Is the 4th (knee attack) really effective? I would think a full powerful swing from the staff would just continue through to the legs. Can you really block with enough force?
@RBIVscreamtherequiem Depends on how correct your technique is - it takes only a slight change (turn of the wrist, angle of the arm) to make it weak and ineffective.
ohayou gozaimasu sensei. haha the martial art i learn uses a short blade held at side of arm like tonfa too, the name of this weapon is parang lading, but tonfa not sharp and less dangerous to carry around. tonfa yappari sugoi, ima sukidesu. now i feel like making tonfa from pvc pipes and learn from your videos. but it will be less heavy and not much damage...
Outstanding videos. Thank you for posting. It's nice to see weapons videos taught from a combative persepctive and not the flashing sports movements seen at tournaments.
@iRawrDinsawr It is changing from kihon to gyaku kihon. We pivot forward and back, but not around and around as "spinning" would indicate. Figure-8 swivels work on this, but you also have to have power in this pivot, especially at the end of both yottsu waza, which is not just a change in position but also an attack down on top of head and up on jaw.
@lomper1 No, it is Okinawan kobudo, which has been around for about a thousand years, while Shotokan was founded by Funakoshi Gichin sensei in the 1920's as adaption from Okinawan karate. There are basic similarities in stances for all Japanese and Okinawan budo.
@IoriaM Please allow me to recommend, as I have had to do because of my hand configuration and size, to Carve the handle to reduce the Diameter thus accomodating your hands. Weapons are Not Generic, and at times must be modified to taylor own physique. I found that the carving and then Gross and Fine sanding to smooth out handle works Wonders. Hope this help. Oneigashimasu!!
@franklin3321 The Chinese mass-produced tonfa do not have a large enough gashida and do not have the curved form to the grip - if you find a Shureido tonfa, you will see the difference experienced, precise manufacturing makes.
wow... this is very interesting i really wanna learn how to use tonfas now D: but im like so broke and i dont know if there are any dojos around that offer tonfa lessons
@phillasianjo Probably not. Shihan will be setting up a website that allows these videos and others to be used in training, including the ability to submit video for critique - I think he quote $14.95 a month to view videos, testing an additional price.
I used to practice karate... Would I be able to transfer the skills I learnt from there to training with the tonfa, or are they two completely different disciplines?
No, Shotokan was created by Funikoshi from Okinawan karate - karate means empty hand (or sometimes Chinese hand), and used no weapons. You can see photos of Funikoshi using the sai, but he was, after all, Okinawan, and familiar with some of the traditional weapons used there. Tonfa/tuifa is part of kobudo, or "ancient weapons way", and while we may on occasion have a hand empty, our technique practices using a weapon and is separate from karate.
I think you misunderstood. I meant that Okinawan "Te" and Kobudo are what influenced karate, and later, shotokan. themasteratarms' comment about how it looked similar to shotokan is very likely, as many of the tonfa forms would have influenced karate forms later on. I wasn't saying that karate used weapons, I meant that Okinawan arts do.
While the theories of all martial arts are similar, and kobudo and karate have similar stances, these is not considered to be equivalent. This is why karate was introduced to the rest of Japan by Funikoshi, and kobudo was demonstrated by Matayoshi - separate arts, different adherents, even though each knew something of the others style (pictures show Funikoshi using the sai, and obviously Matayoshi knew how to use an empty hand). Since my sensei teaches both, I differ to her greater knowledge.
I keep trying to tell people who say they started in karate and added weapons this same fact, but this seems to be a Western trend of putting weapons into empty hands...
Probably *not* written by an Okinawan! An experience karateka doesn't get that way by using weapons, but learning new skills can make you more adaptable.
A Japanese, not an Okinawan - Japan only learned of karate from Funikoshi in 1914, the same year they officially were introduced to kobudo by Matayoshi. Japan adopted karate as a physical education for "the people" and altered it for that end. You might as well have quoted a tae kwon do writer.
Based on my Babelfish translation, I am sorry to say I only have the kata that are posted - there is another tonfa kata, but it is not on these videos.
Don't know who that was directed towards - I have a pair of Shureido tonfa, the best made, but I had cheap Chinese-made ones for a couple years when I started out.
