What Do You Think?

I read somewhere than a few Kenpo instructrs call themsleves Sifu. Would this be accurate? Does Kenpo seem to be Japanese based? (Though it latests claim to Chinese roots, but so does Shorin Ryu)

Many kenpo instructors use the term sifu and have a Chinese emphasis. James Mitose's lineage is rather Japanese. Ralph Castro's lineage has instructors referred to as sifu. IT seems that in Hawaii, there was a hybriding of the cultures and arts. It just depends.

Kenpo with an N usually denotes Chinese influence. However in my kenpo schools it was either Sensei (Japanese for teacher) or Mr. xxxxx I believe Sifu is master in Chinese. Conventional martial arts etiquette in the US reserves the title of Sifu or Shihan (Japanese) for those who have obtained 5th degree black belt.

To be honest it just comes from there art, and which way they train. like one of the comments below kenpo from hawaii really was made into a new form but was taught with all the old traditions. So as sifu means master/father its usually saved and respected as a founder of the art or highest rank(such as a proffesor) would be called sifu.it was practically adopted to keep the tradition alive. (personal oppinion of what i have seen) but as i stand i am an assistant instructor in a hawaii based kenpo. and we reserve these names like i said for the highest ranks. and also in hawaii they changed they gi to, as students all wear white gi's. Jr instructers (or oreo's) n full instructers wear all black gi's.

I dont think a explanantion of why a Japanese related art has Chinese dialect has been addressed...\\\

Yah I think Kenpo is more Chinesse on origin vs, Kempo which I think is more from Japan

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