Overview of Kurai 位の事

Kurai (位) is commonly referred to as “Kamae (構え)” in Japanese. Kurai, or Kamae, is a posture or stance in martial arts. To explain in more detail, it is “a body posture that is prepared for immediate and optimal movement.” Tenshinryu avoids using the word Kamae because it is subjective and there is a risk of giving a fixed impression. (Of course, even in schools that use Kamae’s terminology, many of them deny that Kamae can be fixed.) In actual combat, Kurai must be relative, optimizing and changing its form flexibly based on the enemy’s posture (Kamae), the surrounding environment, conditions, weather, and even its own conditions (how you are feeling, whether you are tired, injured, etc.). Of course, the basic form of Kurai in Tenshinryu is fixed, but that is for learning the principles. The Kanji (漢字, Chinese character) for “位 (I, or Kurai)” has the meaning of expressing a state or situation, “the place or position where an object is placed, or its position in relation to others.” In the tactics of war (兵法 Heiho, 兵術 Heijutsu), Kurai has also been used as a term meaning “position to control the enemy or formation (陣形 Jinkei).” It is for this reason that Tenshinryu avoids the term “Kamae” and uses “Kurai.”

In reality, however, the word “Kamae” is a verb, “Kamaeru (to set up)” and is sometimes used in explanations during practice. It does not mean “absolutely prohibit the use of the term.” However, as mentioned above, please keep in mind that the official word is Kurai, as it contains important ideas of style. Also, this “general teaching about Kurai” is called Miden (身伝) in Tenshinryu. It means that it teaches the fundamental body (posture) that is necessary for fighting.