Editing Tonfa (section)

==Usage==
The tonfa can be used for blocking and striking.<ref name=demura/> The tonfa measures about three centimeters past the elbow when gripped.<ref name="rkagb" /> There are three grips, ''honte-mochi'' (natural), ''gyakute-mochi'' (reverse) and ''tokushu-mochi'' (special). The natural grip places the handle in the hand with the long arm resting along the bottom of the forearm. This grip provides protection or brace along one's forearms, and also provides reinforcement for backfist, elbow strikes, and punches. In use, the tonfa can swing out to the ''gyakute'' grip for a strike or thrust. Martial artists may also flip the tonfa and grab it by the shaft, called ''tokushu-mochi''. This allows use of the handle as a hook in combat, similar to the [[Kama (weapon)|kama]] (sickle).<ref name="canisius" /><ref name="rkagb" /> This grip is uncommon but is used in the kata Yaraguwa.<ref name="rkagb" />

Blocking techniques involve a sidestepping maneuver. This allows the block to stop the attack while providing a way to gain entry. The block can be used to block high attack and low attacks.<ref name="Yamashita, T. 1987">Yamashita, T. (1987). Advanced Tonfa: Japanese Weapon of Self-defense. Spain: Black Belt Communications, Incorporated.</ref>