Kamae - Are the basic stances used in Iaido, Jodo and Kendo.  These stances are more than just a physical posture, they are also a mental posture and state of awareness.  A technique will not be effective if it does not come from a proper and correct kamae.  The main kamae are;

Chudan no Kamae:  is the most basic posture because from it, an unlimited variation of attacks and defences are possible in response to anything the enemy may do. 

• the right foot is advanced a half step and the left heel is raised slightly

• the feet are parallel to each other

• the weight is on the balls of both feet

• the body  faces squarely forward

• the head is held straight and you look into the enemy's eyes

• the sword points at your opponents and the kamae is held relevant to your opponent at all times

• the left hand is about 4 inches from the body in front of your navel

• the hands and shoulders are relaxed

• and the weight is settled in the hips.

 

          Jodan no Kamae: is a posture in which you face the enemy squarely and suppress him with your spirit. You overpower his mind and control his movement so that he has no opportunity to attack you. The first gap in his mental awareness and physical defence is exploited. The essence of this posture is to cut down with your whole mind, spirit and body. 

Hidari (left) Jodan no Kamae:

• advance the left foot about half a step.

• hold the sword high above your head, pointing to your right rear

• the right hand is above and in front of your forehead

• the elbows are bent

• the sword is angled at approx 30 to 45 degrees

Migi (right) Jodan no Kamae:

• advance the right foot about a half step

• the sword is held high, pointing to your  rear

• the rest is the same as Hidari Jodan

Age-to:

• Age-To is a variant of Jodan where only one hand is on the shinai, and the other is held at the waist stabilizing the body. 

Gedan no Kamae:

This looks very much like a defence posture but is an attack posture able to deflect an opponents attack and create striking opportunities

• Take Chudan

• lower the point of the sword by lowering the right hand and flexing the left wrist

• the sword tip should point to the enemy's lower body, the tip should be just below your knees

• bend the right knee slightly 

Migi (right) Hasso no Kamae:

• advance the left foot forward a half step

• the body turns to face the right front but the head faces directly forward

• hold the sword in front of your right shoulder with the sword guard at the level of your jaw

• the sword is held angled to the rear  (note: there are many variations in the position of the sword)

• the edge of the sword faces forward

• the grip of both hands does not change from what is was in chudan

• relax the shoulders and hold the elbows naturally

• distribute your weight evenly over both feet, do not lean towards your left leg.

Hidari (left) Hasso no Kamae:

This is the same as Migi Hasso except the right foot is advanced and the sword held in front of the left shoulder.

 

Wakigamae

The key to this posture is to conceal the sword and expose the body to the enemy. 

Migi (right) Wakigamae:

• hold the sword on the right side

• turn the body to the right

• the left hand is in front of the centre of the body

Hidari (left) Wakigamae:

• hold the sword on the left side

• turn the body to the left

• the right hand is in front of the centre of the body