Tonfa: Karate Weapon of Self-Defense (Literary links to the Orient)

By Fumio Demura

Book Overview

Though neither as flashy nor as glamorous as the nunchaku, the tonfa is an essential tool in the kobudo tradition of self-defense. When wielded properly, this deceptively simple weapon becomes a... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0897500806
• ISBN13: 9780897500807
• Release Date: May 1982
• Publisher: Black Belt Books
• Length: 144 Pages
• Weight: 0.51 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.9" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

An excellent guide to the basic principles and use of the Tonfa by a true expert.

This is one of my favorite in the Demura Karate Weapons series. The Tonfa is used in most cases, as a pair, one in each hand. Though the Tonfa is not as flashy as other weapons; nevertheless, it has great value for those involved in karate. One of the beautiful things about the Tonfa is that one can perform the basic karate movements while holding the Tonfa. The relationship between karate basics and the basic techniques of using the Tonfa match almost perfectly. With just a slight adjustment of the hand position, punching techniques are easily performed using the Tonfa. (Just a little side note: The PR-24 Police Side Handle Baton was adapted from the Tonfa; however, the PR-24 Police Baton is not a PURE TONFA. The shape is the same but there are numerous differences.) Keep in mind that this book is strictly for martial artists who have an interest in how to use the Tonfa for self-defense. In conclusion, this is a book for anyone who is interested in combining a weapon with their karate training. Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: PR-24 Basic and Advanced Techniques(Univ. of Ill Press), PR-24 Police Baton Advanced Techniques, Police Yawara Stick Techniques (Univ. of Ill Press), Monadnock Defensive Tactics (MDTS) System, Use of the Monadnock Straight Baton).

Like this book

Does good coverage of some basics which might often be missed in order to make something more marketable. The Tonfa is in reality a very practical and very easily manageable weapon, and doesn't require much to extend the basics from no-hands to extend the hands, but is more appropriate perhaps to more traditional forms of martial arts.

Good introduction to the tonfa

_Tonfa-Karate_Weapon_of_Self-Defense_ by Fumio Demura is an excellent introductory text to the tonfa. For those not familiar with it, tonfa are a handheld weapon that look like a 1 to 2-inch thick piece of hardwood about 6-8 inches longer than the forearm, with a handle about 4 or 5 inches from one end. The handle is held in the fist and the rest of the tonfa is used as a guard along the forearm, or either end can be used as a punch extender, the tonfa can be rotated around the handle for a circular strike, and there are numerous trapping techniques that can be used with the tonfa. This book does a very good job talking about the history of the tonfa, construction and types of materials, and basic stances, strikes, and blocks with the tonfa. It also has some more complicated striking techniques and a number of multi-step drills to show how the tonfa can be used against other weapons and how the tonfa can be to trap or lock another person's limbs. Some techniques use only one tonfa, and some use two. I consider it to be quite a good book for someone (like me) who is new to the tonfa.

An excellent introduction to the tonfa

This book covers all the fundamental aspects of the tonfa. It looks at stances, basic strikes, swings etc. It is relatively simple and doesn't go into any depth or any advanced techniques, so I consider this book to be only a reference source for the seasoned tonfa practitioner. But anyone who's new to the tonfa should most certainly buy this book. It will lay a strong foundation in their techniques as they move onto more advanced levels.

A Classic Refernce Tool for Okinawan Weapons

Sensei Demura's books are a must have for any traditonal martial artist, or anyone wishing to understand the true natue and application of traditional Okinawan Weapons.It covers the basic grips, strikes, stances, and blocks with a basic kata (form) and even some self-defense applications.The pictures are relatively easy to follow and each has a discription of the technique involved.This series of weapons books from Demura Sensei is considered by many to be the classics of weapons texts. Although they are a little dated, and learning any weapon is easier from DVD or video, it is a great reference piece and a must have for any serious student of the martial arts and kobudo.