"Kamae" should not be looked at as only a ready position for kumite. When this happens one loses the true meaning of "Kamae". While it is true that this term is generally used for all ready positions assumed prior to engaging with an opponent (kumite), it is important to understand that this position, like most other areas of the martial arts, should not be a physical position only, but must be a mental position as well. If this physical position is looked at only during kumite a possibly bigger picture is lost. As instructors we must teach our students that a "Kamae" position must be a "mentally'' ready position as well as a "physically" ready position. It can and should be used in one's everyday life and this is but one more example of how the study of a martial art can enhance and protect our everyday lives. If this ready position we call "Kamae" is used properly then we are constantly prepared for possible danger in our lives. "Kamae" goes hand in hand with another term used in the martial arts, "Zanchin", which is understood to mean a constant awareness of our surroundings. Using "Zanchin" to detect danger if one needs to quickly respond to this danger the "Kamae" must be already in place, both mentally and physically. We have often heard people remark "You caught me off guard'' or "I should not have let my guard down" these statements express losing one's "Kamae". Many pictures of the old martial arts masters will show them standing in what they themselves call "Kamae". When these pictures are observed closely it is evident that the masters are not standing in what we today would consider a modern "Kamae" (fighting) posture. Are they wrong? No, this was their "Kamae" because they did not separate the act of kumite from the their normal mental state. This is why many times their "Kamae" looks as if they are simply standing there staring into space when in fact by not appearing to be ready for action they were ready for all action and by not looking at any one thing in particular they see all things clearly. I have heard senior martial artist say. "one should train so as to never lose their kamae". It is evident that in true Budo the "Kamae" is ever present and does not have to look like a fighting posture. I remember a senior martial artist in Hawaii who once asked me "Show me your kamae". When I took a fighting posture he smiled and said "That's nice, but you don't fully understand kamae do you?" I remarked that I didn't understand what he meant and respectfully asked him to show me his "Kamae". Expecting him to step into a fighting posture I was surprised by his answer. He stood there looking me straight in the eyes and said. "You have already seen it" and then he walked away. I didn't understand what he meant and he did not give me the answer. It would be several years and many hundreds of training hours before I would realize what he meant by "You have already seen it." One day while looking at some photos of old martial arts masters the answer to his puzzling statement came to me in a flash. (Anyone who has trained for any length of time will recall times that they too have had this experience. The answer to some unanswered question in their training suddenly appears.") At this point I came to realize that in order for one to live the martial arts the training must become a part of their life and life must be part of their training.

James Davenport
Rokku Dan, Renshi
Deputy Chief Instructor
United States Chito-ryu Karate Federation

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