Isshinryu Tonfa Hamahiga Kata

This is my walk through demonstration of Tonfa Hamahiga Kata from the Isshinryu Martial Arts.

History: This form is from Shimabuku's studies with Shinken Taira. It is the only Tonfa kata in the Isshinryu system. Shimabuku always referred to the weapon, and thus the kata also, as tuifa.

The kata bears many similarities to the Uechi Ryū empty-hand form "Seisan", and actually contains an entire section from the form, albeit performed with weapons in-hand. It also has several postures seen in other kobudō kata, the most notable posture being "Crane on a Rock". Whether this is from the encyclopedic kobudō of Taira, or was a part of Hama Higa to begin with is not historically verifiable.

Side Note: Hamahiga Tonfa was mis-translated during Shimabuku's 1966 video and the words "Chie Fa" can be found written in the background before he performed the kata. There are several rumors regarding this video including Shimabuku forgot some of the moves or he shortened the kata from the original. It has also been said that he was irritated with the filming and decided to half-ass it. Some Isshinryu schools take the video as doctrine and teach the kata exactly how it was performed and even call it 'Chie Fa' Tonfa Kata. An example of this can be found in the film "ISSHINRYU KARATE: The Ultimate Self Defense with Master Harold Long"

[MifuneBoBune]

I'm assuming this the original Taira Shinken tonfa kata? I will be learning this. I only learned the shortened version. I was told that Master Shimabuku was ill when he was filmed in the US; thus, the katas might not have been perfect. I learn something new every day. I didn't even know there was a longer, original version. Thanks and thanks for posting this.