Alright, let’s talk about this thing, what’s it called? Sai. Yeah, that’s it. You know, I seen a thing or two in my time, but this sai, it’s somethin’ else. Looks like a fork, a big one. You wouldn’t eat with it, though. No sir. It’s for, well, it ain’t for dinner, that’s for sure.
Now, I hear them young folks, they call it “sai techniques“. They use these things, these sai, for fightin’. Not like how we used to, with our fists. They got all sorts of fancy moves, twirlin’ them around. Back in my day, we didn’t have no sai. We just had hard work and tougher hands. But these kids today they learn it in that karate.
Karate, that’s what they call it. Seems like everyone and their brother is doin’ karate these days. They say it’s good for you. Keeps you fit. Maybe. I reckon wringing a chicken’s neck is good exercise, too. And you get a meal out of it. But that’s just me. Anyway, this sai, it’s part of that karate. They use it for all sorts of things.
They got these moves, like I said. They call ’em “strikes”. They hit things with the sai. Not people, I hope. Leastways, not usually. They got blocks, too. They use the sai to stop someone from hittin’ them. And spins. Oh, they love to spin them things. Round and round, like a little windmill. Looks kinda pretty, I guess, if you’re into that sort of thing.
So, they practice these sai techniques. They say it teaches ’em to defend themselves. “Self-defense,” they call it. I suppose that’s important. World ain’t as safe as it used to be. Back when, we just had a good holler and a strong right hook. That was all the self-defense we needed. But it’s different now, I guess. Different times.
I seen ’em at the, you know, that place where they do the karate. They all lined up, doin’ the same moves. Like little soldiers. All serious-like. They practice and practice. Gotta get it just right, you see. This sai ain’t somethin’ you just pick up and start swingin’. Gotta learn the right way to do it.
My grandson, he does the karate. He tried to show me some of the sai techniques. Bless his heart. He was all excited, showin’ me how to hold it, how to move it. I just nodded along. Don’t have the heart to tell him it all looks like a bunch of foolishness to me. But he enjoys it. And it keeps him out of trouble. So that’s somethin’, ain’t it?
They say this sai, it’s a weapon. A real weapon. Well, I suppose anything can be a weapon if you use it right. A rolling pin can be a weapon. A good heavy skillet. I seen a woman chase off a bear with a broom once. True story. So, yeah, I guess this sai can be a weapon, too.
It is used in many martial arts, like:
- Karate
- Maybe others too
But it’s mainly that karate, though. That’s where you see it the most. Them karate folks, they sure do love their sai. They even got competitions, I hear. They get together and show off their sai techniques. See who’s the best. Like a county fair, but with more yellin’ and less pie.
I don’t know. Maybe I’m just gettin’ old. But it all seems a bit much to me. All this sai and karate. But, like I said, times change. And I reckon these young folks, they gotta find their own way. If that means swingin’ around a big fork, well, so be it. As long as they are happy, and strong, using that sai.
Just as long as they don’t try to use it on their old grandma. I still got a few tricks up my sleeve. Don’t need no sai to defend myself. Just a good sturdy pair of shoes and a whole lot of grit. That’s all you really need, you know? That and maybe a good, strong cup of coffee to get you going in the morning. But that’s a whole other story, ain’t it?
This sai, well, it’s a thing. That’s for sure. A thing that’s here to stay, it seems. So we might as well get used to it. Might as well learn a little somethin’ about it. You never know, it might come in handy someday. Maybe I’ll ask my grandson to teach me a thing or two. Just in case. You never can be too careful, you know? Especially these days. Yep, this world. It’s a wild one. You need to learn self-defense. Always somethin’.
