SAI AND KAMA

 

SAI

It was during the Japanese occupation of Okinawa some 350 years ago,

invading warlords prohibited the use of ordinary weapons such as the sword or spear.

Okinawan's turned to KOBU-DO for protection.

Some KOBU-DO weapons were farm implements that had been converted into effective weapons of self defense.

One example would be the SAI (short sword).This was originally used by peasants who dragged it through the soil to create a furrow where the plant seed would be sown.

If attacked by Samurai the peasants could counter a sword attack with the Sai.

Sai weapons were often carried in pairs and sometimes a third concealed under the peasants OBI (wide belt).

The third Sai would most likely be used to throw at the attacker.A move that was often the key to winning the encounter.

The Sai originally was capable of killing or maiming an enemy with a blow to the back of the neck or thrust to the throat or eyes.

However, the sharp points have now been mostly blunted and rounded.

It no longer serves as a weapon for mortal combat ,as is with most martial weapons or combat weapons . Although the potential for great harm is still there.

Fashioned of steel and chrome plate,it is an attractive weapon consisting of a dagger like extension

along with two prongs at the handle that run parallel with the main blade.

When first introduced to Japan,the Sai was called the JUTTE. It had a single prong at the handle.

The Japanese police found it quite effective in blocking the thrusts of the Samurai.

The weapon was also used against pressure points when making arrests.

In depth training and skill are required to use the Sai proficiently,

but with practice will come great dexterity and excellent flexibility in it's use.

 

KAMA

The bladed weapon, the kama was a genuine farmer's tool.

It was used as a weapon in many villages for centuries.

The techniques for the kama include any number of mutiple slashing, hooking, thrusting and blocking maneuvers, executed with two kama, or Nichokama.

The corner of the blade to the shaft should have a groove cut into it for catching the Bo and other weapons without the blade digging into and getting stuck into the attacking weapon.

The weight of the shaft is dependent upon the strength of the user and should be tapered to the butt end with increasing thickness. This allows for ease of catching and sliding when changing grip. The blade should add sufficient weight to ensure it is the heaviest point in the weapon.

This also allows for ease of usage. The length of the weapon should extend to about 3cm passed the elbow when held in reverse grip. The handling of the weapon is the same as the Sai.

The dexterity of the fingers is paramount to the changing grips the weapon affords and needs in defense.