@MrMirage1993 I don't know if Shihan would consider that "slightly" longer - it's probably OK, mine are a couple cm longer than my elbow, you just have to be aware of the extra length when changing positions.
@MrMirage1993 How would you compare rattan and oak for a tonfa? Both are very durable, but I wasn't sure if one would be an outright superior material or not.
@zenvidar As u said it is hard to get 1 know which is much mre durable so my advice is that u go and test them out yrself to me, lets say for pr24 there is fibre and PVC so which is much durable i'd both are almost the same the only differences is the price tag.
I bought a pair, & it has shellac / varnish on it; I used steel wool to smooth the surface, but it seems a bit grippy when I try to swing them (as in easy to stop them when I want, but doesn't spin too freely). Should I sand the handle down to bare wood?
@turfguy87 You may have to - the wood has to have a kind of satiny surface to be able to both slip and grip. Working down through finer and finer sandpaper should do it. Makes me glad I invested in a pair from Shureido - Okinawans know how to get just the right natural finish.
@hempev I sanded all the finish off them & it spins better; however the knobs on top of the handles are too small, just like the ones in the videoat 4:37. Also the handles are a tad too long, like at 6:48.
I may have to drill them out & make new handles, or just cut off the handle tips, shorten the handle a tad, & screw / drill a new (bigger) head on top
@djrollin212 At least "a little" past the elbow - he doesn't specify, but I think an inch is enough - if the monouchi (longer end) does not stick out "a little" when back in defensive position, you have an exposed elbow, and, frankly, that is *bad*! Too much beyond that is dependent on your ability - really long gives more reach but also is harder to maneuver quickly.
@swiatlomir That's a techu (there are a few different versions) - we have a similar weapon called the shuchu that is used for "pain compliance". Shihan has a separate video on that which I don't have to post but can be found online.
I'm not sure, but i think the lower working classes were not allowed to carry weapons, so they improvised. To defend their home or crops from thiefs or bandits.
Another theory is that it orginated from crutches. In Fujian China or Hokkian it is pronounce as "tong kwai" it is use by people with leg injuries or leg disability to help them walk. It is the same design as the tonfa but the other end is longer reaching to the ground for aid in walking. Reducing the length of the long end it was converted into a short cane. or in hokkian "te kwai" This weapon became part of many Fujian kung fu style such as ngo cho kun "sang te kwai" double short cane.
You may be able to search for a local martial arts supplier, or one on-line (such as Century Fitness), but the best are made by Shureido of Okinawa (ShureidoUSA . com)
I have met 2 people who came to learn from Shihan based entirely on these YouTube videos...but, yeah, he's probably not going to be that dedicated to budo or spend the money for private lessons.
I bought some tonfa a while back but the head of the handle is too small for me to handle during intense practice. Is there any way I can modify it to adjust to my hand size or do I have to buy a whole new set?
I'm afraid you may have to buy a better pair of tonfa - this is the problem with ones made in Taiwan or China, they don't have the correct dimensions.
Shureido has different sizes, and they make the very best kobudo weapons (plus they are in Okinawa, and are doing this to maintain tradition, not just crank out products for a profit). ShureidoUSA (dot com) is their representative in America.
Sorry, I don't know where any other dojo are - a web search might help. Shihan teaches in a few places, but not as regular as my sensei, Shihan Bolz. He has an iaido class twice a month at her dojo and teaches kobudo at a couple other places in Northern California.
Top-of-the-line at ShureidoUSA (dot com), Chinese and Taiwanese ones from CenturyMartialArts (dot com) [they have an "Okinawan-style" tonfa for $29.95 that looks close to the original]
a good source for a proper fitting tonfa is crane mountain, Pam will have you measure your hand and fore arm and will have them fit you....also more reasonable than Shureido
No, you are thinking of the movie Elektra - weapons used in kobudo are taken from items in Okinawan peasant life, not combat, so the only thing with a blade is the kama, a sickle for harvesting rice and cutting other grasses.
