tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36170017532264024112024-03-04T23:45:51.301-08:00Sai-jutsu - Soke Hausel's Guide to Okinawa KobudoThe sai, an Okinawa weapon of self-defense, likely originated in China. This ancient weapon is taught to members of the Seiyo Shorin-Ryu Hombu in the East Phoenix Valley of Arizona. Students learn basics, forms, applications and sparring with sai.Soke Hauselhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09158619309750219373noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3617001753226402411.post-60912484243232139372020-08-23T14:37:00.011-07:002022-01-23T13:13:20.969-08:00Soke Hausel's Guide to Sai - A Traditional Okinawan Farming Tool<p><span style="text-align: justify;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIiUp1u7QHuLcd3qa_92vzZPtEVGm9BPcX61GAXcuZr1d_-6dUwC5ChX2N8t83H6sxTQU9GBcI_-PHPyFLyUjMMTZTxCgnrFqCVwiJ-ocXKOtNBZqUUKK4ypY56qShTl7xM3gOOQ6zlVQ/s1901/Soke%2527s+sai.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1901" data-original-width="1082" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIiUp1u7QHuLcd3qa_92vzZPtEVGm9BPcX61GAXcuZr1d_-6dUwC5ChX2N8t83H6sxTQU9GBcI_-PHPyFLyUjMMTZTxCgnrFqCVwiJ-ocXKOtNBZqUUKK4ypY56qShTl7xM3gOOQ6zlVQ/s640/Soke%2527s+sai.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The <i style="text-align: justify;">sai,</i><span style="text-align: justify;"> a common <i><a href="https://az-kobudo.blogspot.com">kobudo</a></i> tool used in most Okinawa <i><a href="https://seiyoshorinryu.blogspot.com">Shorin-Ryu</a></i> <i>karate</i> <i>dojo</i>, is a close-combat weapon. Although in can be thrown to assist in social distancing. The art of <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okinawan_kobud%C5%8D">sai</a></i> is known as <i>sai-jutsu</i>, and considered a branch of <i>Shorin-Ryu karate</i> and <i>kobudo</i>. <i>Sai</i> are held by grips or handles (<i>tsuka</i>) in order to extend the reach of the weapon to enable a defender to thrust the point (<i>saki</i>). But, it is also commonly held in reverse grip for blocking, punching, hooking and trapping. The <i>saki</i> (point) is dull for training in <i>dojo:</i> in actual combat, it is sharpened.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><i>Kobudo</i> practitioners often carried additional <i>sai</i> in a belt (<i>obi</i>) for throwing, and indeed, some <i>sai</i> <i><a href="https://youtu.be/KZm49hloOPg?list=PLgsEPjPIusDM4fn7mORlcs7KHW-G0pmdr">kata</a></i> (forms) emphasize technique (<i>waza</i>) for throwing <i>sai</i>. When, training in a <i>dojo</i>, a thick target board is sometimes placed on the <i>dojo</i> floor to practice throwing technique. If one trains outside, the ground is used as a target. Likewise, a human-shaped target can be placed nearby for throwing <i>sai</i> at a </span>torso.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The distinct, 3-pronged trident, is designed with a pointed shaft surrounded by two curved prongs (yoku) for blocking and hooking. The source of the metal to manufacture such tools did not exist on Okinawa, and likely <i>sai</i> were imported from China. In the historical past of Okinawa, there was no known iron <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mining_in_Japan">resources</a> on the Okinawa islands, and today, there is only one known <a href="https://www.stripes.com/living/lifestyle/okinawa-s-only-sword-maker-a-far-cry-from-hollywood-image-1.52421">forge</a>r on the tiny islands. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The <i>Ryukyu</i> Islands have a long history without mining, and the small island chain lacks metallic resources other than a couple of tiny historical <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mines_in_Japan">copper and antimony mines</a>. Even so, there are metallic resources on the adjacent <a href="https://republicofmining.com/2015/06/29/govt-set-to-mine-mineral-resources-off-okinawa-japan-news-june-28-2015/">seabed</a> associated with Okinawa. Such resources; however, were out-of-reach of past technology and were only discovered as late as 1977. These sea floor deposits are volcanogenic massive sulfides found near black and white <a href="https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20181221-japans-grand-plans-to-mine-deap-sea-vents">smokers</a> (hot spring vents), similar to the now, high-and-dry, Ferris-<a href="https://ferris-haggarty.blogspot.com">Haggarty</a> (Wyoming) and United <a href="https://vultureaz.blogspot.com/2012/08/united-verde-mines-verde-distrinct.html">Verde</a> (Arizona) massive sulfides deposited in similar marine environments in the earth's geological past.