ninjagambit (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

thank for the info

hempev (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

That's right - Okinawa has been influenced by both China and Japan for centuries, annexed as a Japanese prefecture in 1879, and under U.S. control from 1945 until 1972 (although the U.S. still has a large military contingent there), but Okinawans have a culture separate from Japan, and kobudo and karate are wholly Okinawan creations. The sai may be similar to other weapons, such as the jutte, but there are details that show it has evolved on its own.

UberGameNerds1234 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I thought it was incorrect to say that sai came from Japan and that you actually had to say, that they came from Okinawa because at the time Okinawa was not a part of Japan.

flying3692 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

i would like to extend my thanks for the videos you continue to post. they are very informative and teach accurate technique without much of the flash many modern practicioners stress.

hempev (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I didn't order mine myself, but it's probably not a problem if you don't have a sensei, just the legality of walking around with them! The black steel version is the most authentic, but Shihan uses their chrome model for visibility in the videos - both have the same cord-wrapped grips (much nicer than fake leather!)

cowluver2 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Are all of your Sai from Shureido USA?I just bought a Black Iron Sai from them and just wondering if thats how it is going to look likeAnd you dont have to be a Sensei to buy them they just talk to you on the phone on what you want.

hempev (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

That's right - otherwise, you can't make a plural in Japanese.

and003 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Let me see if I have this straight:If there is just one sai, you say 'Sai' with an 'S' whereas if there is more than one you say 'Zai' with a 'Z'?Hmmm ... you learn something new every day.

Wingmeaker (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I love the way he talks, the fact that the grammar is so-so and his accent makes his speech appealing and very interesting to listen to :).

hempev (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Where did you read these were ever sharpened? Shureido, the foremost maker of Okinawan weapons, never sells these sharpened. They have a century of manufacturing these, but if you have a link that proves they are wrong, I'd like to read it.