I wasn't actually however I have seen that. I was curious because that would be an awesome weapon. lol. I knew obviously (this video and others) that weapons were used from farming tools as they weren't allowed to have weapons in there possession. I was hoping that there was as it would be really cool.
Only in movies - historically, Okinawan sai had octagonal cross-sections and were made of steel, not aluminum or with a chrome finish (a modern day invention). Since the monouchi has to be held against the forearm when attacking with the head of the handle or to protect the forearm itself, it would be awfully dangerous if it had a blade!
Tonfa were made of commonly available wood in their original form (discussed in Shihan's clips on tonfa). You need metal for a blade or point.
It's not specific to any region in the world. A majority of weapons started out as tools - and in a very practical sense hunting/skinning implements are also just that, tools.
Hempev, I believe he said it was hilarious because this movement in some way represents to him the process of touching your genitals, so if a person is a bit pervert, he could imagine that.
The character of Mr Miyagi was Okinawan, and while Shihan teaches Okinawan martial arts, he is Japanese (as was Pat Morita, who played Mr Miyagi). Americans don't always see the distinction - that would include me before I started taking this class!
how in the world can I get a high quality weapon? every tonfa I've ever seen for sale (the're hard to find, by the way) has had varnish. I do not have the luxury of livind near (or even remotely close) to a store where I could try out different tonfa. If I order a tonfa over the web, how can I be sure it fits my arm/hand?
I had the same problem attaining my tonfa, so in the end i decided to make my own. It cost less and it means that you get the specifications exactly right for you. It required a bit of work but I now have a very high quality pair of tonfa that suit me perfectly.
I have a question, u said that it will be slightly longer to yr elbow but how long?
Is having a tonfa which exceed by around 5cm to the elbow a good thing or a bad thing?
MrMirage1993 5 months ago
@MrMirage1993 I don't know if Shihan would consider that "slightly" longer - it's probably OK, mine are a couple cm longer than my elbow, you just have to be aware of the extra length when changing positions.
hempev 5 months ago
@hempev by couple u mean 1 to 2cm?
MrMirage1993 5 months ago
@MrMirage1993 Yes, about a finger-width
hempev 5 months ago
@MrMirage1993 How would you compare rattan and oak for a tonfa? Both are very durable, but I wasn't sure if one would be an outright superior material or not.
zenvidar 4 months ago
@zenvidar As u said it is hard to get 1 know which is much mre durable so my advice is that u go and test them out yrself to me, lets say for pr24 there is fibre and PVC so which is much durable i'd both are almost the same the only differences is the price tag.
MrMirage1993 4 months ago
I bought a pair, & it has shellac / varnish on it; I used steel wool to smooth the surface, but it seems a bit grippy when I try to swing them (as in easy to stop them when I want, but doesn't spin too freely). Should I sand the handle down to bare wood?
turfguy87 5 months ago
@turfguy87 You may have to - the wood has to have a kind of satiny surface to be able to both slip and grip. Working down through finer and finer sandpaper should do it. Makes me glad I invested in a pair from Shureido - Okinawans know how to get just the right natural finish.
hempev 5 months ago
@hempev I sanded all the finish off them & it spins better; however the knobs on top of the handles are too small, just like the ones in the videoat 4:37. Also the handles are a tad too long, like at 6:48.
I may have to drill them out & make new handles, or just cut off the handle tips, shorten the handle a tad, & screw / drill a new (bigger) head on top
turfguy87 5 months ago
@turfguy87 Yeah, that's a big problem with Chinese-made weapons. Good luck
hempev 5 months ago
love his accent :-)
turfguy87 5 months ago
i want a pair of those.. do you need any kind of license?
SomeKnowsLikes 7 months ago
@SomeKnowsLikes No, just don't wield them in public.
hempev 7 months ago
Sir, you are a most humble and excellent teacher. Thank you for your videos.