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj2apHdIUmaFpwrnwThRdcRzh0_hT3ADooJ7HpDqqBQjHepbW6O9z-HGirbwtU_BbI32Z5Loevg6k_RpNoHzzWCAIy-DUAz0sH2CyslkkEg7sxUchtcil1ezKCShJRMN-ySTlSSg8U_UTU3KIGht1kHj05Y-zVoAG9X3ilxNjpv4ugtaB3pc87-Tx9D=s1080" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="999" data-original-width="1080" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj2apHdIUmaFpwrnwThRdcRzh0_hT3ADooJ7HpDqqBQjHepbW6O9z-HGirbwtU_BbI32Z5Loevg6k_RpNoHzzWCAIy-DUAz0sH2CyslkkEg7sxUchtcil1ezKCShJRMN-ySTlSSg8U_UTU3KIGht1kHj05Y-zVoAG9X3ilxNjpv4ugtaB3pc87-Tx9D=w400-h370" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Okinawa <i>nunteibo</i> (also <i>nunte, </i>or<i> nunti</i>)</td></tr></tbody></table>Even so, a true sword of Okinawa existed! This is known as <i>shinken</i>, and is in reference to the intensity of Okinawa <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bud%C5%8D">budo</a></i>: basically to practice Okinawa <i>budo</i>, one must use serious effort (<a href="http://kempo.4mg.com/articles/shinken.htm">Durbin</a>, undated). Few are as serious about training as Okinawa <i>karate</i> masters. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So, where did the <i>sai</i> come from?. According to some writers, the <i>sai</i> may have been broken from tridents made in China. Apparently, Okinawans liked smaller tools for self-defense and may have traded for tridents and then <a href="https://blackbeltmag.com/sai-martial-arts-weapon/martial-arts-trident">removed</a> the three-pronged blades from the shaft (<i>bo</i>) for <i>sai</i>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span>Thus, the <i>sai</i> may have originally have been used by Okinawa farmers like a pitchfork or a seed-furrowing </span><a href="https://www.karatemart.com/blog/popular-martial-arts-weapons-that-started-as-farm-tools">tool</a>. Another very likely source was a<span> Okinawa fisherman harpoon-like <a href="http://www.matayoshikobudouk.com/nunti-bo-fifth-weapon-of-matayoshi-kobudo/">tool</a> known as <i><a href="https://az-kobudo.blogspot.com/2018/07/nuntei-bo-okinawan-fishing-license-for.html">nuntei-bo</a></i>. Although <a href="https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2016/10/01/environment/passing-ancient-steel-production-techniques/">iron</a> was <a href="https://www.japan.travel/en/japans-local-treasures/shimanes-ancient-tatara-ironworks/">smelted</a> on mainland Japan, it is unknown is iron was smelted on Okinawa, it is likely the weapon was imported from China by a member of the Okinawan royal family or bodyguard. It is also possible that the sai originated by breaking the trident off <i>nuntei-bo</i>.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The <i>sai</i>, like many Okinawa <i>kobudo</i> tools, has different <i>kata</i> (forms) as well as <i>bunkai</i> (self-defense applications). When you investigate classes at your local Okinawa <i>karate dojo</i>, be sure to find out if your future <i>sensei</i> (teacher) is certified to teach <i>sai</i>, and find out if they charge additional fees to learn <i>kobudo</i>. Many do charge extra.</div><p><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></p>Soke Hauselhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09158619309750219373noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3617001753226402411.post-2737317279944324482018-04-16T09:22:00.007-07:002022-01-24T09:10:33.120-08:00Guide to Okinawan Sai (Sai-jutsu)<div style="text-align: justify;">
