The primary purpose of this [Kata is to provide a practice vehicle for Sai handling. There is a good deal of focus on dynamically changing the grip on the weapon and employing these changed grips for immediate effect. While Bunkai is a relevant concern as well, the primary intent of this Kata is to help hone and improve Sai skills. Once you have mastered the fundamental skills in this Kata then it is time to consider various Bunkai and how you might employ or adapt a given movement in varying circumstances.
Sai Shodan Kata Procedure
Step | Movement | Left Weapon | Right Weapon | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ichi | Begin with the standard Sai salutation. | Establish standard grip | Establish standard grip | |
Ni | Step R7 into Migi Zenkutsu Dachi. | Hidari Age Uke T1 | Migi Jodan Tsuka Gashira Tsuki | |
San | Soto Tate Kensei T5 | Convert to reverse grip and briskly deliver Migi Kao Uchi T1. | ||
Yon | Invert the weapon and pull the Tsuka to set position with the Monouchi pointed upward. | Strike with Migi Gedan Uchi T1 | ||
Go | Pull the right leg back to establish Heiko Dachi F1 | Convert to reverse grip and strike with Hidari Chudan Saki Tsuki T1 | Concurrent with the opposite weapon strike with Migi Chudan Saki Tsuki T1. | |
Roku | Step R6 to form Migi Zenkutsu Dachi F4 | Strike with Hidari Jodan Uchi T4 | Strike with Migi Gedan Uchi T4. | |
Nana | Step L7 into Hidari Zenkutsu Dachi F4 | Strike with Hidari Chudan Saki Tsuki T4 | Strike with Migi Chudan Saki Tsuki T4. | |
Hachi | Step forward slightly to form Hidari Han Zenkutsu Dachi F4 | Change to a standard grip and strike with Hidari Jodan Tsuka Tsuki T4 | Change to a standard grip and strike with Migi Jodan Tsuka Tsuki T4. | |
Ku | Step forward R6 into Migi Sochin Dachi F4 | Convert to a reverse grip and strike with Hidari Seoi Tate Uchi T4. | Convert to a reverse grip and strike with Migi Seoi Tate Uchi T4 | |
Ju | Shift back into Migi Kokutsu Dachi F4 | Perform a wrist outturn spin concluding with Hidari Seoi Tate Uchi T4 | Perform a wrist outturn spin concluding with Migi Seoi Tate Uchi T4. | |
Ju Ichi | Slide forward into Migi Han Zenkutsu Dachi F4 | Hidari Tsume Nodo Tsuki | Migi Tsume Nodo Tsuki | |
Ju Ni | Step L7 to establish Hidari Zenkutsu Dachi | Hidari Sai Empi Uchi | Migi | |
Ju San | Step R4 into Heiko Dachi | Morote Gedan Juji Uke T4 with the right weapon on top. | ||
Ju Yon | Step R6L2 to establish Migi Sochin Dachi F7 | Maintain left weapon position as Hidari Gedan Kensei | Retract the weapon slightly and then deliver Migi Chudan Tsuki T7. | |
Ju Go | Step L2R8L8 as you walk, via Juji Dachi T8. Complete the movement by settling into Hidari Sochin Dachi F8. | Moves forward CCW, striking with Jodan Mawashi Uchi, then moves under the right arm, and then strikes again with Hidari Ura Yokomen Uchi T8. | Moves forward CCW, strike with Jodan Uchi, then moves over left arm and then strike again with Migi Sai Empi Uchi T8. | Both arms move simultaneously with the left arm slightly ahead of the right arm. Both arms are moving in similar circular directions. The left weapon strikes first. |
Ju Roku | Step R3 to establish Hidari Sochin Dachi F2. | Convert to standard grip and deliver Hidari Ura Chudan Uke T2. | Convert to standard grip and deliver Migi Ura Chudan Uke T2. | Blocks are delivered concurrently as Morote Ura Chudan Uke. |
Ju Nana | Leave weapon in current position. | Strike with horizontal Jodan Monouchi Uchi T8. | ||
Ju Hachi | Step R5 to establish Migi Sochin Dachi F8 | Strike with Hidari Jodan Monouchi Uchi T8. | Convert to a reverse knife grip and strike with Chudan Monouchi Tsuki T8. | The right hand is effectively stabbing with the Monouchi. |
Ju Ku | Step R4 to establish Hidari Sochin Dachi F5 | Convert to a standard grip and place the weapon in guard position. | Strike with Migi Chudan Tsuki T7. | The Migi Chudan Tsuki is directed at someone coming from your right side. |
Ni Ju | Step slightly L1 to form Migi Han Zenkutsu Dachi F7 | Strike with Hidari Jodan Tsuki T7. | Convert to a reverse grip and strike with Chudan Tsuki T7. | |
Ni Ju Ichi | Step R4 to form Migi Zenkutsu Dachi F7 | Return the weapon to guard position. | Convert to a standard grip and strike with Migi Jodan Tsuki T7. | |
Ni Ju Ni | Step L3 to from Kiba Dachi F1 | Deliver Hidari Gedan Barai T1. | Deliver Migi Gedan Barai T1. | The two blocks are done concurrently. |
Ni Ju San | Retract the weapon and strike with Hidari Chudan Tsuki T1 | Retract the weapon and strike with Migi Chudan Tsuki T1 | The two strikes are done concurrently. | |
Ni Ju Yon | Step R7 to form Migi Zenkutsu Dachi F1 | Raise the weapon then strike down with Hidari Otoshi Seoi Tsuki T1. | Raise the weapon then strike down with Migi Otoshi Seoi Tsuki T1. | Pull both elbows inward as you strike with both weapons concurrently. |
Ni Ju Go | Slide the left foot T1 to establish Migi Han Zenkutsu Dachi F1. | Convert to a reverse grip and strike with Hidari Gedan Tsuki T1. | Convert to a reverse grip and strike with Migi Seoi Uchi T1. | Both strikes are delivered concurrently. |
Ni Ju Roku | Step L8 to establish Hidari Zenkutsu Dachi F3 | Convert to a standard grip and place the weapon in an effective guard position. | Strike with Yokomen Uchi, but do not return the strike, allowing the weapon to continue until it circles around and behind your head. | |
Ni Ju Nana | Step R5 to form Migi Zenkutsu Dachi F3 | Strike with Migi Hiza Uchi T3 and return the weapon to an effective guard position | ||
Ni Ju Hachi | Step back R4 to establish Heiko Dachi F3 | Convert to a reverse grip with a vertical overhand motion then perform a series of three or more wrist outturn spins. | Convert to a reverse grip with a vertical overhand motion and then perform a series of three or more wrist outturn spins. | Begin with the left weapon first. The spins should be interleaved such that one weapon is striking forward as the other is moving back. |
Ni Ju Ku | Step back R6 to create Hidari Kokutsu Dachi F1 | Convert to a standard grip and issue a Hidari Age Uke T1. | Convert to a standard grip and issue a Migi Gedan Barai T7 | Both blocks occur concurrently. |
San Ju | Step forward R1 to form Heiko Dachi F1 | Deliver Hidari Chudan Tsuki T1 | Deliver Migi Chudan Tsuki T1 | Both strikes occur concurrently |
San Ju Ichi | Perform the closing salutation and Yame |