Waki

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Waki, or more formally, Waki Gamae, is one of the five stances in Kendo. Others are Jodan, Chudan, Gedan, and Hasso. Waki gamae is a stance involving the swordsman hiding the length of ones own blade behind their legs only exposing the bottom of the hilt to the opponent. This stance was common when there was no standard length of sword and was often used as a deterant to any opponents who did know the range of the sword being hidden and could be used as a sort of bluff technique.

This stance is prominent in kata number 4.

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