Interesting thing happened at our last Saturday class. One of my students asked the names of the three Hanbo kamae I had shown. For a moment, I completely drew a blank. Nothing at all came to mind. Then suddenly my mind was racing with hanbo movements, forms, drills, etc. Like my mind was racing through an entire library of knowledge, seeking a few words amidst all the information.

Just as quickly, I heard Hatsumi-soke saying, “The name isn’t important.” Then:

Katayaburi no kamae is when you hold the hanbo at hip level in both hands parallel to the ground.

Munen muso no kamae is when you hold the hanbo in one hand like a cane.

Otonashi no kamae is when you hold the hanbo behind your back, parallel to the ground at hip level.

Hope that helps!