How to Spin a Sai

A sai is a traditional martial arts weapon with origins in Okinawa, Japan. It consists of the yoku (2 metal protrusions from the handle) with a prong blade that is either octagon or round. The primary striking surface of the sai is the knuckle at the base of the handle--the blade is merely used for trapping and disarming an opponent of their weapon. Learning to spin a sai has no defensive or offensive application, but it looks cool.

Instructions

1. 

   Hold the sai inside the yoku (the 2 protrusions) with your index finger and middle finger. Place the blade between those fingers.

2. Close your hand with your palm toward your body. Hold your arm out away from your body with your shoulder at a 45-degree angle, your elbow bent at a 90-degree angle. The sai should be pointing to the ceiling.

3. 

   Open your hand and allow the sai to drop away from your body toward the floor.

4. 

   Rotate the wrist away from your body, before the sai hits your elbow. Bend the wrist slightly downward while rotating the palm to face away from your body.

5. 

   Close the hand and lift the wrist. This will pull the blade of the sai back up toward the ceiling.

6. 

   Rotate the wrist 180 degrees, turning the palm toward your body.

7. Repeat from Step 3, over and over. Practice the movement and soon you'll be able to spin a sai with ease!