- For other meanings of the word 'sai', see Sai (disambiguation).
Sai (釵) is the Ryukyu name for a traditional Okinawan[1] weapon also used in India, China, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. The Ryukyuan languages are spoken in the Ryukyu Islands, and make up a subfamily of the Japonic Language family. is one of Japan 's southern prefectures, and consists of hundreds of the Ryukyu Islands in a chain over 1000 km long which extends southwest from Kyūshū India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National The Republic of Indonesia ( (Republik Indonesia is a Country in Southeast Asia. For the biogeographical region see Malesia Malaysia (məˈleɪʒə or /məˈleɪziə/ is a country that consists of thirteen states and The Kingdom of Thailand (ˈtaɪlænd ราชอาณาจักรไทย, râːtɕʰa-ʔaːnaːtɕɑ̀k-tʰɑj
The basic form of the weapon is that of a pointed, rod-shaped baton, with two long, unsharpened projections (called yoku) attached to the handle. For other uses see Baton. BATON is a Type 1 Block cipher, used by the United States government to secure all A handle is a part of or attachment to an object that can be moved or used by hand The very end of the handle is called the knuckle.
Sai are constructed in a variety of forms. Traditional sai are round, while some reproductions have adapted an octagonal middle prong. Regular octagons A regular octagon is an octagon whose sides are all the same length and whose internal angles are all the same size The yoku are traditionally symmetrical, however, the Manji design developed by Taira Shinken employs oppositely facing yoku. Symmetry generally conveys two primary meanings The first is an imprecise sense of harmonious or aesthetically-pleasing proportionality and balance such that it reflects beauty or was a Japanese martial artist born as in 1897 on Kume Island in the Ryūkyū Archipelago
It is believed that the sai was always a weapon. Although some hypothesize that it originated as an agricultural tool used to measure stalks, plow fields, plant rice, or to hold cart wheels in place, evidence for this is limited. The plough ( American spelling plow; both plaʊ is a Tool used in Farming for initial cultivation of soil in preparation for sowing seed Rice is a Cereal foodstuff which forms an important part of the diet of many people worldwide and as such it is a staple food for many
The sai is known to have been used in other parts of Asia before its arrival on Okinawa, likely originating from Indonesia. In Malay the sai is known as a "chabang" (also spelled cabang/tjabang, meaning branch) and is thought to derive from the Indian trident. The Malay language ( ISO 639-1 code MS is an Austronesian language spoken by the Malay people and people of other ethnic groups who reside in the A trident (ˈtrаɪdənt also called a leister or gig, is a three- pronged Spear. The chabang spread through the rest of Indo-China through trade, and may have reached Okinawa from one or more of these places simultaneously. Indochina, or the Indochinese Peninsula, is a region in Southeast Asia. In China it might have been known as the San-Ku-Chu. San-Ku-Chu is a possible ancestor of the saï.
Contents |
Use
The sai's utility as a weapon is reflected in its distinctive shape. With skill, it can be used against a long sword by trapping the sword's blade in the sai's handle. There are several different ways of wielding the sai in the hands, which give it the versatility to be used both lethally and non-lethally. The sai is primarily used as a striking weapon or for short jabs into the solar plexus. The celiac plexus (also known as the solar plexus) is a complex network of nerves (a Plexus) located in the abdomen The sai also has many defensive uses in blocking other weapons.
One way to hold it is by gripping the handle with all of your fingers and pinching your thumb against the joint between the handle bar and the shaft of the sai. This allows you to manipulate the sai so that you can press it against your forearm and also allow you to avoid getting your thumb caught in the handle when blocking an attack. The change is made by putting pressure on your thumbs and rotating the sai around until it is facing backwards and your index finger is aligned with the handle. The sai is generally easier to handle in this position. The knuckle end is good for concentrating the force of a punch, while the long shaft can be wielded to thrust at enemies, to serve as a protection for a blow to the forearm, or to stab as one would use a common dagger.
In practice, some prefer to keep the index finger extended in alignment with the center shaft regardless of whether the knuckle end or the middle prong is exposed. The finger may be straight or slightly curled. Used in this way, the other fingers are kept on the main shaft, with the thumb supporting the handle. [2]
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.