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It was in the late 1960s when Soke Hausel was introduced to the <i>sai</i> while attending college at the University of Utah. Earlier, he had been introduced to <a href="http://nunchuku.blogspot.com/"><i>nunchaku</i></a> and <i>kyokushin kai karate</i> - later he was introduced to other systems of <i>karate, kobudo, kobujutsu, karatejutsu, jujutsu, ninjutsu, iaido, sojutsu, naginatajutsu, hanbojutsu</i> and self-defense including <i><a href="https://seiyokaishorinryu.blogspot.com/">Shorin-Ryu karate and kobudo</a></i>. Soke Hausel taught martial arts and self-defense at the University of Wyoming for 3 decades prior to moving to <a href="https://gilbertmensclub.wordpress.com/category/martial-arts/soke-hausel/">Arizona</a> where he teaches a minimum of 6 martial arts classes each week along with periodic clinics in <i>kobudo</i> and other arts.</div>
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The <i>sai</i> is one of many Okinawa <i>kobudo</i> weapons taught at the <a href="http://azhombu.blogspot.com/">Arizona Hombu Karate dojo</a> in Mesa, Arizona. The 3-pronged trident has a pointed shaft surrounded by two curved prongs and may have originally have been used by Okinawan farmers similar to a pitchfork, seed-furrowing <a href="https://www.karatemart.com/blog/popular-martial-arts-weapons-that-started-as-farm-tools">tool</a>, or a harpoon tool in fishing. But since iron was uncommon on Okinawa, more likely, the weapon was originally imported from China by a member of the Okinawan royal bodyguard. Typically, two <i>zai</i> are used in combat, but 3 or 4 can be employed with two in hand and the others placed in the <i>obi</i> (belt) to access for throwing. So, this weapon may have been a trident weapon imported from China or some other southeastern Asian country. </div>
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As a farming implement, <i>sai</i> would have been mounted on a stick to produce a deep central furrow (seed trench) with parallel shallow guide furrows designed to line up the next seed trench. Metals used for steel were uncommon on Okinawa, but iron deposits were known on mainland Japan [primarily low-grade spectite (iron-clays) and high-grade massive sulfides (iron-sulfide or pyrite)]. Other metals used in steel toughening such as titanium and tungsten were also uncommon on Okinawa. Thus, most metallic weapons had to be imported. So the weapon (tool) was likely introduced from China, India, mainland Japan, or some other southeast Asian country. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Professor of Budo, Soke Hausel, <br />
teaching sai clinic at University of <br />
Wyoming's Corbett Gym</i></span>.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Amira blocks bo attack by Taylor during bunkai training</span></i></td></tr>
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Some Chinese, Indian and Indonesian weapons have similar appearance. The Chinese Tiger’s Fork from Southern Chinese Kung Fu arts such as Hung Gar is similar to a Hindu weapon known as the <a href="http://preview.turbosquid.com/Preview/2014/07/08__11_24_09/tri.jpg769be066-2c92-4b52-a92e-7724b9a831b8Original.jpg">Trishula</a> and the southeast Asian weapon known as the <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRTkeioAgVaZeS-kvdU7QtJVTsg_qpZXSwhBjD58nmAKKd7FTqnumhfsx6w7Vv8BAeeEBlBaAODlskoHRj70YlIeMuAJerivyU5SmbLPGQz84v49fPDBuCqq8HVizaRGd8ZYpUQT7zXx0/s320/cabang_small.jpg">tjabang</a>. Certain varieties have truncheon-like sai mounted on wooden staffs. Possibly, Okinawan peasants, or royal body guard members, removed the truncheon from imported staffs to produce a stealth weapon with greater mobility.</div>
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The shaft of <i>sai</i> is referred to as the <i>monouchi</i>, the pointed tip is the <i>saki</i>, and the bottom rounded knuckle at the opposite end on the handle (pommel) is the <i>tsukagushira</i>. The handle is known as <i>tsuka</i>. Three-quarters of the way up the shaft are two curved prongs known as the <i>yoku</i> and the pointed tip of these are <i>tsume</i>. <i>Yoku</i> are considered wings extending from the shaft from the <i>moto</i> (base of the wings) perpendicular to the shaft.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Kobudo class at the Arizona Hombu Karate dojo<br />train in kata.</span></i></td></tr>