8garyhouse8 9 months ago
where do I find the DVD's for this series I like this teacher he is verey good.
ckrisk 1 year ago
@ckrisk CenturyMartialArts (dot) com - search for Nishiuchi
hempev 1 year ago
@hempev I found the info on century martial arts thank you . Will there be any more dvd's in the near future?
ckrisk 1 year ago
@ckrisk Shihan is working on a training site with videos, but he is methodical and it may not be until later next year.
hempev 1 year ago
@hempev I am sure it will be great I would love to one of the first to see it.
ckrisk 1 year ago
About how many inches should the Tonfa end go fast the elbow and will it effect the performance if its to long/short?
djrollin212 1 year ago
@djrollin212 At least "a little" past the elbow - he doesn't specify, but I think an inch is enough - if the monouchi (longer end) does not stick out "a little" when back in defensive position, you have an exposed elbow, and, frankly, that is *bad*! Too much beyond that is dependent on your ability - really long gives more reach but also is harder to maneuver quickly.
hempev 1 year ago
who do u know which weapon is best suited for a certain person ?
TheHanatarou 1 year ago
@TheHanatarou Best to learn them all at least basically, and use them enough to feel comfortable with each.
hempev 1 year ago
@hempev can you post links to this video of techu?
swiatlomir 1 year ago
What is the name of weapon in 8:25?
swiatlomir 1 year ago
@swiatlomir That's a techu (there are a few different versions) - we have a similar weapon called the shuchu that is used for "pain compliance". Shihan has a separate video on that which I don't have to post but can be found online.
hempev 1 year ago
@hempev can you post links to this video?
swiatlomir 1 year ago
@swiatlomir Sorry, don't have them - Shihan's version is called shuchu, though.
hempev 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@hempev can you post links to this video?
swiatlomir 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@hempev can you post links to this video?
swiatlomir 1 year ago
how do you choose the right size for you? i'm 5'5", and i'm not sure whether to get 2o of 24 inch. any help would be greatly appreciated.
epicurious665 1 year ago
@epicurious665 You want the long end of the tonfa to just clear your elbow while holding the grip - probably 20" size for most people your height.
hempev 1 year ago
oss
MasOyama10dan 2 years ago
押忍 - in romaji, don't forget the u at the end.
hempev 2 years ago
From a martial arts store.
TheVampyreCat 2 years ago
is it just me or is every tool in okinawa seem like its been turned into a weapon at some point in history?
Necrodermis 2 years ago 8
I'm not sure, but i think the lower working classes were not allowed to carry weapons, so they improvised. To defend their home or crops from thiefs or bandits.
PalebobUK 2 years ago 3
Not just working classes - anyone not guarding the Royal family! The only exception was officers of the peace who had sai.
hempev 2 years ago
Another theory is that it orginated from crutches. In Fujian China or Hokkian it is pronounce as "tong kwai" it is use by people with leg injuries or leg disability to help them walk. It is the same design as the tonfa but the other end is longer reaching to the ground for aid in walking. Reducing the length of the long end it was converted into a short cane. or in hokkian "te kwai" This weapon became part of many Fujian kung fu style such as ngo cho kun "sang te kwai" double short cane.
dantankun 2 years ago
In Okinawa, you can find hand-power grain grinders with the same shape as tonfa - there are plenty of things that look like this!
hempev 2 years ago
if anything there are to many things that look like it :P
Necrodermis 2 years ago
You may be able to search for a local martial arts supplier, or one on-line (such as Century Fitness), but the best are made by Shureido of Okinawa (ShureidoUSA . com)
hempev 2 years ago
this guys frickin awesome!!!!!! with all respect hempev ure sensei is a good teacher
SaiminBoi808 2 years ago 6
what a badass...
killergonbad 2 years ago 2
If you ever met him in person you would not say that.
hempev 2 years ago
Oh, come on. Be fair, hempev. How would any average YouTube user ever meet him? He tried to pay sensei a compliment (even if it was rather crude).
georgehwbush 2 years ago 3
I have met 2 people who came to learn from Shihan based entirely on these YouTube videos...but, yeah, he's probably not going to be that dedicated to budo or spend the money for private lessons.
hempev 2 years ago
I hear you.
georgehwbush 2 years ago
I bought some tonfa a while back but the head of the handle is too small for me to handle during intense practice. Is there any way I can modify it to adjust to my hand size or do I have to buy a whole new set?
