Sai: Karate Weapon of Self-Defense (Literary Links to the Orient) [Paperback]

Fumio Demura (Author)

Book Description

Series: Literary Links to the Orient | Publication Date: August 1, 1974

The basics of sai anatomy, history, and technique are presented in this critically acclaimed vintage text that demonstrates a variety of warm-up, gripping, handling, flipping, striking, blocking, and sparring techniques - as well as footwork, stances, and combinations - through detailed photographic sequences and illustrations. The author's clear and concise explanations foster an understanding of the weapon as an extension of the body, making this a perfect book for the new martial artist or for the veteran seeking to expand his or her repertoire.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Black Belt Communications (August 1, 1974)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0897500105
• ISBN-13: 978-0897500104
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #311,888 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent introduction to the sai., November 8, 2001

By 

T. Marker "wude" (Columbus, OH United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sai: Karate Weapon of Self-Defense (Literary Links to the Orient) (Paperback)

Demura always does a wonderful job of introducing various Kobudo weapons. This book is no exception. If you are a beginner to using the sai, or you're an experienced martial artist interested in this weapon but have no instructor, you should find this a good introductory guide.

Demura gives an excellent history on the sai, shows different types used in the past, as well as a good breakdown of basic techniques. Good kata and one-steps as well. Self-defenses are a little anachronistic - after all, sai v. sword fights don't happen all to often these days - but the applications are valid.

Some law enforcement officers may have seen the rapid rotation baton. Like the PR-24 being inspired by the tonfa, the RR baton seems to be influenced by the sai.

This book should open your eyes to the more traditional uses of the sai, and inspire you to come up with more ideas for yourself.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book gave me a great start on training with the sai, July 27, 2000

By 

Peter Reins (Olney, MD USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sai: Karate Weapon of Self-Defense (Literary Links to the Orient) (Paperback)

This fully illustrated book showed me the proper ways of gripping, stances, blocking, karate and sai similarities, movements, footwork and sparring. For me, this book was basically my teacher on learning the sai. This book is great for people who want to go to the extreme of tournament fighting or for those who just want to learn it just for the sake of knowing how it use the sai. Great book!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most comprehensive sai book available, August 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Sai: Karate Weapon of Self-Defense (Literary Links to the Orient) (Paperback)

This is an excellent book for those who are just starting their training with the sai. It offers everything from the history of the weapon to its application in combat. The book is easy to follow, including good quality photographs of Fumio Demura. It would have been nice to see full katas, but the basic routines are certainly suitable for beginners. In short, whether you want a book to support sai training in a school, or you simply want to learn the basics on your own, this is the book to choose