Yaraguwa no Tonfa

屋良小のトンファー

Yaraguwa no Tonfa (or 屋良小のトンファー in Japanese) is a Ryukyu Kobujutsu Tonfa Kata. The first part of this name – Yaraguwa (or 屋良小 in Japanese) – refers to the 18^th century Okinawan Budo Master named Chatan Yara, who was sometimes also called Yaraguwa. This kata of his is performed with two tonfa (or トンファー in Japanese), but its second half can also be performed with a set of kama as well. In the video embedded below (recorded on 11 March 2024), budoka Johan Oldenkamp, a former national champion from the Netherlands, performs this ‘Tonfa Kata of Master Yaraguwa’.