Which MA uses sai?

[soccerghost]

My question is pretty much what the title says, i am curious about which MA(s) use sai

[steveb]

We use sai in our Okinawan kobudo. Can't speak for any other styles.

[Shorin Ryuu]

Most Okinawan karate styles incorporate sai from Okinawan weapon systems (such as Matayoshi) or various other sai kata that have been passed down over the years. Okinawan karate and kobudo have developed sort of hand-in-hand, if you pardon the lame pun. Some systems are purely weapons, others are purely karate with weapons systems added, and others have their own unique weapons kata (although even some of these are versions of common weapons kata throughout many styles).

[soccerghost]

thanx for the help

[GhostlySykanRyu]

Aye, I'm pretty sure that the majority of Okinawan based MAs incorperate sais.

 

I know that they were originally used as fishing tools, though I'd like to know how much they altered the shape for use in combat.

[Shorin Ryuu]

There are many theories on the origin of the sai. I've never actually heard the fishing one before. I'm of the opinion that they were always weapons imported from China before they came to Okinawa. The sai was more common of a weapon amongst of the upper class or law enforcement. An island nation, the Ryukyus had no iron ore per se and the majority of all metal was imported (meaning it cost a lot). In contrast to more common tools like the kama, it required much more metal to make, as the bladed weapons could be hammered thin. Economically, it just doesn't make much sense for peasants to all have this sort of seed-planting tool or fishing equipment made out of that much metal.

[1kickKO]

Yep, everybody is right on the dot with sais being in most Okinawan styles..I practice traditional Okinawan karate, and we practice sai, and kobudo is highly noted for its use with the sai.

[SaiFightsMS]

They are found around the Pacific Rim in different configurations and sizes.

[soccerghost]

thanks for the help

[mindsedgeblade]

Brand new here. I've been learning karate/TKD for nearly two years now, and just began working with the staff. Does anyone know of korean styles that incorporate the sai? They seem a very interesting weapon that would fit very well into an open hand style.