How are those Shureido tonfas compared to the cheap Chinese-made ones? I just bought some cheap chinese ones from chinatown LA, but i was thinking about stopping by ShuriedoUSA to get better ones.
The Shureido version has better balance, a smooth finish (no lacqer), and more effective gashida (the bulge on the handle that prevents your hand from slipping off). I started out with the cheap ones, so you *can* learn with them, but they would creak a bit when I did pushups on them, so the better ones are like night and day!
I used to practice Karate shotokan three years ago. I practiced since I was six, and I can see that kobudo and karate are very closed to each other. I never practiced kobudo, but one of my teachers showed me nunchaku and made me want to learn, but it was a kind of artistic handling. Since that day, I want to learn kobudo, even if it's on my own, and those videos are very useful !
Exactly! That, along with sanchin-dachi, are the first ones we had to learn. Specific to karate are kihon zuki dachi for punch practice, and nekoashi-dachi in latter forms (not ones I've learned yet in karate, but the same stance is used a lot in kobudo).
This is just great.. Now I can begin practicing with my Tonfas'. And it has a lot in commen with Kyukushin. That is just great man.. Thank you very much for this clip!!
Is the 4th (knee attack) really effective? I would think a full powerful swing from the staff would just continue through to the legs. Can you really block with enough force?
RBIVscreamtherequiem 6 months ago
@RBIVscreamtherequiem Depends on how correct your technique is - it takes only a slight change (turn of the wrist, angle of the arm) to make it weak and ineffective.
hempev 6 months ago
Always a pleasure and an honor to watch these techniques! Thank you for creating these videos! :-)
holzhacker44 6 months ago
ohayou gozaimasu sensei. haha the martial art i learn uses a short blade held at side of arm like tonfa too, the name of this weapon is parang lading, but tonfa not sharp and less dangerous to carry around. tonfa yappari sugoi, ima sukidesu. now i feel like making tonfa from pvc pipes and learn from your videos. but it will be less heavy and not much damage...
de0509 7 months ago
Outstanding videos. Thank you for posting. It's nice to see weapons videos taught from a combative persepctive and not the flashing sports movements seen at tournaments.
ACTcombat1 7 months ago in playlist Tonfa
Thnx. for the exceptional instruction.oss.
fredkarat 9 months ago
any tips on how to spin faster but with alot of control?
iRawrDinsawr 9 months ago
@iRawrDinsawr It is changing from kihon to gyaku kihon. We pivot forward and back, but not around and around as "spinning" would indicate. Figure-8 swivels work on this, but you also have to have power in this pivot, especially at the end of both yottsu waza, which is not just a change in position but also an attack down on top of head and up on jaw.
hempev 9 months ago
is this shotokan karate? its the same stances
lomper1 1 year ago
@lomper1 No, it is Okinawan kobudo, which has been around for about a thousand years, while Shotokan was founded by Funakoshi Gichin sensei in the 1920's as adaption from Okinawan karate. There are basic similarities in stances for all Japanese and Okinawan budo.
hempev 1 year ago
I have a problem with it.... The Tonfa slips away from my hand when spin...and I must change the grip every time! What is the correct handle ?
IoriaM 1 year ago
@IoriaM Since this is the third time you've posted this, hopefully you've read my other replies. Bottom line: you get what you pay for.
hempev 1 year ago
@IoriaM Please allow me to recommend, as I have had to do because of my hand configuration and size, to Carve the handle to reduce the Diameter thus accomodating your hands. Weapons are Not Generic, and at times must be modified to taylor own physique. I found that the carving and then Gross and Fine sanding to smooth out handle works Wonders. Hope this help. Oneigashimasu!!
franklin3321 1 year ago
@franklin3321 thanks all for tips!
IoriaM 1 year ago
@franklin3321 The Chinese mass-produced tonfa do not have a large enough gashida and do not have the curved form to the grip - if you find a Shureido tonfa, you will see the difference experienced, precise manufacturing makes.
hempev 1 year ago
This guy's instructions are really clear
Gevito236 1 year ago
10 minutes of my life to see what I already know.......
JuzMe22 1 year ago
@JuzMe22 If you feel the need to say that, then you really don't know any of it.
hempev 1 year ago 6
Aaaa this guy has like perfect form, but it seems too regimented and not flowing enough..
