barsoomcore said:With a katana, the hand forms the end of a complex armature directing force from the torso out to the edge of the blade and against the target.
G. Silver, Gentleman, actually had this to say:
28. Remember in putting forth your sword point to make your space narrow, when he lies upon his Stocata, or any thrust, you must hold the handle thereof as it were along your hand, resting the pommel thereof in the hollow part of the middle of the heel of your hand towards the wrist, & the former part of the handle must be held between the forefinger & thumb, without the middle joint of the forefinger towards the top thereof, holding that finger somewhat straight out gripping round your handle with your other 3 fingers, & laying your thumb straight towards his, the better to be able to perform this action perfectly, for if you grip your handle close out-thwart in your hand, then you cannot lay your point straight upon his to make your space narrow, but that your point will still lie too wide to do the same in due time, & this is the best way to hold your sword in all kinds of variable fight.
But upon your guardant or open fight then hold it with full gripping it in your hand, & not laying your thumb along the handle, as some use, then shall you never be able to strongly to ward a strong blow.
He laid it out plain: When defending against someone who fights like a rapierist (one who "lies upon his Stocata"), one adopts a grip with the hand supinated, the forefinger extended (possibly hooked over the quillion), and the thumb along the blade--essentially the Italian rapier grip. When one is upon the guardant or open fight (old-fashioned hacking, so to speak), one must NOT use such a grip, since you cannot strongly defend against a strong blow.
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