Aikido: Ju Nana Hon Kata - 10. Waki Gatame
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Waki Gamae·Kaze Uta Budo Kai / Windsong Dojo
17 Basic Techniques: 10. Waki Gatame — side of chest arm lock As tori pushes through in the balance break, uke’s elbow n…
Waki Gamae
Genus脇構え
TraditionalTranslation: Side Stance
Overview
Waki-gamae (side guard) conceals the sword behind the body with the blade pointing rearward, hiding the weapon's length and the wielder's intent from the opponent. [1] This deceptive guard denies the opponent information about the sword's position, making it difficult to judge distance or predict the line of attack. [1],[2] Waki-gamae is associated with the element of wind (fū) in the five-element system and is considered a highly tactical guard used to lure opponents into committed attacks. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Waki gamae (side guard) conceals the shinai behind the body to hide its length and angle from the opponent. [1] It is primarily a psychological stance designed to provoke uncertainty about the attacker's intended target and timing. [2] Like hasso, it is used mainly in kendo kata rather than in modern free sparring. [2]
Lineage
Waki gamae conceals the sword behind the body, hiding the blade length from the opponent. It is a classical kenjutsu guard used in kata practice. [1]
Competition Record
Waki gamae is practised in kendo kata but is not used in modern kendo competition (shiai) due to its impracticality with a shinai. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Cutting, thrusting, or striking with a bladed weapon — edge alignment and trajectory determine cutting effectiveness
Joints Involved — Wrists (edge alignment and rotation), elbows (extension for thrusts, chambering for cuts), shoulders (arc of the cut), hips (power generation)
Force Vector — Varies — downward diagonal cut (kesa-giri), horizontal cut (yoko-giri), thrust (tsuki), or rising cut (kiri-age)
Weapon Mechanic — Edge alignment (hasuji) is critical — the blade must travel along its cutting plane for effective cuts
Position & Entry
From ready stance (chudan-no-kamae or equivalent) — Assume guard position, establish distance (ma-ai), execute the cut or thrust when an opening appears
From engagement distance — Use footwork to close to striking range, execute the technique with proper edge alignment (hasuji)
As counter — Wait for the opponent's attack, deflect or avoid, and counter-cut to the exposed target
Variants
Standard cut — primary cutting angle from the ready stance
Thrust (tsuki) — straight thrust targeting the throat, chest, or face
Rising cut (kiri-age) — upward diagonal cut from low to high
Diagonal cut (kesa-giri) — downward diagonal cut following the kimono line
Videos
Aikido: Koryu Dai San Kata - 50. Hasso-waki-gamae
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Waki Gamae·Kaze Uta Budo Kai / Windsong Dojo
Nick Lowry of Windsong dojo (http://www.windsongdojo.com) demonstrates how to use Hasso-waki-gamae. This is part of the …
![Masayuki Shimabukuro Samurai Swordsmanship: The Basics [1/11] CD1](https://img.youtube.com/vi/lddhRjqmcSg/hqdefault.jpg)
Masayuki Shimabukuro Samurai Swordsmanship: The Basics [1/11] CD1
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Waki Gamae·34r4k1
black belt Hall presents: the art of sword of the samurai in the famous Wizard Masayuki Simabukuro (Masayuki Shimabuku…
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3 videosWhat Instructors Say
Waki gamae is a foundational sword stance in Japanese kenjutsu and koryu swordsmanship characterized by a lowered guard position with the blade held at mid-body level. According to Kaze Uta Budo Kai's instruction on Koryu Dai San Kata, waki gamae functions as a defensive posture paired with hasso (an elevated mouth-level guard) in sword-on-sword exchanges, where the practitioner withdraws the knee and replaces it with the sword to defend against leg cuts while maintaining center-line control against incoming thrusts. The stance teaches principles of positional fading and luring opponents into overcommitment before executing lateral counter-strikes. Masayuki Shimabukuro's instruction (via 34r4k1) emphasizes that waki gamae exposes the knee as a primary target area, making it tactically relevant in kumitachi (two-person drills) and batojutsu cutting practice. The instructors agree that waki gamae represents a lower, more compact guard suitable for responding to close-range attacks and teaches timing-based defensive principles. Kaze Uta Bodo Kai provides detailed tactical sequencing of the stance's application in live exchange, while Shimabukuro contextualizes it within broader target nomenclature and cutting methodology in samurai swordsmanship.
