Tonfa (Martial Arts baton) taught at the Arizona School of Traditional Karate

Katharina (9th kyu) trains with Sarah
(2nd dan) during kobudo.

Soke Hausel (10th dan) began teaching tonfa to the kobudo classes at the Arizona School of Traditional Karate on Baseline in Mesa to students from Mesa, Gilbert and Chandler in the East Valley of Phoenix. We even have students driving from Scottsdale, Phoenix, Tempe and Glendale to train at the Arizona School of Traditional Karate. Why? Possibly because of the unique 'traditional setting and atmosphere of the dojo' - and much of the training is in Japanese.

Tonfa was introduced to our students in September 2011 in the kobudo classes and we began learning basic blocks and strikes with the Okinawan traditional weapon and continued training in bunkai (applications) including kata (forms). As of December, the class has progressed learning two tonfa kata and much of their bunkai and also trained in some ippon kumite (controlled sparring) with the tonfa vs. bo (6-foot staff) and tonfa vs tanto (knife).

Starting in late January or early February, we will start learning our 3rd kata (form) and its bunkai.

Paula (2nd dan) strikes Sarah (2nd dan)
with tonfa as Sarah defends with bo.

Dave Hargreaves blocks Patrick Scofield's bo attack with tonfa
at the Arizona School of Traditional Karate