TONFA CLASS STARTS at MARTIAL ARTS SCHOOL in MESA, GILBERT and CHANDLER

Rich Mendolia from Mesa uses bo during kobudo training at the Arizona School of traditional
karate in Mesa, while Dr. Neal Adam from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix uses tonfa.

Sarah defends herself using tonfa
against bo attack by Amber

TONFA in MESA and GILBERT

Members of the Arizona School of Traditional Karate at the Seiyo Kai Hombu in Mesa and Gilbert in the East Valley of Phoenix began training in Tonfa-Jutsu in August of 2011. Our members (deshi) discovered that these weapons are very similar to their empty hand (kara-te) techniques with all of the typical blocks and strikes. In the forthcoming weeks, they will learn to use these weapons with different grips as well as learn three kata (forms) and all of the bunkai (applications).

Dr. Neal Adam follows up block with strike using
tonfa against Ryan Harden's attack with bo.

The origin of the tonfa cannot be established without question, but some researchers assume the tonfa were originally rice mill handles that were removed from a rice grinder in Okinawa at time of need for self-defense against marauding Japanese samurai. The weapon was so effective that after karate was introduced to Japan in the 1900s, many police departments adapted the weapon for use as a night stick worldwide. But unlike law enforcement, our students learn to use two tonfa rather than one and learn to use them effectively for blocking, striking, hooking, choking, and even some throws.

Look for the 'KARATE' sign above
our door on MacDonald at the corner
with Baseline Road (NE corner).

The Arizona School of Traditional Karate accepts adults into its program with or without formal training in martial arts. We have some of the lowest prices in the East Valley and offer the most diverse training in Okinawan and Japanese karate, kobudo and samurai arts in the state.

Feel free to stop by and watch a class to see if you would like to take part in group lessons - we have no salesmen to pressure you and you will only find that you are accepted as a friend. We have a 30:70 ratio of women to men and we all look forward to being educated about martial arts history, philosophy and self-defense. We are all friends at our dojo in Arizona.

Classes are held at the Seiyo Kai Hombu on the border of Mesa, Gilbert and Chandler. The easiest way to get there is to drive east on Baseline from Walmart at Baseline and Country Club (Arizona) Road. When you come to the second traffic light, turn left onto MacDonald and right on the northeast corner you will see a group of businesses with one labeled "KARATE" above the door - you found us!  Call if you have problems.

Patrick Scofield defends with tonfa against a bo attack by Neal Adam

Along with kobudo classes, we also provide some acting classes (not really). Here Neal Adam (5th dan)
from Phoenix trains with Rich Mendolia (3rd kyu) from East Mesa.

Sensei Borea (with kama) defends against Charles (with bo).

Charles Jean (6th kyu) and Ryan Harden (5th kyu)
spar with bo and tonfa.

Group tonfa training on Thursday evening Kobudo night at
Arizona School of Traditional Karate in Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler 
in the East Valley of Phoenix.

Traditional Karate
by Arizona School of Traditional Karate - Mesa

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