Sai Kata

Can anyone out there tell me where I can find information and actual kata's for the Sai. I have looked on the net and in books found some info but not much and only 3 different kata so far. Your help is appreciated. [IMG]http://www.fightingarts.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif[/IMG]
Dan

Dan,I have a question for you,Did you complete all of your empty hand kata?
The, reason i ask is because, You'd have to finish all of your empty hand kata/forms before you would be able to learn a weapons kata. [IMG]http://www.fightingarts.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif[/IMG]

[This message has been edited by Isshinryukid4life (edited 04-13-2005).]

Dan,

I'd certainly suggest finding a qualified teacher to learn from, instead of trying to learn from books, etc.

However, if you'd like to see video of what are often the first sai kata of two of Okinawa's main kobudo styles, go to my site, and register for an account.

You'll find video of Tsukenshitahaku no Sai, which is often the first sai kata taught in Taira-lineage Kobudo, as well as Ni Cho Sai, which is the first Sai form usually taught in Matayoshi Kobudo.

I hope you enjoy the video, but I'd just like to recommend that you also ask around to see if people here can point you in the direction of a real kobudo teacher.

Best Regards,

Russ Smith
http://www.Goju-Ryu.info/

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Dan_66:
Can anyone out there tell me where I can find information and actual kata's for the Sai. I have looked on the net and in books found some info but not much and only 3 different kata so far. Your help is appreciated. [IMG]http://www.fightingarts.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif[/IMG]
Dan[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Isshinryukid4life:
Dan,I have a question for you,Did you complete all of your empty hand kata?
The, reason i ask is because, You'd have to finish all of your empty hand kata/forms before you would be able to learn a weapons kata. [IMG]http://www.fightingarts.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif[/IMG]][/QUOTE]


Not necessarily ... I require my students to learn kobudo and karate kata at the same time.

Mr./Ms. Isshinryukid4life,

While this may be true at your dojo, that is certainly not universally "true".

Actually, it's my understanding that learning weapons forms along side empty-hand forms in the same (Okinawan) system is less common than the opposite.

Isshin-Ryu, Ryuei-Ryu, and some Shorin-Ryu systems teach weapons as part of the ryuha, but most other karate systems lack weapons training, and will point you in the direction of a qualified kobudo teacher if the student has an interest.

Best Regards,

Russ Smith
http://www.Goju-Ryu.info/

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Isshinryukid4life:
Dan,I have a question for you,Did you complete all of your empty hand kata?
The, reason i ask is because, You'd have to finish all of your empty hand kata/forms before you would be able to learn a weapons kata. [IMG]http://www.fightingarts.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif[/IMG]

[This message has been edited by Isshinryukid4life (edited 04-13-2005).][/QUOTE]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Isshinryukid4life:
Dan,I have a question for you,Did you complete all of your empty hand kata?
The, reason i ask is because, You'd have to finish all of your empty hand kata/forms before you would be able to learn a weapons kata. [IMG]http://www.fightingarts.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif[/IMG]

[This message has been edited by Isshinryukid4life (edited 04-13-2005).][/QUOTE]
It is a requirement at most Dojo's I am asosiated with that at Blue belt 4th Kyu you learn a weapons kata.
I learned my first Sai Kata at green belt, I have been practicing eversince. I have attended every seminar I have found in my area. I had a great training experiance with Sensei Bruce Heilman (excuse spelling) But there is little in my area regarding the Sai. A lot more for Bo and I train in that as well.

not all dojos or styles require a certain rank to begin weapons study. martial arts are divided in two catagories, major and minor. Weapons are major and empty hands are minor arts. Simply put, The samurai, or even the moder soldier or police officer is taught weapons first. The empty hand systems were applied for when you lost your weapon during battle. Now i understand and respect some schools for not wanting to start students on weapons until later on in rank. maturity and age can make a diference. However my school offers karate and kobudo as seperate arts. We have kobudo students who have never stepped foot in a karate class, and they do just fine. I do not disagree that karate and kobudo training at the same time is very beneficial. The two systems compliment each other very well. Kobudo training will strengthen a karateka in many more ways than just empty handed training. So I guess what Im sayin is not all systems require a certain rank for starting weapons.

Hey,

I'm only a white belt in Karate-Jutsu at the moment, and i've done the first empty handed Kata... and because i get there earlier, before the session actually starts, Sensei has been teaching me the Nunchaku-kata, So i don't actually think there is a specific rank to learn weapons kata. Depending on your sensei and dojo i suppose. I can't wait to learn the Sai Kata, because i have two pairs, but i don't know how to use them. They're my favourite weapon and i bought them for decortational purposes at first.

Good luck, anyway

~Mitsuko