Wanted to see who here in the forum has chosen Sai as one of their weapons to learn. I would love to start a chat regarding the Sai to hear and learn your experiences. If any Sai practitioners out there, my first question is how did you come about in choosing to learn Sai? Thanks for any replies,
3rd

I have ben using the sai for a year or more now, and i did not really choose to learn it, but it was the next weapon for me to learn in the curriculum of my Kobudo class.
I do like the sai though, they are good pokers and good bonkers, and since you can use them similarly to fighting with just your hands, i find them pretty easy and effective.

[This message has been edited by Sleepy-San (edited 02-17-2005).]

Hey Hulk,

The sai are actually the first weapons that I began to learn. I started about 15 years ago and didn't really begin to appreciate them until about 6 years ago!

They are so much more than pokers and bonkers (although they are good for that). If you have a good pair they will not only teach you about your open hand technique, they will also put a weightlifting type of work-out on you.

They are not my all time favorite weapon, but I practice with them diligently and truly have come to appreciate their nuances.

Page

I have only been useing the sai for a couple of weeks and i have found them very effective but the moves are lemited!! if any one was any online videos of sai feel free to send them to me at webby1508@hotmail.com

[QUOTE]Originally posted by BuDoc:
Hey Hulk,

The sai are actually the first weapons that I began to learn. I started about 15 years ago and didn't really begin to appreciate them until about 6 years ago!

They are so much more than pokers and bonkers (although they are good for that). If you have a good pair they will not only teach you about your open hand technique, they will also put a weightlifting type of work-out on you.

They are not my all time favorite weapon, but I practice with them diligently and truly have come to appreciate their nuances.

Page[/QUOTE]

BuDoc,
In what ways have you come to appreciate the Sais. After six years, wow! They must have grew on you. Are you familiar with the Okinowan Sai katas? Many people just take up Sai and practice and applicate moves opposed to learning Sai Katas as well. What other weapons do you know? Thanks,
3rd

Hulk,

Yes the sai have grown on me! I do practice Okinawan sai kata. I only know a few however. They are Soken Sai, Hammahiga no Sai(the first that my students learn), Goten no Sai, Tsuken Shitohara Hakku no Sai, and Kinjo no Sai.

In addition to the sai I also practice: Bo, nitanbo, sanchaku bo, Tonfa, nunchaku, Eaku, Kama, Yari, and the Roche and Tinbe.

Page

Not much choice! The Isshinryu curriculum for BBs includes Kusanku Sai & Chatan Yara Sai. I really do like the last one, however it's very heavily right-handed. Even though I am too, it's nice to train symmetrically.

I recently learned Yaka no Sai.
80+ movements, and quite difficult. Some very unique movements and footwork. Anyone else familiar with it?

Page:
Are you familiar with Tsuken Asato (akacho) no Eiku Bo/Dai? Another great kata. Great classic eiku movements. Sand flips and oar slaps, heck yeah! [IMG]http://www.fightingarts.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif[/IMG]

-Al

Hey Alejandro!

Not familiar with Yaka no sai. Could you post some info on it? Who is teacjing it? where is it handed down from?

Regards on learning the eaku. Very few people teach it anymore. With sai, bo, and nunchaku being highly glamorous, I worry that the eaku kata may become lost.

I introduce the eaku to my students only after they gain considerable experience with the bo. The first kata I teach them with the eaku is actually the bo kata Sakugawa no Kun. It is an advanced bo kata, but lends itself well to the eaku. Advanced students will learn Tsuken Akacho no eaku, Akahachi no eaku, and Tsuken Sunakake no eaku.

I too love the sand flipping and using the edges to cut and slash!

Regards,

Page

I have studied Kobudo for about 4yrs now. Our system is a blend of Matayoshi , and Ryukyu kobudo. We do about 12 okinawan Sai kata. Currently I have only learned: Higaiona No Sai, Kyan No Sai, Matsuhiga No Sai, Hamahiga No Sai , and Nicho Sai.
The sai is a phenominal weapon. The point of studying kobudo in modern times is not for its use on the street.( i know very well i will not be carrying my sai in my jacket). By studying the old kobudo kata you are walking in the footsteps of the masters who created them. You are preserving an art that would die out if noone practiced it. It is also a fantastic compliment to any empty handed styles that you may study. Many of the techniques found in sai kata can be applied to empty handed situations as well. The old okinawan kobudo kata are a wealth of knowledge.