Dagger of Defense Sai, 16th century (46.5cm)

The sai is a weapon of Asian origin but preserved in its handling in Okinawan. Its basic shape is that of a dagger without a sharp edge but with a sharp point, with two long lateral protections ('guard hands' or tsuba in Japanese) also pointed, attached to the handle. Sai are constructed in various ways, in some, the central tip is round and smooth, while others are octagonal. The tsuba is traditionally symmetrical, with both points pointing forward, however there are some variations of the Sai. In the design of the Manji Sai developed by Taira Shinken the tips are opposite, that is, one point towards the front and one towards the back. Another variant is the jitte, which was widely used by the Japanese police in the Edo period, it has only one point in the tsuba in the same direction as the main point.
The usefulness of the sai as a weapon is It owes its characteristic form. Traditionally, the Sai were worn at the waist, two on the sides, as primary weapons, and a third kept behind, to launch or replace one that had been taken away, or lost. The sai are used today as a defensive weapon, they can block punches and attack sharply using the sharp central tip or striking forcefully with the lateral part of the central tip or with the base of the handle. They can also be used as a throwing weapon, having a deadly range of about 3 meters.
Sai can be used effectively against a katana (Japanese sword) by trapping and still bending the blade of the sword with one of the tsuba or against a bō (long cane) using them in the same way. Experts can retain an opponent's weapon and disarm it with a twist of the wrist. In case of being used as a throwing weapon, the iron sai (or contemporary steel) despite being heavy, is well balanced and can be launched with enough force. There are several ways to handle the sai with your hands, which makes them very versatile weapons, and can also be used as a lethal and non-lethal weapon.
The sai is a traditional weapon included in the curriculum of the Kobudō martial art schools (schools dedicated to the teaching of traditional weapons management) and in several Okinawa karate schools that still include this discipline, in their degree program, along with the teaching of other traditional weapons, such as bo , the tonfa, the Kama (weapon), the tekko, etc ...
The use portrayed in movies and video games has little or nothing to do with their applications, history or tradition. Some examples of Sai in popular culture:
- -Rafael-, character of the Ninja Turtles, is known for using Sai.
- Elektra Natchios, Marvel Comics character, uses Sai.
- In the movie The Mummy 2, Sai fights can be observed. (They appear out of context, as this film is set in Ancient Egypt.)
- Mileena de Mortal Kombat uses the sais as a primary weapon.
- Gabrielle de Xena: the warrior princess uses two sai to fight in the last seasons of this television series.
- Neo, in the movie The Matrix Reloaded, uses a pair of sai in the fight against the subordinates of the Merovingian
- In the video game Patapon 3 is a weapon that only the Myamsar class can use.
- In the GI movie Joe 2, actor Lee Byung Hun, who plays Storm Shadow, uses sais to defend himself.
- In the game Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance are used by Monsoon and are acquired after defeating him. They have magnetic properties.
- In the Crayon Shin Chan series, Tane Igasimasuyama Mrs. Ujuin's housekeeper drives a Sai to scare those who try to paint on the wall of the house, it appears in chapter 133 (I do Graffiti on the wall).
- In the MOBA Smite the item Sais de Qin grants an increase of 40 damage points and 15% attack speed.
- In the second season of the Into the series Badlands, villain Quinn uses a pair of sais in his final fight against Sunny.