Shinjinkiru 1 year ago
@Shinjinkiru This is an instructional tape, not a demo of kata or kumite
hempev 1 year ago 2
In eguish? :D
Shinjinkiru 1 year ago
You're a good teacher
NaoOkami 1 year ago
After watching a few more videos I decided to subscribe so I can come back and re watch all these.
Lostfaith1980 1 year ago
wow... this is very interesting i really wanna learn how to use tonfas now D: but im like so broke and i dont know if there are any dojos around that offer tonfa lessons
phillasianjo 1 year ago
@phillasianjo Probably not. Shihan will be setting up a website that allows these videos and others to be used in training, including the ability to submit video for critique - I think he quote $14.95 a month to view videos, testing an additional price.
hempev 1 year ago
If i ask, will you answer my stupid questions too?
deltalead89 1 year ago
I'll try.
hempev 1 year ago
Can a girl learn to use these?
cru5e 2 years ago 3
Probably faster than a boy can...
hempev 2 years ago 3
no women are only for making food and babies.
QuaziGNRLNose 1 year ago
@QuaziGNRLNose Considering my sensei is a woman, I think I disagree ;)
hempev 1 year ago 6
@QuaziGNRLNose
Women aren't objects...
Iori400 1 year ago
@Iori400 They are when they're the blow up kind.
Lostfaith1980 1 year ago
@Lostfaith1980
(kicks him in the nuts)
Just stfu..
Iori400 1 year ago
@Iori400 Poor guy. no sense of humour i see. i pitty you.
Lostfaith1980 1 year ago
@Lostfaith1980
dumb moron. no sense of humour..
Iori400 1 year ago
@Iori400 Ah I see. Your a troll. Then I shall end this pathetic exchange here. No point in feeding trolls.
Lostfaith1980 1 year ago
@Lostfaith1980
Nah i just want to piss you off beforei kill you.
Iori400 1 year ago
@Iori400 OK, that's enough, children - cut it out before I have to erase all this.
hempev 1 year ago
@cru5e I giggled! ^^
LittlePjusk 1 year ago
Thanks a lot for the vids. I draw from time to time some comics' fights and this helps a lot ^^
heroheart150 2 years ago 3
his videos load sooooo slowly....... haiz...
Foongification 2 years ago
It might be YouTube itself - usually load pretty fast for most folks...
hempev 2 years ago
I used to practice karate... Would I be able to transfer the skills I learnt from there to training with the tonfa, or are they two completely different disciplines?
TheStarmango 2 years ago
All martial arts have basic similarities, so it depends on how well you learned and how good the classes were.
hempev 2 years ago
where can you buy that tonfa?
suyoplive 2 years ago
CenturyMartialArts (.com) 0or ShureidoUSA
hempev 2 years ago
do you know of any videos or books that go over sparring against other weapons, like a katana or some such?
I've been looking around, but can't find anything like this.
Quixlox1234 2 years ago
No, not even against a tachi
hempev 2 years ago
they make spinning those things look so easy. maybe its the brand of tonfa but i have trouble doing that with mine.
kungfuxdrummer 3 years ago
this is so similar to shotokan karate-do . incredible
themasteratarms 3 years ago
Shotokan came from Okinawan karate, of which tonfa is one of the main weapons.
milotictear 3 years ago
No, Shotokan was created by Funikoshi from Okinawan karate - karate means empty hand (or sometimes Chinese hand), and used no weapons. You can see photos of Funikoshi using the sai, but he was, after all, Okinawan, and familiar with some of the traditional weapons used there. Tonfa/tuifa is part of kobudo, or "ancient weapons way", and while we may on occasion have a hand empty, our technique practices using a weapon and is separate from karate.
hempev 3 years ago
I think you misunderstood. I meant that Okinawan "Te" and Kobudo are what influenced karate, and later, shotokan. themasteratarms' comment about how it looked similar to shotokan is very likely, as many of the tonfa forms would have influenced karate forms later on. I wasn't saying that karate used weapons, I meant that Okinawan arts do.
milotictear 3 years ago
While the theories of all martial arts are similar, and kobudo and karate have similar stances, these is not considered to be equivalent. This is why karate was introduced to the rest of Japan by Funikoshi, and kobudo was demonstrated by Matayoshi - separate arts, different adherents, even though each knew something of the others style (pictures show Funikoshi using the sai, and obviously Matayoshi knew how to use an empty hand). Since my sensei teaches both, I differ to her greater knowledge.
