ox guard
A fighting stance where a character holds a sword at the side of their face/head with both hands (or less commonly one hand, with the other close to the hilt). This versatile stance allows them to attack or defend, depending on the incoming blow.
Depictions commonly include the blade in front of the character's face, and one arm crossing over the body.
The stance has names in several different languages. In German, it is known as the ochs (ox) guard; in Italian, posta de fenestra (window guard); in Japanese, kasumi no kamae (mist stance).
