Tonfa

Tonfa is a traditional melee weapon used in Okinawan martial arts and Ryukyu kobudo. It comprises a short baton with a horizontal handle attached to the side of the shaft at a right angle. When gripped by the handle, the shaft rests along the forearm, allowing the user to defend with the arm while the other end can be used for strikes or checks.

Originating in the Ryukyu Islands, the tonfa is traditionally associated with rural tools and carpentry, and is believed to have evolved into a weapon used in kobudo. It later influenced police baton design, and it was incorporated into martial arts training in Japan and beyond. In modern practice, tonfa are used in single-weapon forms as well as in paired or double-tonfa sequences.

Techniques center on blocks, redirections, and controlled strikes. The perpendicular handle enables angular blocks and joint locks, while the shaft can strike with the end or the flat of the baton. Practitioners train in stances that protect the forearm and wrist, and safety equipment or training weapons are common in learning contexts.

Construction commonly uses hardwoods such as oak or hickory; modern versions may use synthetics or composites for durability and safety. Variants include longer ji-tonfa, or dual tonfa used in two-handed or two-weapon applications. Legality varies by jurisdiction; in some places carrying tonfa-like weapons is restricted, so users should consult local laws.