Koiyuki 2 years ago
I'm afraid you may have to buy a better pair of tonfa - this is the problem with ones made in Taiwan or China, they don't have the correct dimensions.
hempev 2 years ago
Is there any place that'll make Tonfa to my specifications?
Koiyuki 2 years ago
Shureido has different sizes, and they make the very best kobudo weapons (plus they are in Okinawa, and are doing this to maintain tradition, not just crank out products for a profit). ShureidoUSA (dot com) is their representative in America.
hempev 2 years ago
Is the a dojo in Montreal, Canada for learning kobudo.
Does Shihan Nishiuchi still teach
Henri
Henricousineau 3 years ago
Sorry, I don't know where any other dojo are - a web search might help. Shihan teaches in a few places, but not as regular as my sensei, Shihan Bolz. He has an iaido class twice a month at her dojo and teaches kobudo at a couple other places in Northern California.
hempev 3 years ago
how much are shureido tonfa?
smshadowninja 3 years ago
About $70-80 a pair, although with the current exchange rate, maybe close to $100.
hempev 3 years ago
could you recomend a place to purchase tonfas? i can easily find sites with google but i think that you could help me choose a reliable site.
CaptainLaw01 3 years ago
Top-of-the-line at ShureidoUSA (dot com), Chinese and Taiwanese ones from CenturyMartialArts (dot com) [they have an "Okinawan-style" tonfa for $29.95 that looks close to the original]
hempev 3 years ago
thank you
CaptainLaw01 3 years ago
a good source for a proper fitting tonfa is crane mountain, Pam will have you measure your hand and fore arm and will have them fit you....also more reasonable than Shureido
specterprime 3 years ago
Perhaps, but that's a different market, one meant for people who like to go to public events.
hempev 3 years ago
Was there ever a bladed tonfa?
AnchorProductions 3 years ago
No, you are thinking of the movie Elektra - weapons used in kobudo are taken from items in Okinawan peasant life, not combat, so the only thing with a blade is the kama, a sickle for harvesting rice and cutting other grasses.
hempev 3 years ago
I wasn't actually however I have seen that. I was curious because that would be an awesome weapon. lol. I knew obviously (this video and others) that weapons were used from farming tools as they weren't allowed to have weapons in there possession. I was hoping that there was as it would be really cool.
AnchorProductions 3 years ago
but i think there were a steel tonfa and bladed ones though...or is that only in movies?
Stefanos11 3 years ago
Only in movies - historically, Okinawan sai had octagonal cross-sections and were made of steel, not aluminum or with a chrome finish (a modern day invention). Since the monouchi has to be held against the forearm when attacking with the head of the handle or to protect the forearm itself, it would be awfully dangerous if it had a blade!
Tonfa were made of commonly available wood in their original form (discussed in Shihan's clips on tonfa). You need metal for a blade or point.
hempev 3 years ago
rofl 6:38
I know.... immature... apologizing in advance ;P
Great vid though! 5 star
Aggr3ssion0bs3ssion 3 years ago
I find it interesting how many of the weapons originating in that area of the world evolved from simple tools.
marmuhlade 3 years ago
It's not specific to any region in the world. A majority of weapons started out as tools - and in a very practical sense hunting/skinning implements are also just that, tools.
xenophonia 3 years ago
thats awesome but im having trouble getting hold of one :( any ideas?
