What does shangdan mean in Japanese swordsmanship?

The above paragraph is a type of "Gou", which is a posture and a posture to prepare for fighting. Different "Gou" have their own characteristics, but they are all a posture to prepare for attack and easy to defend. When attacking, If it fails, it will return to the "constructing" posture.

The common "structures" of modern kendo are mainly the middle and upper sections. In the upper section, the left hand holds the sword with a fist in front of the forehead, the right hand is behind and above the left hand, and the sword is at an angle of about 45 degrees to the horizontal. , a posture with the left foot in front and the right foot behind. Compared with the middle part, it is easier to defend and attack the face, but the hands and trunk are more exposed. Because the distance of swinging the sword is shorter (compared to the middle section, the sword must be lifted from the middle of the body, and the upper section often swings the sword with one hand), and the sword is swung down from the upper part with greater force and faster speed, it is considered to be a type of sword that overcomes the middle section. "Construction". Last year's National Kendo Championships (formerly 14 provinces and municipalities) men's individual champion Zhang Zhonglin (3rd Dan) used the upper dan.

Compared with the upper section, the middle section is a kind of "with the right foot in front, the left hand holding the sword about a fist in front of the navel, the right hand holding the sword in front of the left hand, and the tip of the sword pointing upward toward the opponent's eyes, throat or chest. structure". This is the most basic stance in kendo. Learning kendo starts from the middle, so it is also the most commonly used stance. It is said that the mid-section is not as aggressive as the upper section, but the defense and care of each attacking part are more comprehensive. If you can maintain the mid-section perfectly, you will not be attacked by the opponent.

Other "structures", such as the eight phases, the lower section, the rib waist, etc., are difficult to see in actual kendo competitions, but they are often seen in kendo kata. In view of my limited rank and qualifications, and If you don’t understand it very well, you won’t mislead others. Corrections welcome.