Gedan
下段
The lower height level a technique is aimed at: from the waist down. The best-known technique with this word is the block gedan barai.
Quick Facts
Word breakdown
Definition
Gedan (下段) means “lower level.” It is the lowest of the three height levels into which Japanese martial arts divide the targets of techniques. It covers the lower abdomen, hips and legs. The word is added to a technique's name, for example gedan barai is a sweep of an attack aimed at the lower level, one of the first blocks in karate. The meaning of gedan differs by rules. In WKF karate, the lower level is not a scoring area. In knockdown karate, for example in Kyokushin, kicks to the thighs (gedan mawashi geri) are among the main weapons. In kendo, gedan no kamae is a stance with the sword tip lowered toward the opponent's knees.
Relations to other terms
See also
The middle height level a technique is aimed at: the torso from neck to waist. In kendo, it is also the name of the basic stance with the sword tip toward the opponent.
Jodan上段The upper height level a technique is aimed at: head, face and neck. In kendo, it is also the name of the stance with the sword raised above the head.
Kamae構えGuard and ready stance in the Japanese martial arts. In kendo, five basic kamae are distinguished, from chudan to waki.