The sai is the primary short weapon taught in most Shorinjiryu Karate schools. Nijushiho no Sai is the main, and generally only, kata in the system for the sai. This short article is designed to provide some overview of the origins and development of this form.

Nijushiho no Sai is, as its name implies, derived from the fundamental form of Nijushiho, generally an intermediate level kata in most Shorinjiryu groups. However, most groups do not utilise the name Nijushiho no Sai for the Sai kata, instead referring to it as simply Sai no Kata. It is also occasionally referred to as Kudaka no Sai kata, in honour of the founder of Shorinjiryu Karate, Shinan Kori Hisataka – Hisataka is pronounced Kudaka in the original Okinawan dialect.

Nijushiho no Sai differs from most other sai kata taught in various karate and Ryukyuan kobudo traditions, in that it is generally less rigid and utilise a lot of blocking motions utilising circular sweeps of both sai. It also differs in that it utilises kicking techniques – something noteably absent in other sai forms.

In most Shorinjiryu groups, Nijushiho no Sai is the only form taught, although I have heard mention of a Goho no Sai kata, and also a Gojushiho no Sai. Nijushiho no Sai is a perfect complement to the Sai Bo no Randori taught in Shorinjiryu. More recently, Hanshi Masayuki Kukan Hisataka has introduced a Koshiki Naihanchin no Sai kata, based on the kata of the same name.

Nijushiho no Sai is generally introduced to students at around brown belt (1st or 2nd kyu) level.