Customer Reviews

Advanced Tonfa: Japanese Weapons of Self-Defense

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book covers all main aspects of the tonfa, from the basic strikes to its modern use in America as the PR24. It contains two kata, Pinan Yondan and the legendary Hama Higa no Tonfa which are well illustrated and easy to follow. Also, the two kumite (Tonfa vs.Bo & Tonfa vs. Tonfa) are extremely useful in taking the practitioner to the level of actually applying the tonfa to realistic situations. I would disagree with the review below which states that this book has everything one needs to know (ie.all kata etc) about the tonfa. This is not the most advanced level of tonfajutsu, but it will test a tonfa pratitioner's ability and is most certainly an essential book to add to one's tonfa practice.

This book is a good introduction to the tonfa, and the skills associated with it. It includes grips, blocks, strikes, katas, and defenses against various weapons. But the book was careless in detail. For example, of the 9 blocking position photos, 8 were mis-identified in the descriptions. The the main kata described (Hama Higa no Tonfa) includes 168 steps, but again the descriptions frequently don't line up with the photos, and the descriptions sometimes confuse left and right foot moves. A good book overall... but be prepared to interpret past the many mistakes.

Not only a book, but a practical manual of all katas and positions offered by this increadible defense and attack weapon. If you're looking for a book where you can find both theory and practical contents, this is it! It has several examples of how to use a tonfa against sticks and other weapons alike. Incredible!

But there might be other books that focus more on the Tonfa from a more basic perspective, because it can be a simple arm extension as both a basic blocking and attacking weapon in that one doesn't have to think about it too much :)