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Unlike modern martial artists, Okinawans didn’t care about length of sai, because the weapon was not common. When held in a <i>gyaku-mochi </i>(reverse) grip, the <i>monouchi</i> of the <i>sai</i> is often selected to cover the forearm with <i>saki</i> extending to the elbow; a length of 18 to 23 inches (nearly 2 <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaku_(unit)">shaku</a></i>). This allows one to strike with an outward elbow strike (<i>soto hiji uchi</i>) projecting the saki into an attacker. The pommel is round, square, or multi-angled. It is important to find sai with good balance so that it can easily be rotated from normal to reverse grips.</div>
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There are three types of <i>sai</i>: (1) <i>T<a href="http://hanging-scroll.net/CDSCN7436.JPG">suujo-sai</a></i><a href="http://hanging-scroll.net/CDSCN7436.JPG"> </a>which is the more traditional sai with parallel <i>yoku</i> that project in the direction of saki; (2) the <a href="http://www.matayoshikobudouk.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/manji-sai.jpg"><i>Manji (nunti)-sai </i></a>is a similar three-pronged weapon with one yoku facing an opposing direction, and the (3) <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jitte"><i>Jutte-sai</i></a> (aka <i>jitte</i>) which has only one <i>yoku</i>. The <i>jutte</i> became a popular weapon with the Japanese and Okinawan police as it is easily carried on the utility belt and used for blocking, striking and activating pressure points.</div>
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<i>Sai waza</i> (techniques) mimic techniques in karate; thus a practitioner can quickly learn this weapon. However, it is very awkward at first, with sleeves of the <a href="https://youtu.be/19MwhGsw2DE">karate gi</a> often catching on <i>yoku</i> of the <i>sai</i>. And like <i>karate</i>, the <i>sai</i> will be more effective with powerful <i>koshi no chikara </i>(hip power) and s<i>uri ashi</i> (sliding movement).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtuKNsARxol7-YqxhHgMInJd9zFcwflkOELMBcI-EdxiScijFvI-LWGYV5c7RHM15WeDMce0FNFWH0JvCD_57_JmePrJSD3c1RSMvFK-22Pv03KQl_kp7b2mGKih9UgqXhrhr8TgNZoNM/s1600/O%2527Sensei+Borea+trains+with+sai.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1383" data-original-width="1600" height="552" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtuKNsARxol7-YqxhHgMInJd9zFcwflkOELMBcI-EdxiScijFvI-LWGYV5c7RHM15WeDMce0FNFWH0JvCD_57_JmePrJSD3c1RSMvFK-22Pv03KQl_kp7b2mGKih9UgqXhrhr8TgNZoNM/s640/O%2527Sensei+Borea+trains+with+sai.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>O'Sensei Bill Borea (RIP) blocks bo attack by Dr. Adam with sai during bunkai training in kobudo class at the Arizona Hombu Karate dojo.</i></span></td></tr>
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In Soke <a href="http://voyagephoenix.com/interview/meet-dan-hausel-arizona-hombu-dojo-school-traditional-okinawa-martial-arts-mesa-60-w-baseline-road/">Hausel's</a> clinics and classes at the <a href="http://seiyo-shorinryu.com/">Arizona Hombu Karate dojo</a> in Mesa, Arizona, members train in a variety of <i>kobudo</i> and <i><a href="http://hojojutsu.blogspot.com/">samurai</a></i> weapons along with <i><a href="https://seiyoshorinryu.blogspot.com/">karate</a></i> and <a href="https://ski-jujutsu.blogspot.com/"><i>jujutsu</i></a>. For example, when <i>karate</i> or weapons like the <i>sai</i> are taught, members of the <i>Hombu</i> learn all about the basics (<i>kihon</i>) and history of the weapon. They learn to manipulate the weapon by learning muscle memory through training in a group of forms known as <i>kata</i>. And to be sure they can use the weapon in combat, they also learn many <i>bunkai</i> (pragmatic applications).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Nancy and Suzette train in bunkai during kobudo class at the Arizona Hombu</i></span></td></tr>
