Sai (weapon)

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For other meanings of the word 'sai', see Sai (disambiguation).

The sai (釵) is a weapon found prominently in Okinawa (there is evidence of similar weapons in India, China, Malaysia and Indonesia). Sai are often believed to have originated as an agricultural tool used to measure stalks, plow fields, plant rice, or to hold cart wheels in place, though the evidence for this is limited. Its basic form is that of an unsharpened dagger, with two long, unsharpened projections (tsuba) attached to the handle. Sai are constructed in a variety of forms. Some are smooth, while others have an octagonal middle prong. The tsuba are traditionally symmetrical, however, the Manji design developed by Taira Shinken employs oppositely facing tsuba.

The sai's utility as a weapon is reflected in its distinctive shape. With skill, it can be used effectively against a long sword by trapping the sword's blade in the sai's tsuba. It has been alleged that skilled users were able to snap a caught blade with a twist of the hand. 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.

Traditionally, sai were carried in threes, two at the side, as primary weapons, and a third tucked behind, in case one was disarmed or to pin an enemy's foot to the sandy Okinawan ground. As a thrown weapon, the sai have a lethal range of about 20-30 feet. Throwing the sai was typically used against an opponent with a sword, bo or other long range weapon. The heavy iron (or in contemporary versions, steel) sai concentrate enough force to punch through armor.

One way to hold it is by gripping the handle with all of your fingers and hooking your thumbs into the area between the tsuba and the main shaft. This allows you to change effortlessly between the long projection and the back, blunt side. The change is made by putting pressure on your thumbs and rotating the sai around until it is facing backwards and your pointer finger is aligned with the handle. The sai is generally easier to handle in this position. The flat, back side is good for adding force to a punch and the long shaft can be wielded to thrust at enemies behind you or as a protection for a blow to the forearm.

The jitte is the one-pronged Japanese equivalent to the (Okinawan) sai, and was used predominantly by the Japanese police during the Edo period. It is a featured weapon in the curriculum of several Japanese Jujutsu and koryu schools.

Popular culture

Sai have often been featured in Western popular culture as well. However, portrayal in popular media generally has little to do with the history or traditional uses of sai. In particular, popular media often incorrectly portray the sai as having an edged or pointed blade, as if it were a dagger or stiletto. Also, they are often popularly portrayed as being the weapons of ninjas, which contradicts their history as the weapons of law enforcers. In Film, TV, comic books and video games, Sai practitioners have included:

Raphael of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Marvel comics superheroine Elektra Natchios
Gabrielle of
Mileena from Mortal Kombat - (uses sai as her primary weapons)
Neo uses them in The Matrix Reloaded during a fight in a stairway
Egyptian villainess Anack-Su-Namun and rival heroine Nefertiri/Evie both fight with sai in The Mummy Returns.
Jennifer Garner uses a personalised variation of sai in the films Elektra and Daredevil, which feature Greek scripture along the blades.

Sai (weapon)

Popular culture

See also