Weapons in martial arts can seem exotic and arcane to those unfamiliar with them. The origins of Okinawan weapons tend to be mundane, though, and based on everyday items. The tonfa, a right-angled hand-held weapon, can be used to hit or block. Fumio Demura, author of “Tonfa, Karate Weapon of Self-Defense,” notes that the tonfa is treated like an extension of the hand, allowing a practitioner to smoothly integrate the weapon into karate moves.
Hitting and Blocking
The tonfa is held securely but loosely enough so that the handle can spin in the user’s hand. Demura writes that one of the dangers of working with the tonfa is hitting yourself if you allow your arm to bend too much and toward you. Your arm can be bent, but it must be extended to put distance between your torso and the weapon. Strikes can involve simply holding the tonfa steady and hitting with the end instead of the fist, or spinning the tonfa into the opponent. Two tonfas can form a cross to block a downward swing, instead of letting the attacking weapon hit crossed arms.
Care
The state of the tonfa affects technique. If the wood cracks or splinters, not only would the user get cuts from those, but also the structural integrity of the tonfa would be compromised. Tadashi Yamashita, author of “Advanced Tonfa: Japanese Weapon of Self-Defense,” writes that this can cause the handle and shaft to break apart. He also warns that when the tonfa hits something, a little bit of the wood can actually go flying, so users must take care not to let those get in their eyes. Inspect a tonfa before each class and practice session; Yamashita recommends checking it during and after as well. Demura notes the tonfa should be cleaned regularly with a cloth and vegetable oil.
Identification
The tonfa, which resembles a handle , probably is in fact based on a millstone handle. After Japan banned the use of weapons in Okinawa in the 17th century, residents of the island based new weapons on items in regular use. This allowed them to remain armed but keep the weapons essentially hidden. The tonfa has a short handle that the user grips, with a longer shaft usually running parallel to the user’s wrist and arm. Depending on the situation, the tonfa can be held from any number of positions on the handle or shaft. The user can hide the long shaft inside a baggy sleeve. The Okinawan Karate Club in Dallas, Texas, claims the police batons used in the United States are based on the tonfa.
Caution
Do not attempt training with tonfa or any other weapon without an instructor’s agreement and supervision. These obviously are not toys, and you risk injury if you use them incorrectly. Not only can you hit yourself, but also Demura warns some of the moves require snapping wrist movements. These could potentially cause a sprain if not done right. Find a qualified school if you want to learn weaponry, and be prepared for the instructor to tell you that you won’t be able to for several years.
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