Seiza manner

[pritt]

may i ask the seiza manner when i holding a pair of sai?
can i put down the sai in both my side (one on left and one
on the right) when i seiza on the floor and bow? is that alright?

thanks!

[TimJurgens]

Generally only Iai or Kendo type classes end up bowing with a weapon. That usually is to show reverence for the weapon itself. In Okinawa we would only do a formal bow from Seiza at the beginning and ending of class and usually the weapons are gathered up before that. If not then generally they would be put to the left side together but that was just to kind of get them out the way if you follow what I am saying. The left side for Sai is used as that is the hand we hold them in when doing the standing bow before begining the Kata. Weapons that were held in the right hand are Nunchakku, Tekko, and Kama. Akamine sensei explained that they were held in the right as they could be used immedieatly from the right hand where as Sai generally have an action similar to dwawing a Sword where the energy is generalted by crossing the center of the body. Kind of makes sense but then you could use the same logic for holding them on the right and striking to the left. Anyway I don't have a hard and fast answer but hope that this bit of rambling helps.

[Trevor Johnson]

I've got another seiza-related question. I've always been told that seiza is done with the knees closely together, especially for women, and that wider knees are the sign of someone who doesn't know seiza, or a bumpkin. I'm seeing a woman instructor, Okinawan style, who's sitting with her knees at almost 90 degrees from each other. Is this Okinawan, or just wrong? (I don't think she'd take it well if I said anything, this is more for my own personal knowledge. )

[Blackwood]

It was mentioned to me that women should have a fist between the knees and that men should have two fists. I don't recall who told me that, so can't vouch for the accuracy of the statement. I'll wait for additional verification here!

[CEB]

Women - Legs together ( no gap ). Men 2 fist gap is fine.

Perhaps some Ryu allow their women to be a little bit more risque.

[Doug Daulton]

In my experience, Tim has the right answer. In almost every situation, the weapons are put away before seiza. The only time I've seen someone in seiza with weapons is during a test or some other sort of embu where time does not allow for storing them out of the way. In these instances, the rule is generally to handle them crisply and quietly.

Sai are simply laid at the right side with the pommel level with the knee and controlled until both have settled without rattling. This same rule holds true for tonfa, nunchaku, etc. The only exception might be tekko. These are often secured inside the gi, tucked into the belt to keep them quiet.

In all cases, the emphasis on quiet is not so much because of the sound. Rather, the process of quieting the weapons also secures them so they are not going to flop around and injure you or someone else on the deck. Quiet is polite, which is good. But secure is safe, which is better. Does that distinction make sense?

Again, these are the rare exception. 99% of the time, weapons are racked before seiza.

Hope that helps.