Rokusai / Sai dai Ichi Step-by-step Breakdown
Karate | Kobudo

How to Learn Sai Kata Rokusai / Sai dai Ichi with Step by Step Breakdown

July 1, 2021 by
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This post shows the step-by-step breakdown of the previous Sai kata video, Rokusai/Sai dai Ichi. It uses a series of freeze-frames from the practice video to show each of the specific moves in the Sai kata (form) along with descriptions and tips. It also includes a step-by-step PDF reference sheet that you may download and print. Along with the previous practice video, this should greatly help you learn and practice this Sai kata as a supplement to your local instruction.

[Note: The photos below are freeze frames from the live action practice video, so they are not as perfect as if they were specifically posed photos for each move.] 

Rokusai / Sai dai Ichi Freeze-Frame Step-by-Step Breakdown

Rokusai / Sai dai Ichi is a Matsubayashi-ryu kobudo Sai kata which incorporates a repeating series of basic strikes and blocks with the Sai. This repetition helps drill the proper handling and manipulation of the Sai which takes more practice than the Bo.

Opening Sequence

1A) Yoi. Musubi-dachi (North). Both Sai in L-hand closed by side.
1B) Rei (bow).
2A) Raise L-hand sai closed. Step out L Hachiji-dachi. Take one Sai in each hand.
2B) Lower Sai closed, like Pinan’s Yoi.
3A) Raise Sai double open chest blocks. Announce: Roku Sai
3B) Return Sai down by sides closed.

First Set of Repeating Sai Sequence (N)

4A) R step forward Shizentai-daichi. R chest block.
4B) L step forward Shizentai-daichi. L chest block.
4C) R step forward Shizentai-daichi. R chest block.
5A) R step forward to R Zenkutsu-dachi. R closed low block.
5B) L Gyaku-zuki. R chamber.

6) Pull back R Neko-ashi-dachi. Double closed center low split block (knuckles together). [Push out toward the sides keeping sai vertical, on each of these blocks.]
7A) R-step Zenkutsu-dachi. Double closed punch (high).
7B) Double open high down strikes (collarbones).
8) Turn L into shiko-dachi (facing W looking S). Sweep double open low strikes (S).
9A) Stay in shiko-dachi (face W). L closed side low block.
9B) R-kaku-zuki (square punch) (S).

Second Set of Repeating Sai Sequence (S)

10A) R step forward Shizentai-daichi. R chest block.
10B) L step forward Shizentai-daichi. L chest block.
10C) R step forward Shizentai-daichi. R chest block.
11A) R step forward to R Zenkutsu-dachi. R closed low block.
11B) R Gyaku-zuki. L chamber.
12) Pull back R Neko-ashi-dachi. Double closed center low split block (knuckles together). [Push out toward the sides keeping sai vertical, on each of these blocks.]
13A) R-step Zenkutsu-dachi. Double closed punch (high).
13B) Double open high down strikes (collarbones).
14) Turn L into shiko-dachi (facing E looking N). Sweep double open low strikes (N).
15A) Stay in shiko-dachi (face W). L closed side low block.
15B) R-kaku-zuki (square punch) (N).

Side to Side Sai Strikes

16) R step forward shiko-dachi (face N look E). R open side strike (E).
17A) Shuffle R shiko-dachi (E). R closed side low block.
17B) L-Kaku-zuki L (E). R chamber.
18) Shuffle L shiko-dachi (W). L open side strike (W).
19A) Shuffle L shiko-dachi (W). L closed side low block.
19B) R-Kaku-zuki (W). L chamber.

Third Set of Repeating Sai Sequence (N)

20A) R step forward Shizentai-daichi. R chest block.
20B) L step forward Shizentai-daichi. L chest block.
20C) R step forward Shizentai-daichi. R chest block.
21A) R step forward to R Zenkutsu-dachi. R closed low block.
21B) L Gyaku-zuki. R chamber.
22) Pull back R Neko-ashi-dachi. Double closed center low split block (knuckles together). [Push out toward the sides keeping sai vertical, on each of these blocks.]
23A) R-step Zenkutsu-dachi. Double closed punch (high).
23B) Double open high down strikes (collarbones).
24) Turn L into shiko-dachi (facing W looking S). Sweep double open low strikes (S).
25A) Stay in shiko-dachi (face W). L closed side low block.
25B) R-kaku-zuki (square punch) (S).

Fourth Set of Repeating Sai Sequence (S)

26A) R step forward Shizentai-daichi. R chest block.
26B) L step forward Shizentai-daichi. L chest block.
26C) R step forward Shizentai-daichi. R chest block.
27A) R step forward to R Zenkutsu-dachi. R closed low block.
27B) R Gyaku-zuki. L chamber.
28) Pull back R Neko-ashi-dachi. Double closed center low split block (knuckles together). [Push out toward the sides keeping sai vertical, on each of these blocks.]
29A) R-step Zenkutsu-dachi. Double closed punch (high).
29B) Double open high down strikes (collarbones).
30) Turn L into shiko-dachi (facing E looking N). Sweep double open low strikes (N).
31A) Stay in shiko-dachi (face W). L closed side low block.
31B) R-kaku-zuki (square punch) (N).

Side to Side One Legged Sai Blocks

32) Turn L (face N look E). Raise R-leg, foot behind L-knee. R open side low block (E).
33A) Drop/shuffle-R into Shiko-dachi (face N look E). R closed side low block.
33B) L-Kaku-zuki (square punch) (E).
34) Raise L-leg, foot behind R-knee (face N look W). L open side low block (W).
35A) Drop/shuffle-L into Shiko-dachi (face N look W). L closed side low block.
35B) R-Kaku-zuki (square punch) (W).

Forward Stabbing Sequence

36) R step forward Nekoashi-dachi. R open chest block.
37) L step forward Nekoashi-dachi. Leaving R open. L open chest block.
38) R step forward Zenkutsu-dachi. R stab forward crossing L open chest block. Kiai.
39) R step back into L-Nekoashi-dachi (face N). Close both sai.

Side to Side Split Blocks

40) Shift L Naname-zenkutsu-dachi. L high block horizontal. R low block vertical.
41) Shift R Naname-zenkutsu-dachi. R high block horizontal. L low block vertical.

Closing Sequence

42A) Pull L-foot toward R into Hachiji-dachi. Double open chest blocks. [Note: Stance here should be Hachiji-dachi, as seen in next photo.)
42B) Close both Sai by sides.
43A) Step L to R musubi-dachi. Bring R-hand sai to L-hand.
43B) Lower Sai horizontal across solar plexus in L-hand. R-hand palm up below.
43C) Then both hands to sides.
43D) Rei (bow).

Rokusai / Sai dai Ichi PDF Reference Sheet

The following PDF reference sheet is a single condensed page to use as reference while learning and practicing the Sai kata. It is useful to help you remember what all the moves are until they are committed to muscle memory or for review to remember them after returning to the drill if it hasn’t been practiced in a while. I had created this reference sheet when I was first learning the kata myself. I hope it helps you as much as it helped me.

Download Rokusai / Sai dai Ichi Kata PDF Reference Sheet

Rokusai-Sai-dai-Ichi-07-01-21

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-Renshi Mike Scaramozzino

Shoshin Nagamine's book The Essence of Okinawan Karate-do Matsubayashi Ryu

Michael Scaramozzino is a Yondan (4th degree Black Belt) in Matsubayashi Ryu / Shorin Ryu karate and a Nidan (2nd degree Black belt) in Kobudo (Okinawan weapons). He also practices Qigong and Tai Chi. He holds the teaching rank of Renshi (Internationally licensed teacher) and has been training since 2005.

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