The Sai has become, to many, the virtual symbol of Okinawan Kobudo. The weapon is metal and of the truncheon class with its length dependent upon the forearm of the user. When held it should be about 3cm longer than the forearm and generally Sai are used in pairs.
In Sai jutsu, there are techniques such as utsu (striking), uke (blocking), tsuku (thrusting), uchiotosu (striking down), hikkakeru (hooking) and tsuranuku (piercing). Sai jutsu is regarded as form of self-defense. Unlike other martial arts around the world in which the basic idea is to defend yourself by fatally stabbing your opponent, the primary idea behind the development of Sai jutsu was to subdue an opponent without doing him any injury. Kata, including Tsuken shitahaku no sai, Tawada no sai, and Hamahiga no sai are still practiced today in Okinawa. About 12 kata exist for this weapon.
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