INTRODUCTION OF THE “PHẢN CÔNG” SAI FORM:
“PHẢN CÔNG” means “Counterattack” in Vietnamese. It is pronounced similarly to “Falcon” in English. Sai form was created and written by Master Vu Trinh, a sixth-degree black belt from the Cuong Nhu Martial Arts Association. Master Vu has taught martial arts in Vietnam for many years and has continued to teach Cuong Nhu in the United States for more than 40 years at Florida State University (FSU). Because he once trained with the Regional Shaolin Kungfu Chief Instructor, the late Grand Master Cong Nguyen, in Central Vietnam, Master Vu Trinh has always had a fond passion for martial arts weaponry such as Sickle (Kama), short/long stick, Sai, Samurai sword, Butterfly sword, etc. While teaching Shaolin Kungfu in Vietnam and the United States, Master Vu has contributed his duties to the style by creating several empty hands along with weapon forms, the “PHẢN CÔNG,” “Falcon,” or “Counterattack” form is among these martial arts contributions.
While teaching Cuong Nhu Martial Arts at FSU, Master Vu has created several weapon forms for his students to compete in the tournaments. Sensei Michael Hornback, currently a fourth-degree black belt and head instructor at his own dojo in Orlando, took 1st place with a Samurai sword form that was created by Master Vu, and Sensei Tomohiro, a Japanese student who has now returned to Japan, who was attending FSU during that time, took 1st place with a Nunchuck form that was also created by Master Vu Trinh. Master Vu has won a couple of 1st places in the Black Belt and Master Weaponry Divisions with his Sai forms during the tournaments in Florida and Georgia.
Normally, small-size weapons like Sai have mainly been used for self-defense purposes. As a result, in most cases, the designed techniques for them were with blocking techniques first, then followed up with a counterattack technique. Unlike those ideas or principles, the “PHẢN CÔNG” Sai Form has been created with many techniques that block and counterattack at the same time to reflect the meaning of the “PHẢN CÔNG” or “Counterattack”. By doing so, the counterattack techniques will help the performers to defend themselves not only more effectively but also
successfully.
INTRODUCTION OF THE SAI:
Sai (in some places, called Chai or Chĩa) is normally used in ninjutsu and/or kobujutsu. Basically, it’s a large (18–55”) metal prong with two smaller curved side prongs extending from a handle. This weapon is designed for stabbing, striking, and blocking. Traditionally, Sai are used in pairs, one for each hand.
During combat, one is used for blocking or trapping, the other is used for striking, tip-poking, or punching with the butt of the Sai. It was said that the practice of the Sai originated in Okinawa. Judicial officials from Okinawa used the Sai as their domestic weapon to apprehend criminals without hurting them physically and control the crowded rallies. Eventually, Sai became famous and is used in many countries all over the world such as Japan, China, Vietnam, Thailand, Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, India, and Italy. Sai has a distinctive shape. In most cases, Sai is mainly used for defensive purposes since they are considered small, easy to hide, and quick to get ready against attackers. With its long and sharp prong (Monouchi), Sai can be quite useful for quick blocks and fast, stabbing counterattacks. According to some martial arts experts, two of the best weapons the Sai can defend against are the bō staff and swords.
In the modern era, Sai became much more famous and popular as a weapon of self-defense after a demonstration in the Budokan (an indoor arena located in Tokyo) in 1970. Master of Karate, Ryusho Sakagami (1915–1993), and his son Shihan Sadaaki Sakagami (1942–?) presented the skills required to use Sai. Some of the pioneers in promoting Sai techniques were masters Minowa Katsuhiko (1927–2003) and Kei Tsumura (1936–?). One of the first books about these given techniques was published in Tokyo in 1969 by master Ryusho Sakagami. Several years later, in 1978, the master of the Shito Ryu style of Karate, Fumio Demura (1938–?), published a book on the same topic in America and it was a great success. Well-known books about Sai were written by masters Motokatsu Inoue (1918–1993), Patrick McCarthy (1954–?), Nick Adler (1939–?), George W. Alexander (1947–?), and Andrea Guarelli (1961–?).
While most beginners prefer lighter-weight Sai made of hard rubber or aluminum for easier performing purposes, many older Karate Masters have chosen to use a heavier Sai to strengthen their muscles, especially the group of muscles from their forearms and fists. In some cases, they even carried Sai while jogging to benefit their explosiveness and/or strength, as others wrapped iron weights around their wrists, stomach, or ankles.
Based on some martial arts legends, as early as the 1300s, some Buddhist monks, along with the merchants from China, traveled to Okinawa to lecture on Buddhism or promote their businesses; they also brought with them their martial arts skills and in many cases, a small type of weapon that looked similar to Sai, with the exception that they were a bit smaller, to protect themselves. According to the same sources, during the 1400s, carrying a weapon was illegal in Okinawa. As a result, hiding a tool like Sai to defend oneself had become popular at that time, as Sai could be hidden easily.
In the early 20th century, during the Vietnam War against the invaders from the surrounding countries, Sai was assigned to those soldiers with higher ranks, just as the use of pistols in the military, to reflect the authority of the carriers. The lower ranks normally carried much heavier or clumsier weapons such as long sticks, three-sectional staffs, or later, rifles.
A note from the author: Although the “PHẢN CÔNG” Sai Form consists of 10 directions, each of these directions has been constructed with approximately 15–40 different techniques. The introduction, “A,” in the beginning and the conclusion, “B,” and at the end of the form consist of another 85–95 additional techniques. As a result, the form will end up with a total of 266 moves (253 actual Sai movements and 13 empty-hand opening techniques). The primary objective of this combat “PHẢN CÔNG” Sai Form will be focused on a continuous and counterattacking concept. In order to achieve success, prior to performing the form, the students must study the entire form by completely memorizing all the moves, and understanding every application of these techniques.
Master Vu Trinh is performing his “PHẢN CÔNG” Form
Master Vu Trinh in his Martial Arts room at home
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