From an article on FightingArts.Com titled Taira, Shinken (1897-??) by Mario McKenna,
Origin of the
Manji Sai
It
was during his time teaching in Gunma Prefecture that Taira allegedly developed the Manji sai and its accompanying kata.
The manji sai is a metal truncheon
resembling the shape of a swastika (See Weaponry of Ryukyu Kobudo). Although
the manji sai has had a long history
in China and Okinawa (where it is commonly employed at the end of a 6' staff
and is referred to as a Nunte Bo) Taira's
inspiration for the weapon supposedly came after visiting a local Buddhist
temple located outside the city to pray for the success of his newly opened
dojo. There he saw a large Manji (the
ancient Sanskrit symbol of life and rebirth) which resembled in Taira's eyes
a Kobudo weapon (Ryukyu Kobudo Hozon
Shinkokai, 1977). Almost instantly Taira was inspired as to how to create a weapon
from its unique shape.
Immediately
after he returned to his dojo, he formulated his ideas for both the
construction of the Manji sai and
the sai kata Jigen
no Sai. The kata itself is based upon techniques Taira had learned
in other sai kata, with one unique difference. The Jigen no sai kata takes advantage of
the Manji sai's unique shape (both
sides of the weapon having a sharp point) and employs many double handed
thrusting techniques (Minowa Katsuhiko, personal interview, 1996).
It
is interesting to note that the kanji that Taira selected for his new kata, Jigen no Sai can be translated as the
"foundation of love / compassion".
Taira's choice of kanji may be perhaps due to the source of his inspiration: a
Buddhist symbol.
Jigen no Manji Sai
The article on Taira, Shinken is located at
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