hempev 3 years ago
I love this stuff, and I love my tonfa, they own all those lame swords and shit.
noisecape 3 years ago 2
karate uses no weapons. so where did you get that from?
themasteratarms 3 years ago
I keep trying to tell people who say they started in karate and added weapons this same fact, but this seems to be a Western trend of putting weapons into empty hands...
hempev 3 years ago
I've got a book here called 'Tonfa: Karate weapon of self defense'
demonstrates how many of the lessons of karate can be enhanced utilising tonfa and skills learned through karate.
Maybe I should learn karate.
noisecape 3 years ago
Probably *not* written by an Okinawan! An experience karateka doesn't get that way by using weapons, but learning new skills can make you more adaptable.
hempev 3 years ago
Written by Fumio Demura.
yes of course, what I'm saying is that you can use tonfa according to some karate you may know. not the other way around.
noisecape 3 years ago
A Japanese, not an Okinawan - Japan only learned of karate from Funikoshi in 1914, the same year they officially were introduced to kobudo by Matayoshi. Japan adopted karate as a physical education for "the people" and altered it for that end. You might as well have quoted a tae kwon do writer.
hempev 3 years ago
cool thanks for the info
noisecape 3 years ago
very interesting indeed
jimanHK 3 years ago
Bonjour,
Quelqu'un peut me tuyauteur sur le 2éme kata de tonfa, traditionnel d'okinawa, Merci
pontevedra34 3 years ago
Based on my Babelfish translation, I am sorry to say I only have the kata that are posted - there is another tonfa kata, but it is not on these videos.
hempev 3 years ago
Thank you very much!!!
joricarte 3 years ago
I'd love to learn how to use Tonfa. Perhaps this may help in the basics. Great video.
tomenaki 4 years ago
tonfa = ownage
very underrated weapon and insanely versatile
noisecape 3 years ago 4
true do you have a pair
Ale7Returns 3 years ago
Don't know who that was directed towards - I have a pair of Shureido tonfa, the best made, but I had cheap Chinese-made ones for a couple years when I started out.
hempev 3 years ago
How are those Shureido tonfas compared to the cheap Chinese-made ones? I just bought some cheap chinese ones from chinatown LA, but i was thinking about stopping by ShuriedoUSA to get better ones.
THATGIRLEllUH 2 years ago
The Shureido version has better balance, a smooth finish (no lacqer), and more effective gashida (the bulge on the handle that prevents your hand from slipping off). I started out with the cheap ones, so you *can* learn with them, but they would creak a bit when I did pushups on them, so the better ones are like night and day!
hempev 2 years ago
I sure do, they own. I've got nothing on this guy though, I've learned some cool stuff from him :)
noisecape 3 years ago
I used to practice Karate shotokan three years ago. I practiced since I was six, and I can see that kobudo and karate are very closed to each other. I never practiced kobudo, but one of my teachers showed me nunchaku and made me want to learn, but it was a kind of artistic handling. Since that day, I want to learn kobudo, even if it's on my own, and those videos are very useful !
irajonas 4 years ago
Zenkutsu-dachi! I got the same stance in my karate classes!
manji2000 4 years ago
Exactly! That, along with sanchin-dachi, are the first ones we had to learn. Specific to karate are kihon zuki dachi for punch practice, and nekoashi-dachi in latter forms (not ones I've learned yet in karate, but the same stance is used a lot in kobudo).
hempev 4 years ago
thanks a lot hemp! very useful for beginners!!
MrMonokel 4 years ago
Just so you know - beginners includes me!
hempev 4 years ago
I have seen now all his videos. This grandmaster deserves a honorary doctorate.
the50s60s70s 4 years ago
Now, I can practice myself!!! Wow!!
nayasungho 5 years ago
Very good. This is actually where he teaches you some simple pointers that we can actually use. Thanks.
chcx91 5 years ago
Start with the first tonfa video and work your way through - especially fun is the pushups with the long end to the ground...brutal!
hempev 5 years ago
This is just great.. Now I can begin practicing with my Tonfas'. And it has a lot in commen with Kyukushin. That is just great man.. Thank you very much for this clip!!
Cainthesavior 5 years ago