Photo of Sensei Lindsay of Windsor dojo, at the S.A.
gashuku 2003
The Sai was disguised as a farm implement, used for gauging grooves for planting seeds.
It is known for being a 'rough' piece of steel. It is made of solid steel and used to defend oneself when attacked even against a Katana of the swordsman. The Katana blade could get caught between the middle and one of the two extensions when a twisting action with the Sai could break the blade. The Sai are mostly used in swinging actions to one side. It can also be used for strikes, stabs with the sides as well as the middle, punches with the handle point, grabbing and damaging body parts like the collar bone, neck, etc. It can be used as an extension of or to protect the arm.
Nowadays many of the Sai one buys at the shops are lighter than the traditional Sai as they are not made of solid steel. This makes it easier to swing and by using less steel they are cheaper to manufacture, but they would be less effective in their original use.
The Sai are not used commonly as a defensive weapon any more. Its practice is, however, still an important part of the budo like the other weapons using the elements of " Bu- ", which means " the sword " and " never to be used " as well as the " -do " which means " the way becomes evident ". The techniques are for the development of the self, to the stage where the spiritual and the physical concepts become one and the original concept of budo, thus becomes a living reality. It is, however, well known for its use to improve on knife handling skills of the practitioner and therefore its value for practical use in today's life should not be underestimated.