Gedan-gamae
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Gedan-gamae (下段構え:げだんがまえ?), or more formally, gedan no gamae, and frequently shortened simply to gedan, is one of the five stances in kendo, jōdan, chūdan, gedan, hassō, and waki. Gedan-gamae means "lower-level posture." This position is adopted when the sword is held out in front of the body pointing at the waist in kendo, or at the knee in kenjutsu.
It is considered to be a variant of chūdan-gamae and therefore appearing as defensive posture, but instead it is used to deflect blows and create striking opportunities. This stance is used as a transition from chūdan-gamae to a tsuki (thrust). It is seen as the "Kamae of Earth."[citation needed]
