"The sai, for a fierce and fearless warrior, who will always fight the hardest for his family."
— Splinter in Lone Rat and Cubs
The Sai is an offensive stabbing weapon originating in Okinawa. It is often mistaken for a dagger, as its use in the TMNT media would sometimes reflect. Unlike a dagger, the sai is not a bladed weapon, instead having a round or an octagonal prong which is sharp at the tip. Therefore the sai is not actually suitable for slicing like a dagger as sometimes shown in TMNT media, but excels in stabbing and trapping.
Several characters in the series have used sai, but they are mostly associated with Raphael. In traditional sai combat, they are carried in pairs, called saitachi. They are used for stabbing and striking, as well as blocking and trapping enemy weapons.