Tsuruashi-dachi
Name: Tsuruashi-dachi (鶴足立ち)
English: Crane stance
Introduction
Tsuruashi-dachi is a one-leg stance in which the entire body weight is carried by the support leg while the other foot is lifted and placed lightly against the inside of the support-leg knee.
Oyama describes crane stance as resembling a crane standing on one leg. In Mas Oyama’s Essentials of Karate the lifted sole is placed against the inside of the knee and the stance is kept ready for yoko-geri and uraken. It is also described as a transition between defense and attack.
Definition
- all weight carried on one leg
- the other leg lifted and collected
- compact upright body
- clear balance over the support leg
- readiness for rapid technique or transition
Structure and form
Feet and legs
Keep the support foot stable on the floor and the support leg strong without locking it. Place the lifted foot lightly against the inside of the support-leg knee. The lifted leg remains active rather than hanging passively.
Hips
Keep the hips collected over the support leg and prevent the pelvis from dropping sideways.
Trunk and spine
Keep the spine upright and the body centered over the small support base. Do not lean sideways to rescue balance.
Arms and hands
Arm position follows the technical context. Oyama’s link to yoko-geri and uraken emphasizes active readiness.
Gaze
Keep the gaze forward and steady without unnecessary tension.
Weight distribution
- 100% on the support leg
- 0% floor-bearing weight on the lifted leg
Center of gravity and balance
The small base makes vertical control, hip stability, body centering, and concentration especially important. Small errors in the foot, hips, head, or gaze immediately affect balance.
Technical purpose
Tsuruashi-dachi develops:
- one-leg support
- vertical body alignment
- a free leg ready for kicking or stepping
- transition readiness between defense and attack
- control over a small and unstable base
Use
Basic training
Train one-leg balance, hip control, vertical organization, and active lightness in the lifted leg.
Technical readiness
The unloaded leg can transition rapidly into yoko-geri, other one-leg movements, stepping, or directional change. Oyama also links the stance with uraken readiness.
Transition and kata
Tsuruashi-dachi often functions as a transitional rather than long-duration working stance. This is Karate also mentions crane-stance walking, showing that the principle extends into movement.
Relation to other stances
Compared with Nekoashi-dachi it is completely one-leg supported; compared with Kake-dachi it is vertically collected rather than hooked; compared with Sanchin-dachi it concentrates support on one leg; compared with Fudō-dachi it is clearly specialized rather than neutral.
Technical key points
- all weight on the support leg
- lifted foot lightly against the inside of the knee
- support leg strong but not locked
- hips collected over the base
- upright spine
- no side lean
- lifted leg active and controlled
- steady forward gaze
- light without becoming loose
Common errors
- pressing the lifted foot hard against the knee
- locking the support leg
- allowing the hip to drop sideways
- leaning to recover balance
- letting the lifted leg hang passively
- unstable gaze
- excessive shoulder and neck tension
Comment
Tsuruashi-dachi is a small but revealing stance. It teaches lightness without loss of structure and makes balance, hip control, and vertical organization immediately visible.