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Soke Hauselhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09158619309750219373noreply@blogger.com0Arizona Hombu Karate Dojo33.379503281212159 -111.8334925174713133.37466528121216 -111.84379201747132 33.384341281212158 -111.82319301747131tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3617001753226402411.post-85071092619236015022012-05-03T15:53:00.004-07:002022-01-24T09:15:45.782-08:00Kata (Forms) for Seiyo Shorin-Ryu Sai<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Adam (left) trains with Sensei Patrick using sai during kobudo classes in the East Valley of <br />Phoenix, Arizona. </em></td></tr>
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The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seiyo_Shorin-Ryu_Karate_and_Kobudo">Seiyo No Shorin-Ryu Karate Renmei</a> (<span style="color: yellow;">西洋少林流空手<span style="color: red;">古武</span>道</span>) system incorporates many Okinawan and Modern weapons into its <i>kobudo</i> (<span style="color: yellow;">古武道</span>) system. The sai (<span style="color: yellow;">釵</span>) is an example of one ancient weapon that has some modern equivalents found in many garden shops. The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sai_(weapon)">sai is considered</a> to be an Okinawan weapon and in Seiyo Martial Arts we have a group of six kata (<span style="color: yellow;">形</span>). These <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kata"><i>kata</i></a> all employ a variety of blocking, striking, hooking, choking, capturing and throwing techniques and assist the Shorin-Ryu martial artist with proper application, stances and <em>ma</em> (timing).</div>
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Thus after one learns to use the sai, they must learn the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bunkai"><i>bunkai</i></a> (<span style="color: yellow;">分解</span>) of all techniques in the kata and learn them with full power and focus. This requires considerable expertise as it is easy to hurt one's knuckles during <em>bunkai</em> because of the nature of the weapon. But after considerable training, one tends to block out the pain of being struck on the knuckles. Our <em><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzd5v2fWmxo&list=PLgsEPjPIusDM4fn7mORlcs7KHW-G0pmdr">kata</a></em> are simply numbered as <em>Sai Shodan</em> (<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="color: red;">釵</span><span style="color: red;">初段</span><span style="color: red;">形</span></span>)<em>, Sai Nidan </em>(<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="color: red;">釵</span><span style="color: red;">二段</span><span style="color: red;">形</span></span>)<em>, Sai Sandan </em>(<span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: yellow;"><span style="color: red;">釵</span><span style="color: red;">三段</span><span style="color: red;">形</span></span>)<em>, Sai Yondan </em>(<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="color: red;">釵</span><span style="color: red;">四段</span><span style="color: red;">形</span></span>)<em>, Sai Godan </em>(<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="color: red;">釵</span><span style="color: red;">五段</span><span style="color: red;">形</span></span>) and <em>Sai Rokudan </em>(<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="color: red;">釵</span><span style="color: red;">六段</span><span style="color: red;">形</span></span>).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Sai - sketch by Soke Hausel</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Dr. Adam trains with Sensei Borea (</em><em>retired air force pilot) during kobudo class.</em></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaK7dQWyUiaHBStaRkIVfqYlTHPUbvNIIZ_3rgAMTPahFinl9fwO0yvnVcXArg63wY8ESTzjZp6ac4Ze8f_oMDiFLSGC2SPDy30ccAgJdmmMY67XCIxdbLa661ULkGKr5W0zw12P32YFA/s1600/Eric+Hausel+trains+with+Sai+at+the+University+of+Wyoming+Karate+Club,+Laramie.+Arizona+School+of+Traditional+Karate+photo+(seiyo-shorinryu.com).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaK7dQWyUiaHBStaRkIVfqYlTHPUbvNIIZ_3rgAMTPahFinl9fwO0yvnVcXArg63wY8ESTzjZp6ac4Ze8f_oMDiFLSGC2SPDy30ccAgJdmmMY67XCIxdbLa661ULkGKr5W0zw12P32YFA/s640/Eric+Hausel+trains+with+Sai+at+the+University+of+Wyoming+Karate+Club,+Laramie.+Arizona+School+of+Traditional+Karate+photo+(seiyo-shorinryu.com).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Eric Hausel, trains with sai at the University of Wyoming Campus</em><br />
