Kenpo
Kenpo
Kenpo is another way of referring to martial art styles known by the name Kempo. The word Kenpo was originally a printer?s mistake for Kempo in a martial art manual published by Hawaiian Japanese master James Mitose. Most schools and style of Kempo prevailing in the West trace their origins to Mitose?s Kosho Ryu Kempo style. Most such styles continued to use the word Kenpo and both terms are considered correct at present.
Kenpo means ?the law of the fist ?, and is the Japanese translation of the Chinese term Quanfa (or Ch'uan Fa) meaning ?Fist Law?. Chinese term refers to martial arts in general. This is how it is used in East Asia.
In the West Kenpo refers to a large number of mostly related martial art styles. However some of the Kenpo styles can differ from others quite distinctly. Most have borrowed techniques from various other separate martial arts to develop comprehensive fighting systems. Both empty hand and weapons techniques are included in Kemps styles. In addition most Kenpo styles emphasize the need for spiritual, personnel, and physical, development of the practitioner.
Kempo systems can be classified according to some common characteristics. So Jusutsu Kempo refers to ?original? Kosho Ryu Kempo of James Mitose or Kempo styles that incorporate Jujutsu techniques. Kempo Karate refers to styles derived from Mitose student William Chow?s style and have placed emphasis on Shaolin techniques. Kenpo (as opposed to Kempo) Karate styles derive from the style of Ed Parker (Parker was a student of both Mitose and Chow). American Kenpo styles incorporate techniques used in Parker?s style at the end of his life. Chinese Kempo styles place emphasis on Chinese martial art techniques. Styles that incorporate Kung Fu animal styles are referred to as Shaolin Kenpo.
Techniques Kenpo is distinguished from Karate by the importance it places on both circular as well as linear techniques in striking, blocking, and in other movements. Kenpo especially in styles used in the Western countries allow for more grappling and throwing techniques than are available in Karate. Feet techniques used in Kenpo tend to be fast and efficient rather than graceful.
American Kenpo in particular includes techniques that aim to deliver multiple strikes quickly to the opponent. Strikes are prearranged one after another based on predictable responses of the opponent. This may result in excessive striking than is necessary.
Kata or prearranged movement drills, used to demonstrate and interpret as well as teach, techniques in Kenpo are similar to those used in Karate.
Karate training methods are also used in Kenpo training in order to make the learning process faster. Depending on the Kenpo style being studied a black belt can be obtained in about five years as opposed 20 or more years it takes a person to master Kung Fu. However, some Kenpo styles prefer Chinese training methods to Karate ones.
Some of the popular Kenpo styles include, Kosho Shorei Ryu Kempo, Chinese Kara Ho Kempo Karate, Shaolin Kempo Karate, American Kenpo Karate, Nick Cerio's Kenpo, White Tiger Kenpo Karate, Kajukenbo, Go Shin Jitsu - Kai Chinese Kempo, American Shaolin Kenpo, Nippon Kempo , Raven Kenpo Jujitsu, Koga Ha Kosho-Shorei Ryu Kempo, Kiyojute Ryu Kempo Bugei, and Yoshin Kempo. Above list is by no means exhaustive.