footwork

[JeffGentry]

ok am new to this and was reading Karen Rose's question about footwork and am having a little trouble feeling the foot work seem's akward and seen people talking about the sengo and was wondering what that is?

[leam hall]

The short answer is an 8 direction star shape, sort of an "X" dropped over a "+". You can move any direction; forward, back, to either side, and to any of the 45 degree angles. Non-linear mobility is very useful in a conflict because you can get out of the way of an attack and still be close enough to respond.

In the diagram above it also refers to angles to attack someone. All in all a useful mental concept.

[JeffGentry]

thank's for the help have seen the first diagram just didn't know what it was called or was but it does make sense now, and have seen the "x"over "+" also thank's though guy's am sometime's slow on the uptake, have been reading about sword's and fencing and such for year but i tend to remember these thing's better when i do them .lol

[Matt Shields]

Can anyone explain the relevance of the Elephant carrying the tower?

Vadi's Segno with the horizontal swords crossing at the neck seems to make a bit more sense.

[Stuart McDermid]

Hi Jeff,

The Elephant carrying the tower represents stability.
Cheers,
Stu.

[Craig Peters]

Strength
I am the Elephant and have a castle for a load.
I do not fall on my knees, nor miss my step.

The elephant is accompanied by the quote above in Fiore's text. Each of the animals in the diagram is representative of a trait that Fiore considered necessary for a swordsman. The quotes for the other traits are as follows:

Speed
I, the Tiger, am quick at running and dodging,
And the lightning from heaven cannot overtake me.

Prudence
No other creature can see clearer than I, the Lynx,
Who always brings posture and measure.

Courage
Nobody has more courage than I, the Lion,
And everyone I challenge to battle.

[JeffGentry]

well figured out the elephant, but just thought the cat's were kind of representing the speed and agility like a cat.