SHIZENTAI GAMAE
Hand positions
Hand positioning in Aikido may fall in three
categories on this page as: Jodan, Chudan,
and Gedan. Observe that each position has its own merits. The
Jodan positioning may prepare for upper body combat tactics in defense and attack, while
Chudan prepares for mid body and Gedan concentrates on lower body combat.
The most practical and best defensive hand
positions that nearly all Aikidoists agree on is having one hand at eye level and the
other at chudan or gedan level. This protects the upper and lower body simultaneously and
serves to prepare the combatant for the most opportune hand positioning in case there is a
need to use hand attacks. Here, either hand has an equal chance to strike or defend.
The three hand positions below illustrate the
most conventional Aikido positions.
The above hand positioning is called Jodan
and the hands are held at eye-level.
The above hand positioning is held at mid-body
and is called Chudan.
The above hand positioning is held at low
level and is called Gedan
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