<em>Shorin-Ryu Karate and Kobudo Club in Laramie.</em></td></tr>
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Soke Hauselhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09158619309750219373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3617001753226402411.post-50572927374759606662010-06-04T11:00:00.003-07:002022-01-24T09:09:17.456-08:00SAI - OKINAWAN KARATE WEAPON OF SELF-DEFENSE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwnmJWs7qIJL9IOLq-OUwSbFgS1N6sgo8973Wi-1RgX6ipXsRQ6WL4GruVLgxb6xbcv5474s16N4ccSyfL-PE37HtcDU09HIptjHlqfMl_vYlrSe-_QMLh1I-opHu8cld5QtB23HHHP4g/s1600/Karate+Air+Photo+by+Soke+Hausel+(Seiyo-ShorinRyu.com).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwnmJWs7qIJL9IOLq-OUwSbFgS1N6sgo8973Wi-1RgX6ipXsRQ6WL4GruVLgxb6xbcv5474s16N4ccSyfL-PE37HtcDU09HIptjHlqfMl_vYlrSe-_QMLh1I-opHu8cld5QtB23HHHP4g/s640/Karate+Air+Photo+by+Soke+Hausel+(Seiyo-ShorinRyu.com).jpg" width="635" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #e69138;"><em>"In Kobudo, to defend with sai, one becomes sai"</em></span></div>
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">In Arizona, both mudansha and yudansha (lower rank belts and black belts) at the Arizona Hombu Karate and Kobudo Dojo in Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler and Tempe forcus on karate as well as martial arts weapons. It is traditional that students of the Shorin-Ryu karate systems learn kobudo along with karate. Kobudo is primarily the art of ancient Okinawan farming implements, fishing and merchant tools used as weapons – basically the tools of trade for peasants. Some students may also elect to train with bladed weapons of the Japanese kobujutsu styles (such as kenjutsu, i.e., the bladed samurai weapons). By learning kobudo and kobujutsu, it becomes apparent that a belt, pen, baton, car keys, cell phone, book, magazine, stick and most any tool can be used as a weapon of self-defense at the spur of the moment<span style="text-align: justify;">.</span></div>
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<span><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyIj15AQp8JM4anfoGtVLP_i9DOPL2jhlGUdd1CpPgbuVj5LDAYD_oI_oExcBE90ArkAfQrzrl7RRhOj2GsKg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />Kobudo</i> is a martial art that blended with <i>karate</i> in the Okinawan martial arts systems. It is thought that the practice of <i>kobudo</i> began in earnest sometime after Okinawan King Shoshin issued a proclamation (1480 AD) requiring all peasants of the kingdom surrender their bladed weapons. This was done because King Shoshin was a apparently a non-violent Buddhist who felt all Okinawans should share his beliefs, but others believe it was done to keep the Okinawan peasants from rising up against the Okinawan government. As a result, Okinawa was later invaded by Japanese samurai and since there was no Okinawan army, there was little to no resistance to the invasion. The Okinawan trade industry then became the possession of the Satsuma clan of Japan and the Okinawans became subjects of the samurai.</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">In recent years, many Asian and American hybrid systems of karate elected to remove <i>kobudo</i> from their curriculum for unknown reasons, even though original forms of <i>karate</i> included <i>kobudo</i>. Even many of the Japanese <i>karate</i> styles eliminated <i>kobudo</i> after <i>karate</i> was introduced to Japan in the 20th century. This likely was because <i>kobudo</i> was seen as a peasant art to the Japanese, whereas <i>karate</i> was both a peasant art and art taught to royalty.</div>
