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RARE VINTAGE TOKIDU / AWMA HEAVYWEIGHT BLACK OCTAGON SAI — MATCHED PAIR — CIRCA EARLY 1980s
Offered here is a scarce matched pair of vintage TOKIDU heavyweight Black Octagon Sai, associated with Asian World of Martial Arts (AWMA) and dating to approximately the early 1980s.
These are exceptionally substantial old-school martial-arts training pieces with a quality, weight and presence dramatically different from lightweight modern or decorative sai.
Each sai measures exactly 19.5 inches overall and weighs 1 lb 9 oz, giving the pair a combined weight of approximately 3 lb 2 oz.
The pair features heavy steel construction, a black finish, long faceted / octagonal central shafts, broad swept yoku side guards with upturned tips, substantial center junctions, large faceted pommels and black spiral-wrapped grips retaining the repeated TOKIDU branding.
The 19.5-inch Black Octagon Sai configuration corresponds closely with vintage AWMA/TOKIDU equipment known from the late 1970s and early 1980s martial-arts boom, when Asian World of Martial Arts was one of the major American suppliers of karate and kobudo equipment.
Period owners specifically remember these older AWMA/TOKIDU sai for their heavy, solid construction, and surviving original matched pairs are considerably less common today than contemporary martial-arts equipment.
PARTICULARLY NOTEWORTHY FEATURES
• Vintage TOKIDU / AWMA martial-arts equipment
• Circa early 1980s
• Scarce Black Octagon Sai configuration
• Complete matched pair
• Exactly 19.5 inches long each
• Exactly 1 lb 9 oz each
• Approximately 3 lb 2 oz combined weight
• Heavy steel construction
• Long faceted / octagonal shafts
• Broad swept side guards / yoku
• Substantial reinforced center construction
• Large faceted metal pommels
• Black vintage finish
• Original-style black spiral grip wrapping
• Repeated TOKIDU branding visible on grips
• Closely matched weight, length, proportions and construction
The exceptional weight deserves particular mention.
At 1 pound 9 ounces per sai, these are extremely substantial pieces. The thick steel construction, broad guards, heavy faceted pommels and long octagonal shafts give them tremendous presence in the hand and distinguish them immediately from inexpensive lightweight contemporary examples.
This pair also retains an especially important identifying feature: the TOKIDU name remains visible repeatedly within the grip wrapping.
CONDITION
Very good vintage condition for martial-arts equipment approximately four decades old.
There is honest age and training wear including scattered surface marks, rubbing and losses to portions of the black finish, minor oxidation/discoloration and wear around the pommels and guard junctions.
These signs of use are consistent with vintage martial-arts equipment originally manufactured as serious training weapons rather than decorative display pieces.
Both central shafts appear straight, and the two sai remain extremely well matched in size, weight and overall construction.
They have not been refinished or artificially restored and retain their appealing vintage character.
MEASUREMENTS
Length: 19.5 inches each
Weight: 1 lb 9 oz each
Combined Weight: Approximately 3 lb 2 oz
IDENTIFICATION
Brand: TOKIDU / Asian World of Martial Arts (AWMA)
Model / Type: Black Octagon Sai — 19.5”
Period: Circa early 1980s
Material: Heavy steel
Quantity: Matched Pair / 2 Sai
A particularly interesting survivor for collectors of vintage karate equipment, Okinawan kobudo, Asian World of Martial Arts memorabilia, TOKIDU martial-arts equipment, vintage sai, 1980s martial arts and historic training weapons.
Original vintage martial-arts equipment of this weight and construction has become increasingly difficult to find, particularly as a complete, closely matched TOKIDU-branded pair.
Please examine all photographs carefully for exact condition, finish, construction and markings.
You will receive the exact matched pair shown.
SHIPPING
Carefully packed and shipped within 1–2 business days with tracking and insurance provided.
