How do I learn to use tonfas?

Question

Is there a specific art that is related to training with weapons like these? For example, pikiti tirsia is a style used with knives. I was wondering if I should just ask my martial arts instructor, read books, or if there are instructional DVDs to help me with techniques.

Answer 1

Kobudo. The only way to learn is to practice.

Answer 2

Train under a traditional Kempo instructor, and they will teach you. But ask your sensei and he will likely give you extra instruction if possible.

Answer 3

DVDs, books and others will only get you so far. You will need an actual instructor to teach you.  

Answer 4

okinawan kobudo is probably the most prominent art for tonfa. some filipino systems also use it.  

Answer 5

You will learn the tonfa if you join a japanese Jiu-jitsu club as they teach Kobudo ( weapons art ) witch includes , the tonfa, Jo/Bo Staff, Katana,Nunchaku,and kobutan.

Best wishes :)***

Answer 6

kempo, okinawan, and shotokan karate all teach tonfa forms and techniques. Also, some Chinese martial arts also teach Tonfa: Choy Li Fut, Shaolin, and Hung Gar I believe. If you only want to learn tonfa then look online for martial arts DVDs and buy a tonfa instructional video instead, then practice, practice, practice.

http://www.budovideos.com/shop/customer/...

http://www.turtlepress.com/

http://www.martialartssupermarket.com/in...

Happy Training.

Answer 7

ask your instructor maybe he can teach you or at least tell you somewhere that can teach you them. the books awe also really good i learnt tonfa from a book but i found it was a lot of karate techniques just you hold the weapons so it wasnt to hard. i wouldnt say im good with them but i can used them to some extent.

Answer 8

Kobudo. Your not learning how to use a difficult weapon like a sword or sharp bladed weapon that will take years to master so I can't see why safe regular sparring, pad work or bag work and perhaps a video or book to learn from in your own time would be useless and counter productive. If you want to learn how to use a Tonfa for defense and attack rather than for Kata then surely you could teach yourself it as It's only a stick of wood with a handle and there's only so much you can do with it. The same goes for the Kubotan keyring, it's a small wooden/metal stick. Be safe when sparring by the way.

Answer 9

Along with Okinawan Kobudo which is the just the study of weapons some Okinawan and Japanese martial arts incorporate weapons in their systems. Shorin-Ryu in particular comes to mind and they teach  traditional Okinawan weapons which is what the tonfa is.  There are four common ones; sais, nunchaku, tonfa, and bo all being farm implements or tools that were used by peasants, farmers, merchants, or other people that were non soldiers and who were not allowed to possess or carry weapons.  They converted and trained in the use of these tools and implements to use in place of weapons.