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<div style="border: currentcolor;"><span style="text-align: justify;">Okinawan </span><i style="text-align: justify;">kobudo</i><span style="text-align: justify;"> includes weapons such as the </span><i style="text-align: justify;">sai, nunchuku, tonfa, kama, nitanbo, tsue, bo, kobutan, eku, ra-ke, kuwa, manrikigusari, hari, nireki, surichin, tetsubo, tekko, tinbe, yawara, suruji, tanto</i><span style="text-align: justify;"> and more.</span>
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<span>The <i>sai</i> is a three-pronged trident with a pointed shaft surrounded by two curved prongs that project from the handle. The most common <i>sai</i> have parallel prongs, although others exhibit opposing prongs or just one. Typically two <i>zai</i> (plural for <i>sai</i>) are used, but three may be employed with two held by the hands and a third in the <i>obi</i> (belt) available for throwing. The origin of the weapon is thought to either have been as a farming implement, or more likely to have been a trident imported from China.</span></div>
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<span>Some people suggest that the <i>sai</i> was originally a farming implement. In other words, the weapon could have been some a kind of hoe used to dig furrows. As such, a <i>sai</i> mounted on a stick would have produced a central deep furrow (seed trench) surrounded by two outside shallow guide furrows used to line up the next seed trench.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Another concept is that the <i>sai</i> was introduced from China, India, or some southeast Asian country. There are ancient Chinese, Indian and Indonesian weapons that have similar appearance to <i>sai</i>. The Chinese Tiger’s Fork used by many Southern Chinese <i>Kung Fu</i> arts such as <i>Hung Gar</i> is similar to a Hindu weapon known as the <i>trishula</i> and the southeastern Asian weapon known as the <i>tjabang</i>. These have trident-like <i>sai</i> mounted on long wooded staffs.</div>
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In the past, Okinawans didn’t care about the length of the <i>sai</i>, as the weapon would have been uncommon with few choices. Today, when held in a reverse grip, the long blade of the <i>sai</i> is often measured to cover the forearm of the individual so that it extends to the tip of the elbow, or about one inch past the elbow (typically 18 to 23 inches). This will allow one to strike with an outward elbow strike (<i>soto hiji uchi</i>) and projecting the point of the blade into an attacker. The pommel is often round, square or multi-angled.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span>I usually tell students that the best measurement would be a shaft that extends just short of the elbow. But more important is the balance of the weapon – be sure it is well-balanced so that it can easily be rotated from normal to reverse grips</span>.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Soke Hausel teaching Sai-jutsu at the University of Wyoming.</i></span></td></tr>
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<span>Sai techniques parallel techniques and movements in karate, thus a karate-ka can quickly learn to use this weapon. And just like in </span><span>karate, the sai will be more effective using effective <i>koshi no chikara</i> (hip power) and <i>suri ashi</i> (sliding movement). Training in <i>sai kata</i> and <i>bunkai</i> is part of the art. </span></div><br />
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Our training center is open to the public - we focus on Adults and Families. Come learn the traditions of Okinawan Karate & Kobudo. Much of the class is conducted in both Japanese and English to help students learn Japanese. <br />
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Soke Hauselhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09158619309750219373noreply@blogger.com0