Uechi Sanchin a Sai Kata?

[John Giacoletti]

This video is pretty interesting. This is the guy who wrote Barefoot Zen, if I'm not mistaken. The Sai-Sanchin seemed pretty convincing. The only technique that didn't seem to fit to me was the strike portion of the wauke. The lower hand, in particular, didn't seem to make sense, since the direction of the strike and the angle of the sai are off-set and the move wasn't done with a flip -- a flip up might be just the trick there.

[Kuma-de]

This link is from Toshihiro Oshiro, Sensei's web page discussing the sai and its historical roots and current day practice.

Oshiro Sensei, who I have attended seminars with, has a great "handle" on this weapon and uses it with ease.

I will also post a link to Youtube with him performing "Kyan no Sai" to demonstrate my premise.

http://www.oshirodojo.com/kobudo_sai.html

I was able to upload the following to my Youtube account to show you the difference of perspective of the Sanchin no Sai and the practical use of the sai. Yes, you can add kobudo weaponry to any kata (believe me I have seen it all!)

But what I look at is if the weapon is the focus of the kata, or just an appendage to someone doing a kata. The weapon should be seen in a complete control; and understanding of the weapon during the kata. The theories and 'heiho' behind the weapon. Not a few flips and twirls here and there. Kobudo is separate from "Te" and has its own paradigm behind the specific weaponry taught.

I would probably appreciate the presented video more if the focus was not on the timing and movements of the Uechi kata, but focusing on the 'sai' and adapting that to the Uechi philosophy and flow (i.e. bunkai or two man sets).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rhVaSHiLMY

[Victor Smith]

A friend from England recently lent me his copy of Mr. Johnson's book and it's dvd.

On the whole he put a tremendous amout of research into the book, mostly from the same sources I've gathered over the years, but all of is use of that research amounts to a case of special pleading to try and make his contentions.

Having started my own kobudo studies with Isshinryu's Chantan Yara No Sai, I think he could make a stronger case for the Uechi Sanchin/Sai link if he was using closed sai technique, as others have suggested.

Certainly empty hand kata may be retrofitted with kobudo technique, Isshinryu's founder Shimabuku Tatsuo did so with his Kusanku Sai, and there are few kata that others haven't done so either. It is possible that Taira Shinken suggested to Shimabuku Tatsuo to do so, for he was known to suggest to instructors they might do so, when they trained in some of his Kobudo too.

If the weapons technique is useful and well done, the kata base isn't terribly important.

BTW, personally I find Chantan Yara No Sai more than enough sai for my purposes.

But if you touch base with the range of traditional sai kata in existence, many of them seem more sound as they were likely built to use the sai's potential, versus using the kata to stage the sai.

[Bill Glasheen]

Very thoughtful commentary, Victor and Jim. Thanks.

Oshiro Sensei, who I have attended seminars with, has a great "handle" on this weapon and uses it with ease.

I will also post a link to Youtube with him performing "Kyan no Sai" to demonstrate my premise.

{snip}

Kyan no Sai

Holy cow, Jim. That's so good that it's sick!

I wish the film clip was more clear. While the kata isn't that complex, it's a fairly nice, basic form. And that performance is inspiring to say the least.

- Bill