Synthesized from 3 instructors
- Kaze Uta Budo Kai / Windsong Dojo — Aikido: Koryu Dai San Kata - 50. Hasso-waki-gamae: Detailed tactical application of waki gamae paired with hasso in sword-on-sword exchanges; demonstrated principles of center-line control, knee withdrawal mechanics, and defensive positioning against sequential thrusts and leg cuts.
- Kaze Uta Budo Kai / Windsong Dojo — Aikido: Ju Nana Hon Kata - 10. Waki Gatame: Addressed waki gatame as an arm-locking mechanism in grappling contexts; note that this video focuses on joint control rather than stance/kamae, representing a different technical meaning of 'waki' in aikido.
- 34r4k1 — Masayuki Shimabukuro Samurai Swordsmanship: The Basics [1/11] CD1: Contextualized waki gamae within cutting target areas and batojutsu practice; identified the knee (heisa) as the primary vulnerable target when in waki gamae, emphasizing its role in kumitachi and cutting drills.
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
9
Extreme9/10
Edged weapons cause fatal lacerations; historical battlefield mortality rates >30% (Amberger 1999)
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Advanced
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
— datotsu-bu
FIK Kendo Competition RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓Waki Gamae (side stance) hides the sword behind the right hip with the blade pointing backward — it conceals the sword's length and intent from the opponent (Draeger, Classical Budo, 1973)
✓Waki Gamae is the deceptive kamae: by hiding the sword behind the body, the opponent cannot judge its length or the timing of the attack
✓From Waki Gamae, the primary attack is the rising diagonal cut: the sword swings upward from behind the body in a powerful ascending arc
✓Waki Gamae is used in iaido kata: the practitioner draws and positions the sword behind the hip as part of a response to an attack from behind
✓The hidden sword creates uncertainty: the opponent cannot see the blade's position, making it difficult to judge distance and timing
✓In classical kenjutsu, Waki Gamae is used as a surprise stance: the sudden deployment of the hidden sword is difficult to defend
✓Waki Gamae teaches the principle of concealment in sword combat: not all information should be available to the opponent
Common Mistakes
!Hiding the sword too far behind the body — the sword must be accessible for quick deployment
!Not concealing the blade effectively — the point should not be visible to the opponent
!Holding Waki Gamae without intent to attack — the hidden sword must be deployed; holding it indefinitely reveals the concealment
!Using Waki Gamae without understanding the timing — the attack from Waki Gamae must be launched at the correct moment
!Telegraphing the attack from Waki Gamae — the deployment should be sudden and unexpected
!Using Waki Gamae as a primary stance — it is a specialized, tactical position for specific situations
!Not training the ascending cut from Waki Gamae — the specific cutting mechanics must be drilled for effectiveness
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Assume Guard (Kamae/Hut) — take the appropriate ready position with the weapon
2Measure Distance (Ma-ai) — establish correct striking distance
3Initiate Cut/Thrust — execute the technique with proper edge alignment or point control
4Follow Through (Zanshin) — maintain awareness and readiness after the technique
Sources & References
Primary Source
The Book of Five Rings (Miyamoto Musashi, 1645)
1BookThe Book of Five Rings (Musashi, 1645)
Alias sources — [1] Japanese Swordsmanship (Warner & Draeger, 1982) [2] The Book of Five Rings (Musashi, trans. Harris, 1974) [3] Secrets of the Samurai (Ratti & Westbrook, 1973)
2BookThe Art of Fencing (Barbasetti, 1932)
Effectiveness sources — [1] All Japan Kendo Federation, Kendo Official Manual (AJKF) [2] Warner, G. & Draeger, D., Japanese Swordsmanship: Technique and Practice (Weatherhill, 1982)
3OtherJapanese Martial Arts Standard Terminology (武道用語)
Established Japanese martial arts naming convention — native Japanese term (和語/漢語)
4CitationThe Book of Five Rings (Musashi, 1645)
Alias sources — [1] Japanese Swordsmanship (Warner & Draeger, 1982) [2] The Book of Five Rings (Musashi, trans. Harris, 1974) [3] Secrets of the Samurai (Ratti & Westbrook, 1973)
5CitationThe Art of Fencing (Barbasetti, 1932)
Effectiveness sources — [1] All Japan Kendo Federation, Kendo Official Manual (AJKF) [2] Warner, G. & Draeger, D., Japanese Swordsmanship: Technique and Practice (Weatherhill, 1982)
Community
Athletics
Requires
wrist control for edge alignment, grip endurance, footwork precision
Favours
quick wrists, strong forearms, good posture
Key muscles
forearm extensors/flexors, deltoids, core, calves
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main principle I should focus on when practicing waki gamae?
