open fight."

Two kenjutsu practitioners face off, both in jōdan-no-kamae, at the Devonian Botanical Garden at the University of Alberta , Edmonton , Alberta , Canada (June 5, 2005).