The sai is typically used in pairs, with one in each hand. [3] In the United States a common style is Yamanni Ryu. Yamanni Ryu (山根流 (also Yamanni-Chinen Ryu is a form of Okinawan kobudo whose main weapon is the bo, a non-tapered cylindrical staff Five common kata are typically taught, including two kihon kata. For other uses see Kata (disambiguation. is a Japanese word describing detailed choreographed patterns of movements practiced either solo or is a Japanese term meaning "basics" or "fundamentals The style includes a variety of blocks, parries, strikes, and captures against attackers from all directions and height levels. Use of the point, knuckle and central bar is emphasized, as well as rapid grip changes for multiple strikes and blocks.
The jitte is the one-pronged Japanese equivalent of the (Okinawan) sai, and was used predominantly by the Japanese police during the Edo period. The, literally meaning "ten-hand" (ie the weapon with the power of ten hands is a specialized Weapon which was used by law enforcement officers (called Okapiki Police are agents or agencies usually of the executive, empowered to enforce the law and to effect public and social order through the legitimatized use of force The, also referred to as the Tokugawa period (徳川時代 Tokugawa-jidai) is a division of Japanese history running from 1603 to 1868 It is a featured weapon in the curriculum of several Japanese Jujutsu and koryu schools. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. literally meaning the " art of softness " or "way of yielding" is a collective name for Japanese martial art styles consisting of grappling is a Japanese word that is used in association with the ancient Japanese martial arts.
Popular Culture
In Hollywood, however, sai are portrayed as much more offensive weapons, being used as swords, daggers, and as throwing darts. Elektra Natchios, usually referred to only by her first name Elektra, is a Fictional character in publications from Marvel Comics. Little play is given to striking with the knuckle. Thus, the traditionally rounded weapon is portrayed with a blade. For example, Jennifer Garner, who played the role of Elektra Natchios in the film Daredevil and its spin-off Elektra, holds them incorrectly with the index and middle finger straddling the middle prong inside the yoku. Jennifer Garner Affleck This would involve changing both her last and middle names Elektra Natchios, usually referred to only by her first name Elektra, is a Fictional character in publications from Marvel Comics. Daredevil is a 2003 Superhero film written and directed by Mark Steven Johnson. A spin-off (or spinoff) is a new Organization or Entity formed by a split from a larger one such as a Television series based on a pre-existing Elektra is a 2005 action movie directed by Rob Bowman. It is a Spin-off to the 2003 movie A grip with 2 or 3 fingers inside between the yoku and the middle shaft facilitates a slightly more flashy array of finger twirls. However, it eliminates certain defensive possibilities and knuckle strikes.
Sai feature heavily in movies: Raphael of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles uses twin sai as his weapons of choice. Raphael (or Raph) a Fictional character, is one of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT Mileena from the Mortal Kombat series uses sai as her primary weapons. Mileena is a Fictional character in the Mortal Kombat Fighting game series Li Mei in Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance, Sareena in Mortal Kombat: Tournament Edition and Khameleon in Mortal Kombat Trilogy also use sai. Sareena is a Fictional character from the Mortal Kombat Fighting game series Khameleon is a Fictional character in the Mortal Kombat Fighting game series Mortal Kombat Trilogy is a Fighting game developed and published by Midway. In the Last Bronx series, sai are also wielded by Nagi. Last Bronx ~Tokyo Bangaichi~ (ラストブロンクス -東京番外地- simply known as Last Bronx outside Japan sometimes abbreviated to "LasBro" Furthermore, Gabrielle (Renee O'Connor) from Xena: Warrior Princess uses a pair of sai as her primary weapons in seasons 5 and 6. Gabrielle is a Fictional character in Xena Warrior Princess, played by Renée O'Connor. Xena Warrior Princess is an American Television series that aired from September 15 1995 until June 18 2001 Then in the movie Bulletproof Monk, the villainess Nina uses a single black sai in her fight with Jade. Bulletproof Monk is a 2003 martial arts comedy fantasy Film starring Chow Yun-Fat, Seann William Scott and Jaime King
