Nippon Sai

(Also known as Tsuken Shitahaku no sai )

One thing to note about this kata is that it uses horizontal punches instead of usual vertical.

1. Formal Bow (north)

2. Step right foot back, step left foot into cat stance, hands down and sai open.

Shuffle forward with feet together, strike both sai top of head strike.

3. Step right foot out, turn 90 degrees, left hand head level block. (west)

Step right foot forward into short forward stance, right hand punch, inside head strike, middle cover.

Step left foot forward into short forward stance, left hand punch, inside head strike, middle cover.

Step right foot out into long forward stance, right hand punch, inside head strike, bring back foot to front, top of the head strike, step left foot back, right hand cover, pull back, punch.

4. Step right foot around, turn 180 degrees into left foot foward short forward stance, left hand head block. (east)

Step right foot forward into short forward stance, right hand punch, inside head strike, middle cover.

Step left foot forward into short forward stance, left hand punch, inside head strike, middle cover.

Step right foot out into long forward stance, right hand punch, inside head strike, bring back foot to front, top of the head strike, step left foot back, right hand cover, pull back, punch.

5. Turn 90 degrees, facing back, into right foot forward long forward stance, right hand groin block (south)

Right hand inside head strike, bring back foot to front, top of the head strike, step left foot back, left hand cover, pull back, punch.

6. Turn 180 degrees into left foot forward short forward stance, left hand head block. (north)

Step right foot forward into short forward stance, right hand punch, inside head strike, middle cover.

Step left foot forward into short forward stance, left hand punch, inside head strike, middle cover.

Step right foot forward into long forward stance, right hand punch, inside head strike, bring back foot to front, top of the head strike, step left foot back, right hand cover, pull back, punch.

7. Turn back foot out into kokutsu-dachi, and cover. (north)

Shift into forward stance, double punch down, palms facing out.

Pull right leg back to feet together, prepare sai at hips, step back out into forward stance, double middle punch.

Pull right leg back to feet together, drop open sai down, double head strike, step back out into forward stance

Turn back foot out into kokutsu-dachi, and cover.

8. Turn 180 degees into a 45 degree sumo stance facing the back, left hand head level block. (north)

9. Turn to left into right foot forward long forward stance, right hand punch, inside head strike, bring back foot to front, top of the head strike, step left foot back, right hand cover, pull back, punch and step into feet parallel long forward stance. (west)

10. Swivel 180 degrees, strike left hand side head strike, bring back foot to front, top of the head strike, step right foot back, left hand cover, pull back, punch and step into long forward stance.

11. Step right foot forward 90 degrees facing the back into forward stance, right hand side middle strike, cover. (east)

Step left foot forward into forward stance, left hand middle strike, cover.

Step right foot forward into long forward stance, right hand inside head strike, bring back foot to front, top of the head strike, step left foot back, right hand cover, pull back, punch.

12. Turn back foot out into kokutsu-dachi, and cover. (south)

Shift into forward stance, double punch down, palms facing out.

Pull right leg back to feet together, prepare sai at hips, step back out into forward stance, double middle punch.

Pull right leg back to feet together, drop open sai down, double head strike, step back out into forward stance

Turn back foot out into kokutsu-dachi, and cover.

13. Turn 180 degrees into left foot forward stance, left hand groin block. (north)

14. Step right foot forward into sumo stance, double kidney strike. (west)

Bring right foot to left, hands parallel in front of your body, then move right foot back out, with two outward head blocks.

Bring right foot back and kneel, sai punching the floor.

15. Step right foot into right foot forward long forward stance, right hand inside head strike, bring back foot to front, top of the head strike, step left foot back, right hand cover, pull back, punch. (north)

16. Turn 180 degrees into left foot forward stance, left hand groin block. (south)

Step right foot forward into forward stance, right hand middle punch.

Step left foot forward into forward stance, left hand middle punch.

Step right foot forward into long forward stance, right hand middle punch.

17. Step in and out with right leg into parallel stance, right hand head strike, followed by left hand head stike. (east)

Swivel on left foot, facing west, the front, sai perpared tames parallel to the ground at left hip.

Step out with left foot, pushing out to right side with sai, tames perpendicular to the ground.

Step left leg back into feet together, facing east, sai prepared tames parallel to the ground at right hip.

Step out with right foot, pushing out to left side with sai, tames perpendicular to the ground.

Swivel into left foot forward long stance, right hand closed sai middle block, left hand closed sai groin block.

Pivot on elbows into left hand closed sai open middle block, right hand outwards groin block.

17. Step right foot back, bow.