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FAQ
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What's the difference between
Kempo and Kenpo?
Nothing. It's
only a name. Systems have chosen one or the other to designate their style, but
the word would be interchangeable but for the personal choices of styles;
they've chosen to use it spelled one way or the other. The reason behind the
difference is in the spelling of the translation of the Japanese Kanji to its
English form. The word Kempo and Kempo are both pronounced the same and both
mean "Law of the Fist." When the Japanese Kanji for Kenpo is brought
into English, either a "m" or "n" is placed in the word. The
correct form of Kanji places an "n" there, but the pronunciation is
still the "m" sound.
Styles of Kenpo
There is no way that this
is a complete list of Kenpo styles. More are being developed. Others are coming
into the limelight as we speak or may be known in the future. The following is a
list of Kenpo styles that I have some information on, even if it is vague
amounts. If you have information on forms of Kempo not listed here, please send
me some so I can add it to the FAQ. The following list is of "unique"
versions of Kenpo, as well as versions of American Kenpo, etc.
- Kosho-Ryu
Kempo- This style of Kempo that was brought by visiting
monks to to the Mitose family in the 15th century. Over the centuries, this
form of Shaolin Chuan Fa was blended and refined with forms of Jujutsu that
where common to the area as well as Rinzai Zen philosophy, Kyudo, and other
arts. It is also known as "The Old Pine Tree Style." The current
"Grandmaster" of Kosho-Ryu Kempo is Bruce Juchnik who uses the
term Kosho Shorei-Ryu Kempo. Mitose's son Thomas Barrow Mitose also teaches
Kosho-Ryu Kempo and is considered by some the true grandmaster of the
Kosho-Ryu style.
- Kara-Ho
Kenpo- Founded by William K.S. Chow, a student of James
Mitose and other Hawaiian based martial artists. This Kempo offshoot is a
blend of the Kosho-Ryu Kempo and other styles that Chow encountered in
Hawaii. Kara-ho Kenpo utilizes many circular as well as linear techniques
and requires 500 such techniques to be learnt for black-belt status.
Currently, karaho Kenpo is under the evolution of Sam Kuoha who has added
various new techniques as well as 12 katas based on Chow's original 12 base
linear techniques. Kara-Ho Kenpo is one of the fastest growing Kempo
organizations. Mr. Kuoha has also published a set of books on his martial
art.
-
Shaolin Kempo- The
Shaolin Kempo system was formed by Fred Villari, who was a student of
American and Shorinji Kempo systems. Fred Villari's system tends more
towards the Kung-Fu element and utilizes the techniques of the 5 Animal
Chuan Fa to a large extent. Added to the Kempo system was White Tiger Chin
Na techniques as well as various Aikijutsu projections and immobilizations.
There are also others teaching Shaolin Kenpo
like Ralph Castro and others.
- American
Kenpo- This is Ed Parker's American Kenpo system; it is
probably the largest and most well organized system in exsistance. Parker
took what Chow taught him and organized every technique and movement into a
format that could be broken down into levels for all students. He worked to
build his system around concepts and principles of motion. He also went
against tradition when it did not fit into the plan of his evolving art. The
American Kenpo system can be seen in such movies like "The Perfect
Weapon", and "Street Knight" starring Jeff Speakman, the
founder of the AKKS (American Kenpo Karate Systems). The KenpoNet is
primarily for American Kenpo practitioners but does open its doors to many
other Kenpo styles. There are numerous American Kenpo associations. (IKKA,
IKKO, AKKS, AKSC, CKF, OAKKA, UKS, UKF, AKF, etc.)
- Nick
Cerio's Kenpo- Nick Cerio's Kenpo was founded in 1974 and
credits both Chow and Parker with the creation of the style. The Cerio Kenpo
school believe in the "old method of training", and teaches most
of the Shotokan forms, as well as Kung Fu and Kajukenbo forms, TKD kicks,
Japanese stances, as well as Jujitusu. Weapons of both Chinese and Japanese
systems are taught and maintains many traditional forms.
- Tracy's
Kenpo- Formed by two students of Ed Parker, Jim and Al
Tracy. Tracy's Kenpo begins by teaching what Ed Parker taught in the early
1960s. They have since added a variety of modern American Kenpo forms, Kung
Fu forms, and as well as Okinawan weapon forms.
- Kajukenbo-
From the Kenpo stand point; Adriano Emperado, a student of William K.S.
Chow, started this style with other Hawaiian martial artists, adding
features of all their arts so there combination of styles created what is
now called Kajukenbo.
