Sai (weapon)

The sai (Japanese: 釵, lit. 'hairpin'; Chinese: 鐵尺, lit. 'iron ruler') is a pointed melee weapon originating from Okinawa. It is utilized in Okinawan kobudō, ninjutsu, and southern Chinese martial arts and is primarily used for stabbing, striking, parrying and disarming opponents. The sai consists of a pointed metal prong (monouchi), projecting from a one-handed hilt (tsuka), that has two shorter metal side prongs (yoku) projecting from it from each side near the top of the hilt. It came to international attention, when martial arts became popular in the mid-20th Century, causing elements of Okinawan kobudō to spread to Japan and then to the wider world.

History
Before its creation in Okinawa, similar weapons were already being used in other Asian countries including India, Thailand, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia. The basic concept of the sai may have been brought to Okinawa from one or several of these places over time. Some sources theorize that the weapon 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 improved 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 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 of the sai in Okinawan martial arts

 * Monouchi, the main prong of the sai, that is either round or faceted.
 * Saki, the sharp point of the main prong. Manjisai.svg
 * Yoku, the shorter side prongs of the sai, which are usually symmetrical, with the exception of the manji sai developed by Taira Shinken which employs oppositely-facing yoku resembling the swastika (manji).
 * Tsume, the sharp point of the side prongs (yoku).
 * Moto, the center point between the two side prongs.
 * Tsuka, the hilt of the sai. The tsuka can be wrapped with different materials to provide a grip.
 * Tsukagashira, the 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 used for fast stabs and strikes but it is also very versatile, and has many other uses aswell. These include a variety of blocks, parries and captures against attackers from all directions and height levels. Use of the sharp point, main prong and pommel is emphasized, as well as rapid grip changes for multiple stabs and strikes.

One technique commonly depicted is to use of one of the sai's side prongs to entrap an opponents weapon and then disarm them of it. Some variations of sai have their 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.