Sai also feature prominently in the two battles between Anck-Su-Namun and Nefertiri/Evie in The Mummy Returns, and also make an appearance in the hands of Keanu Reeves in The Matrix Reloaded. The Mummy Returns is a 2001 American Adventure film written and directed by Stephen Sommers, starring Brendan Fraser, Rachel Keanu Charles Reeves (kiːˈɑːnuː born September 2, 1964) is a Canadian Actor. The Matrix Reloaded is a 2003 Film, the second installment in ''The Matrix'' trilogy, written and directed by the Wachowski Brothers In the animated television series, Ronin Warriors, the character Lady Kayura uses a modified pair of sai as her weapons of choice. Ronin Warriors is the English version of the Japanese Anime Television series. Lady Kayura is the last known member of the Ancient Clan from the anime Ronin Warriors. Whilst in the manga comics, TenTen in Naruto has many weapons including sai. ˈmɑŋgə is the Japanese word for Comics (sometimes called komikku コミック and print Cartoons In their modern form manga date from shortly The Naruto Anime and Manga series features an extensive cast of characters created by Masashi Kishimoto. is an ongoing Japanese Manga series written and illustrated by Masashi Kishimoto with an Anime adaptation She uses a sai attached to a chain. Also Kish from Tokyo Mew Mew uses a pair of sai, termed "Dragon swords". KISH (1029 FM) is Guam 's first all- Chamorro Music formatted FM station also known as Mew Mew Power, is a Japanese ''shōjo'' manga series written by Reiko Yoshida and illustrated by Mia Ikumi. Also, Dan the TriceraRanger and Boi the TigerRanger of Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger along with their American counterparts Billy Cranston, the Blue Ranger and Trini Kwan, the Yellow Ranger of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Dan and Billy both wielded a double-ended staff, called the Tricerance in Zyuranger while its called the Power Lance in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, which could be broken down into a pair of sai, while Boi and Trini weld daggers that resemble Sais, called the Saber Daggers in Zyuranger while they are called the Power Daggers in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. translated into English as Dinosaur Squadron Zyuranger is a Japanese Tokusatsu Television series and the sixteenth entry in The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Billy Cranston is a fictional character in the Power Rangers universe Blue Ranger is a title given to several Power Rangers characters Trinidad "Trini" Kwan is a Fictional character in the Power Rangers universe played by Vietnamese American actress Thuy Trang. Yellow Ranger is a designation given to one character in all seasons of the Power Rangers TV series Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (often abbreviated by fans as MMPR) is an American Live-action Television series, created Also in Super Sentai and Power Rangers the villians Mele of Juken Sentai Gekiranger and her American counterpart Camille of Power Rangers: Jungle Fury when in their warrior forms weld Sais as their weapon of choice. The is the name given to the long running Japanese Superhero team genre of shows produced by Toei Company Ltd Power Rangers is a long-running American Children's television series adapted from the Japanese Tokusatsu Super Sentai Series, though it is a fictional school of Martial arts practiced by the antagonists in the Japanese Super Sentai series Juken Sentai Gekiranger. is Toei Company 's thirty-first entry in the Super Sentai franchise This is a list of villains in Power Rangers Jungle Fury. Dai Shi Dai Shi is an ancient evil entity existing for at least 10000 years who wanted to rid Power Rangers Jungle Fury is the title of the sixteenth season in the American children's television series Power Rangers.
In the South Park episode 'Good Times with Weapons' Cartman used a pair of "Killer Sai" when facing Professor Chaos and, later, a gang of rival ninjas in the Battle of Togikawa.
References
See also
External links
- The Stories and Practice of the Okinawan Sai by Toshihiro Oshiro and William H. ( or is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands from indigenous fighting methods and Chinese Kenpō. Silat is an umbrella term used to describe the martial art forms practiced throughout the Malay Archipelago. This article is about the Kata, for the Japanese weapon see Jitte (weapon. The following is a partial list of Martial arts weapons. Bow and Arrow Crossbow Longbow Haff
- Video of Sai History on YouTube
- Breakdown of the Sai and Qualities to Look For.
Dapyx Software network: MP3 Explorer | Ebook Manager | Zenithic