- White
Tiger Kenpo- A system of Kenpo developed and taught by Shihan
Jim Rathbone. It is a combination of the Parker and Tracy's system with the
Jujitsu add back into the techniques
- Lima
Lama- A martial art rooted in Kenpo. The founder Tino
Tiuolosega, was a student of Ed Parker.
- Won
Hop Kuen Do- Kenpo based system developed by Al Dacascos.
I have heard of the other Kenpo systems although I have
no information about them.
- Nippon Kempo
- Okinawian Kempo
- American Shaolin Kenpo
- Go Kempo
- Ju Kempo
- Sam-Pai Kenpo
Does Kenpo use other weapons other than its hands and feet?
In Kenpo schools,
defenses against knives and clubs are seen from yellow belt and up, and are
considered prime weapons in which to defend against. Kenpo also teaches its
students how to use weapons to increase their understanding of defense as well
as the logical scenario of being in a self-defense situation and finding a broom
stick-- that's why we teach the staff, for instance. Weapons that are taught
vary widely. Some schools of Kenpo teach the 8' staff or the 6' bo staff, while
others teach the chain, sticks, knives, nunchuku, tonfa, and sai. Weapon
training often begins at the green belt level, although in some schools it is
restricted to those of black belt level and higher. In most Kenpo schools, the
primary weapon skills taught are knives and clubs.
Does Kenpo have forms?
Many people
think that because Kenpo is a highly-directed "self-defense" art that
it contains no forms. This is very untrue. Kenpo has many forms with a notable
characteristics of having both circular and linear movements as well as hard and
soft techniques. Kenpo forms are used to teach speed and coordination of strikes
as well as movement, projections and immobilizations, and various principles of
motion. Many Kenpo systems utilize a numbering system for their forms, instead
of referring them by name to make them simpler to remember. The American Kenpo
system in particular utilizes the terminology of Long Form # and Short Form #
for many of our forms (i.e. Long Form 1, which builds directly off of Short Form
1). In other systems, the forms take on names, such as Tiger/Crane Set, Panther
Set, Poison Hands, etc. Other Kenpo systems have borrowed the Pinan forms as
well as common Okinawan, Chinese, and or Japanese forms.
Similarities
Between Kenpo and Other Arts
Kenpo and a
variety of other martial arts have many similarities in technique and principle,
primarily because of the diverse and eclectic background of Kenpo.
- Tae
Kwon Do and Kenpo- Many of the ariel and spinning kicks of TKD
have been brought to Kempo in the recent times often used primarily in
"sparring situations." Certain jumping and spinning kicks where
inherit in the Kempo system such as the Jumping Front, Side, Back and
Roundhouse kicks, as well as spinning back, and crescent kicks. Otherwise,
we use the linear striking but also add the circular motion not necessarily
found in Tae Kwon Do.
- Karate
and Kenpo- Karate and Kempo share the closet similarities in
techniques do to there similiar backgrounds. It is believed by many that
Karate has its origins as an offshoot of Kenpo. 95% of all Karate techniques
if not more can be found in the various Kenpo / Kempo systems.
- Jujutsu
and Kenpo- Many of Kenpo's immobilization and projection
techniques arrived from the Japanese Jujutsu and fit perfectly into our
techniques. The various throws, shoulder and hip projections, as well as
sweeps are a direct inheritance of Jujutsu. Which makes sense due to Jujutsu
being a common art taught in the early days of Kenpo in Hawaii.
- Aikijutsu
and Kenpo- In the last few years, many Aikido and Aiki jutsu
techniques have found there way into the Kenpo art, gracing the study of
Chin na with new principles and ideas. The most common techniques are Shiho
nage, Irimi nage, as well as en-no-irimi projections. Many students have
found a way to incorporate their Aikido techniques into the Kenpo arsenal.
- Kung
Fu and Kenpo- Although Kenpo was originaly a "Kung
Fu" style, it has incorporated many aspects of the hard Japanese
styles. It had major development and retooling in Hawaii and then again in
the United States of America. There are many joint locks and some throws, as
well as circular actions that may not be located in hard Japanese styles.
- Filipino
Arts and Kenpo- Kenpo seems to fit perfectly with the Filipino
arts; but that is possibly due to the alternating hand motions that flow
great into Kenpo techniques. Plus, when working with the knife and stick,
both arts work nicely complementing one another. Many top Kenpoists also
have a background in or studied the Filipino arts such as Richard "Huk"
Planas and Pekiti-Tirsia Kali Guro Zach Whitson.
The Future of Kenpo
As
you can see, Kenpo has a diverse history and an expanding future. If people
remember their histories and remember where their arts come from, it should be
endless growth for Kenpo. Numerous instructors are continuing down the paths of
the other Kenpo students in creating and developing their own systems of
self-defense.
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