Sai (weapon)

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For other uses, see Sai.
Two antique sai: an Okinawan octagonal sai and a smaller Malay Tekpi

The sai (釵, lit. 'Hairpin') is a traditional Okinawan melee weapon used for striking and blocking. It is used in ninjutsu and kobujutsu. The basic form of the weapon is that of a sharp metal prong with two curved sideprongs (yoku) projecting from the handle (tsuka). There are many different types of sai with varying prongs for trapping and blocking.

History[]

Before its arrival in Okinawa, the sai was already being used in other Asian countries including India, Thailand, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia.[1] It may have been brought to Okinawa from one or several of these places simultaneously.[citation needed] Based on the Indian trisula, early evidence in the form of Japanese art shows that the predates[when?] the sai's use in Okinawa and China.[1] The word trisula itself can refer to either a long or short-handled trident. Because the trisula was created in South Asia, it is possible that the sai originated in India and spread along with Hinduism and Buddhism. This is supported by the fact that the trisula is important as a Hindu-Buddhist symbol.

In Okinawa the sai was used by domestic police (ufuchiku) to arrest criminals and for crowd control. Use of the sai in Japanese martial arts was improved in 1668 by Moto Chohei, an Okinawan prince.[2]

The sai eventually reached Japan in the form of the jitte, which usually has only a single prong although some jitte have two prongs like a sai. Both are stabbing weapons, used for stabbing and striking over different positions on the body.

Parts of the sai[]

Tsuka of the Okinawan sai
  • Monouchi, the main prong of the sai, this can be round or faceted.
  • Yoku, the prong like side guards which are usually symmetrical but the manji design developed by Taira Shinken employs oppositely-facing yoku resembling the swastika (manji) from which it takes its name.
  • Tsume, the tip of the side guard (yoku).
  • Moto, the actual center point between the two side guards.
  • Tsuka, the handle of the sai. The tsuka can be wrapped with different materials such as cord or ray skin (same) to provide a grip. This tsuka is 5 inches (13 cm) long.
  • Tsukagashira, the butt end of the handle (tsuka).
  • Saki, the tip or point of the sai which is usually sharp.[3]

Technique[]

Manji design sai

The sai is typically used in pairs, with one in each hand.[1] Five kata are commonly taught, including two kihon kata. The utility of the sai as a weapon is reflected in its distinctive shape. It is a weapon used for fast stabs but it also has many defensive techniques. The style includes a variety of blocks, parries and captures against attackers from all directions and height levels. Use of the point, knuckle and main prong is emphasized, as well as rapid grip changes for multiple strikes and blocks.

There are several different ways of wielding the sai, which give it the versatility to be used both lethally and non-lethally. One way to hold it is by gripping the handle with all of the fingers and pinching the thumb against the joint between the handle bar and the main prong. This allows one to manipulate the sai so that it can be pressed against the forearm and also help avoid getting the thumb caught in the handle when blocking an attack. The change is made by putting pressure on the thumbs and rotating the sai around until it is facing backwards and the index finger is aligned with the handle.

The knuckle end is good for concentrating the force of a punch, while the long prong can be wielded to thrust at enemies, to serve as a protection for a blow to the forearm. In practice, some prefer to keep the index finger extended in alignment with the main prong regardless of whether the knuckle end or the main prong is exposed. The finger may be straight or slightly curled. Used in this way, the other fingers are kept on the main prong, with the thumb supporting the handle.

One technique commonly depicted is the use of one of a sai's hooks to entrap and lock an attacker's blade. Some variations of sai have their hooks pointing inwards towards the main prong to facilitate this maneuver. While this does not completely immobilize the attacker, it encumbers them in close quarters, especially if the defender can use twisting techniques to disarm the attacker.

The grips described above leverage the versatility of this implement as both an offensive and a defensive weapon. Both grips facilitate flipping between the point and the knuckle being exposed while the sai is held in strong grip positions.

Because there is no morphological plural in Japanese, the word "sai" refers to either a single weapon or multiple. Nicho sai refers to a kata that uses two sai, while sancho sai kata refers to kata using three sai.

See also[]

Further reading[]

  • Fumio Demura, Sai: Karate Weapon of Self-Defense

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c Donn F. Draeger & Rober W. Smith (1969). Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts. ISBN 978-0-87011-436-6.
  2. ^ The Secret Royal Martial Arts of Ryukyu, Kanenori Sakon Matsuo, BoD – Books on Demand, Mar 31, 2005 P.81
  3. ^ Black Belt, Aug 1993, Vol. 31, No. 8, p.51, ISSN 0277-3066, Published by Active Interest Media, Inc.

External links[]

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