KOBUDO – SAI Part 1

                                                            KOBUDO – SAI

                                                                         Part 1

                                                                 By Fumio Demura

The sai is one of the most popular weapons in the art of Kobudo. Its shape and unique versatility offers a great training challenge for any dedicated practitioner. Originally, the sai was used to drag the soil by one farmer, while another would plant the seed. The farmer, when attacked by the Samurai, would use this tool to protect himself against the sword. It was normal for a farmer to carry even three sai with him. This was based on the fact that sometimes the farmer could actually throw one sai toward his opponent. This surprise action was the key for victory in many encounters. The third sai usually was carried in the belt.

In the beginning, the tip of the sai was sharp and only lately has been blunted and rounded for training purposes. Its techniques are very dangerous, and a thrust to the neck or the face can be lethal in a real fight. Since it is no longer used as a real weapon for combat, the material has changed and now we can find great steel and chromed-plated sai in many martial arts stores around the world.

The sai is formed of two important parts, the curved prong and the main stem. When this weapon was introduced to Japan it was called “jutte” and it bore a single prong at the handle. Japanese police found this weapon to be very effective in controlling aggressors and they started to use it more and more.

In many ways, the techniques used in sai training are very similar to the movements used in Karate. They follow similar principles and they require a sense of “kime” like the empty hand actions. One important point that the practitioner should develop in training with the sai is dexterity in the fingers. The fast change of grasps and different gripping methods require from the practitioner a high level of proficiency in maneuvering the weapon. This is the reason why, usually, no beginners are taught the use of the sai. 

End of Part 1

To learn more about the art of SAI by Fumio Demura:

http://martialartsdigital.com/fumio-demura-kobudo-...