Control is the fundamental element you're looking for in waki gamae. According to Kaze Uta Budo Kai, the key is 'control, control, control'—and you should practice as many different ways to achieve it as possible, including variations like stretching your opponent out with no hands.
How should I position my hands when holding the sword in waki gamae?
You want to keep your hands at least an inch to an inch and a half away from the hand guard (suba), and grip from the top rather than from the sides—your thumbs should not be on top of the sword. This proper hand placement is essential for effective technique.
How does the Waki Gamae work?
Waki-gamae (side guard) conceals the sword behind the body with the blade pointing rearward, hiding the weapon's length and the wielder's intent from the opponent. This deceptive guard denies the opponent information about the sword's position, making it difficult to judge distance or predict the line of attack.
Where does the Waki Gamae come from?
Waki-gamae is one of the five classical kamae described in koryū kenjutsu traditions, corresponding to the wind element, which represents deception and adaptability. Musashi discusses the hidden guard's tactical value in the Book of Five Rings.
Is the Waki Gamae legal in competition?
FIK Kendo: legal — Legal, valid strike requires correct form (datotsu-bu), spirit (kiai), and fo…
How dangerous is the Waki Gamae?
Danger rating 9/10. Extreme — edged weapons cause fatal lacerations; historical battlefield mortality rates >30% (Amberger 1999)
How do I set up the Waki Gamae?
The standard setup chain: Assume Guard (Kamae/Hut) → Measure Distance (Ma-ai) → Initiate Cut/Thrust → Follow Through (Zanshin).
How do I defend against the Waki Gamae?
Standard counters include: Parry (Absetzen) — deflect the incoming blade with a counter-displacement / Void (Step Back) — withdraw from measure to avoid the cutting arc / Counter-Cut (Nachreisen) — strike into the opponent's opening during their attack.
What are the variants of the Waki Gamae?
Common variants: Standard cut (primary cutting angle from the ready stance); Thrust (tsuki) (straight thrust targeting the throat, chest, or face); Rising cut (kiri-age) (upward diagonal cut from low to high); Diagonal cut (kesa-giri) (downward diagonal cut following the kimono line).
How effective is the Waki Gamae in competition?
Waki gamae is practised in kendo kata but is not used in modern kendo competition (shiai) due to its impracticality with a shinai.
What are common mistakes when doing the Waki Gamae?
Top errors to watch for: Hiding the sword too far behind the body — the sword must be accessible for quick deployment / Not concealing the blade effectively — the point should not be visible to the opponent / Holding Waki Gamae without intent to attack — the hidden sword must be deployed; holding it indefinitely reveals the … / Using Waki Gamae without understanding the timing — the attack from Waki Gamae must be launched at the correct moment.
What are other names for the Waki Gamae?
The Waki Gamae is also known as Waki, Side-Concealed Stance, Hidden Sword Guard.