Jackalninja 3 years ago
Do a google search for tonfa and price - plenty of sites selling the cheaper version, but the Shureido version needs to be ordered through a sensei.
hempev 3 years ago
o cool thanks mate but i dont trust web sites realy too many bad deals
Jackalninja 3 years ago
If you can find a martial arts store in your area, they would have these, but may be geared toward free-style rather than real combat models.
hempev 3 years ago
great video, I love my tonfa.
but 6:50 was hilarious
noisecape 3 years ago
Sorry, didn't see any humor there - please enlighten me!
hempev 3 years ago
nevermind ;)
I'm learning from these vids. The first one about 3 points of gyration allowed me to swing these things insanely fast and hard.
I'll be subscribing i think ^^
noisecape 3 years ago
Hempev, I believe he said it was hilarious because this movement in some way represents to him the process of touching your genitals, so if a person is a bit pervert, he could imagine that.
Wingmeaker 3 years ago
Thank you very much for posting this, now I know what to look for when I start using tonfa.
NinjaRick1 3 years ago
he reminds me of Mr. Meyagi frm th next karate kid
danieluckycharm 3 years ago
The character of Mr Miyagi was Okinawan, and while Shihan teaches Okinawan martial arts, he is Japanese (as was Pat Morita, who played Mr Miyagi). Americans don't always see the distinction - that would include me before I started taking this class!
hempev 3 years ago
OMG!! that was awesome, I would love to be his student. I started cracking up when he said "especially lapd"
civic626 3 years ago
thank you for a great site, the video & information is fantastic
ipponkarate 4 years ago
I think that exposition of this Shihan(Master) is really very kind and I respect.
Yours sincerely.
HouzanSuzuki 4 years ago 2
Cool Video, very informative and not cocky.
stopglobalswarming 4 years ago
how in the world can I get a high quality weapon? every tonfa I've ever seen for sale (the're hard to find, by the way) has had varnish. I do not have the luxury of livind near (or even remotely close) to a store where I could try out different tonfa. If I order a tonfa over the web, how can I be sure it fits my arm/hand?
emulare11 4 years ago 2
Search for Shureido
hempev 4 years ago
if it as varnish, sand it down :)
kingscobra123 4 years ago
If it has varnish, it's probably not very good, but by all means, sand off the varnish!
hempev 4 years ago
I had the same problem attaining my tonfa, so in the end i decided to make my own. It cost less and it means that you get the specifications exactly right for you. It required a bit of work but I now have a very high quality pair of tonfa that suit me perfectly.
Ke1raak 3 years ago
nice. should attach armour to one and a blade to the other.
noisecape 3 years ago
What s the name of this Sensei?
aiko4321 4 years ago
Nishiuchi Mikio Saiko Shihan, or in Western style, he is a Saiko-level Shihan, and his family name is Nishiuchi.
hempev 4 years ago
Is it normal for a tonfa to start to have wiggle room between the handle and the shaft after several months of use?
mikeskinner0815 4 years ago
The cheap one I started with did this, but Shureido ones are a lifetime weapon. Price is always a consideration!
hempev 4 years ago
I'm grateful for this wealth of knowledge. This man seems like a world class sensei. Your lucky to have an artist of this caliber to learn from
Cassanovaangola 4 years ago
THANK YOU!
sankyuu~~~
arigato
I'm gonna pick the best tonfa now.
this series of videos is really good.
congrats, 5 stars
girusaurio 4 years ago
FANTASTIC.
YANHAP 4 years ago
Brilliant. Thanks for posting this.
PerDanger 4 years ago
I think it would be considered Matayoshi Ryu, but Okinawan Kobudo is one style with 6 different organizations promoting it.
hempev 5 years ago
What is the style he practices, and is there one video that I could purchase of this info?
NovxST 5 years ago
He is a font of martial arts knowledge and very glad to have him as a resource - he fills in for our sensei once a month.
hempev 5 years ago