I would like to learn tonfa specific katas, but my dojo's master wants me to incorporate with karate katas.

Question

I would like to learn weapon-specific tonfa katas, such as Tonfa Kata Ichi, but the Master who runs the dojo where I am a member really has no background in weapon-specific katas. He would prefer I incorporate the tonfa into a karate kata such as H-Form 1. Can I really learn a tonfa kata from a video on YouTube?

Answer 1

You should probably understand by now, since you're already into weapons form and training, that nearly all 'empty handed' kata are all derived from, and adapted to prepare you for, using weapons, most traditionally a sword or a staff. Keep training as you are, and when you're ready you'll be learning them. Additionally, I refuse to believe that any master of any art has no experience in training with weapons and weapon kata. If that is the truth, he's probably not a master, and you should look into his certifications and the lineage of the person who trained him. Weapons and their form are a crucial part of maturing past a certain point in any martial art, and to not be trained in this manner makes it almost impossible to reach an accurate master status.

As for your second part question; can you learn a form from a video? Yeah, you can, but you're gonna have to train three times as hard and more frequently than someone who has a shisho to teach them.

Bear in mind that just becuase you WANT to learn something doesn't necessarily mean you're READY to learn it. Generally, your master will let you know when you're ready for something like weapons training.

Answer 2

weapons are for whimps

Answer 3

Hi Mark

The best tonfa kata I can suggest for you to learn is called "Hama Higa No Tonfa".  It may be difficult for beginners to learn, but considering you already have a basic foundation in karate, the philosophy is the same.

Althought there are several videos out there that may have different variance of execution,Here's a clearer one that can aid you:

http://video.aol.com/video-detail/hama-h...

Good Luck !

Answer 4

I doubt you can learn anything from videos on youtube...

Try Shorei-Goju-Ryu

Answer 5

If you are going to learn anything from a video first you need a training partner.  You need someone with Martial arts experience that understands the movements to see if you are doing it right.  Learning new things can always be helpful, but if your instructor doesn't know them then you gotta get it somewhere else.  Good luck.