Sai (weapon)

The ''sai'' ( Japanese: 釵, ; Chinese: 鐵尺, ) is a pointed melee weapon from Okinawa. It was historically utilized in martial arts such as Okinawan kobudō and southern Chinese martial arts, and has been absorbed into the curriculum of many modern martial arts. Although similar weapons can be found in other parts of Asia, the sai is the Okinawan take on the basic concept and should not be confused with the other weapons. The sai is primarily used for stabbing, striking, parrying and disarming opponents. It consists of a pointed metal main prong, that projects from a one-handed handle, two shorter metal side prongs, which project from the opposite sides of the base of the main prong and point in the same direction as it, and a blunt metal pommel fixed to the bottom end of the handle. The sai came to international attention when Okinawan kobudō and karate reached international popularity in the mid-20th century.

History

Before the creation of the sai in Okinawa, similar weapons were already being used in other Asian countries including India, Thailand, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Reprint
''Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts''
. New York; Tokyo: Kodansha International. . The basic concept of this kind of weapon was brought to Okinawa over time from one or several of these places. However, the sai is the Okinawan take on this weapon concept, and should not be mixed with the other similar weapons.

Some sources theorize that this weapon concept may be based on the Indian trisula, an ancient Hindu-Buddhist symbol that may have spread along with Hinduism and Buddhism into South-East Asia. The word ''trisula'' itself can refer to either a long or short-handled trident.

In Okinawa, the ''sai'' was used by the domestic police (''ufuchiku'') to arrest criminals and for crowd control. Use of the ''sai'' in Okinawan kobudō was approved in 1668 by Moto Chohei, an Okinawan prince.

Japan had a similar weapon, the ''jitte'', which was originally used as a blunt weapon by guards in the Shogun's palace, and it was subsequently issued to senior officials as a badge of office. Edo period examples of the ''jitte'' typically have only a single hook. The relationship between the ''sai'' and ''jitte'' is unclear.

Parts (in Okinawan)

*'' Monouchi'', the metal main prong of the ''sai'', that is either round or faceted.
*''Saki'', the sharp point of the main prong.
*'' Yoku'', the two shorter metal side prongs of the ''sai'', which usually point in the same direction as the main prong, with the exception of the ''manji sai'' developed by Taira Shinken, which has the direction of one of the side prongs reversed, causing the weapon to be reminiscent of a swastika (''manji'').

*'' Tsume'', the sharp points of the two side prongs.
*'' Moto'', the center point between the two side prongs.
*'' Tsuka'', the one-handed handle of the ''sai'', which is usually wrapped with different materials or given different treatments to add more grip to it.
*'' Tsukagashira'', the blunt metal pommel of the ''sai''.

Technique

The ''sai'' is a weapon typically wielded in pairs, with one in each hand. In modern Okinawan Kobudo, five ''kata'' (choreographed patterns of movements in martial arts) are commonly taught, including two ''kihon kata.''

The utility of the ''sai'' is given away by its distinctive trident-like shape. It is a weapon primarily used for fast stabbing and striking, but being very versatile, it has many other uses as well. These include a variety of blocks, parries and captures against attackers from all directions and height levels. Use of the sharp points, the main prong and the pommel is emphasized, as well as rapid grip changes for multiple fast stabs and strikes.

One commonly depicted technique in ''sai'' kata is to use of one of the ''sai''s side prongs to entrap an opponent's weapon and then disarm them of it. Some variations of the ''sai'' have the two side prongs pointing inwards towards the main prong to facilitate this maneuver. While this does not completely immobilize the attacker, it encumbers them in close quarters.

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

* Okinawan kobudō
* '' Nunti Bō''
* Trident
* Trishula

References

Further reading

*

External links

How to Use Sai Instructional Video

Mr. Yoong Swee Yin - Double Sai - Shuang Chai 雙 釵
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{{Chinese weapons
Tridents
Weapons of Okinawa
Weapons of Japan
Weapons of China
Weapons of Korea
Weapons of Thailand