Tui-fa, as pronounced by Okinawans, or Tonfa as pronounced by the Japanese, was used as a handle on a millstone or well. Made of hardwood, this simple device consisted of a cylindrical handle attached at a right angle to a tapered shaft approximately twenty inches in length.

The handle was attached five to six inches from one end. As a weapon, the Tui_fa was normally used in pairs, positioned along the undersides of each forearm with the short end forward. In this position, the weapon can be used to block or jab, using a thrusting motion.

By rotating the Tui-fa 180 degrees, the long end can be used to strike an opponent with great force.