Kenpo Karate (Kempo)
Characteristics of Kenpo
Kenpo Karate is a complete fighting system that is particularly popular in the United States.
Kenpo places equal emphasis on the use of hands and feet and uses similar fighting techniques to other Okinawan fighting styles. Kenpo also practises Kata or forms like other martial arts. Whereas most Karate styles use white gis (uniforms) throughout, a visual characteristic of Kenpo is its use of black Gis for higher grades and even the mixing of black Gi tops with white pants and vice versa.
History of Kenpo
Like most Okinawan fighting arts, Kenpo Karate can trace its roots back to the Shaolin monks of China. Master “To-De” Sakugawa (1733-1815) from Shuri, the ancient capital of Okinawa, travelled to China in the 18th century to train with the Chuan Fa masters (Chuan Fa is what Chinese Kung Fu was called at that time). On his return to Okinawa he developed what became known as Shuri Te, from which Kenpo was later born. In contrast, the Okinawan martial arts developed in Naha, the modern-day capital of Okinawa, first became known as Naha-Te, and developed later on into Goju-Ryu Karate).
In 1916 a young Hawaiian named James Mitose travelled to Kyushu in Japan where he learnt Kosho Ryu Kempo. He later returned to Hawaii where he taught William Chow, who further developed the art. To differentiate his system from that of Mitose, William Chow called his school Kenpo Karate. As a visual break from the traditional Japanese and Okinawan Karate styles, Mitose and Chow introduced the wearing of black gis for higher ranks, to indicate that Kenpo was a different and more of a “war art” than the increasingly sports-oriented, white-Gi-wearing Karate styles.
Ed Parker, father of American Kenpo
Ed Parker, also a Hawaiian, was a student of William Chow. Ed Parker is considered the father of American Kenpo, as he had the greatest modern day influence on the spread of Kenpo around the world. Ed Parker opened the first ever university campus martial arts school in Utah USA in 1954, at the age of only 23.
Ed Parker later became a tournament promoter. At one of his early tournaments, Bruce Lee first came into the view of the general public. Ed Parker was also active as a movie actor, stunt coordinator, author and
instructor to many famous Hollywood actors.
Kempo or Kenpo?
There is no difference between Kenpo and Kempo, they are different spellings of the same martial art. The Japanese kanji character for kenpo and kempo is the same, yet when translated to English, the N can also be an M. Kenpo or Kempo translates to “Law of the fist”.
Origin of Kenpo: Okinawa
Founded By: Sakugowa
Popularised by: Edmund K Parker better known simply as Ed Parker or “The Father of American Kenpo”. Among his most famous students where Elvis Presley, Larry Hartsell, Steve McQueen, Robert Wagner, Warren Beatty, Audie Murphy and Dan Inosanto.
Books by Ed Parker:
- Infinite Insights into Kenpo Vol 1 Mental Stimulation
- Infinite Insights into Kenpo Vol 2 Physical Analyzation
Dan Ball said:
On one page you say: “There is no difference between Kenpo and Kempo, they are different spellings of the same martial art. The Japanese kanji char […] more
kempo_jujitsu said:
the WORD kempo/kenpo…still the same word with the same meaning. however you are right, what i was told was that chow misspelled it but decided to k […] more
Phillip Harlow said:
i trained with Okinawan Kempo 7th Dan Black Belt(Grand Master) Joe Aldridge, He says that Kempo means Temple Fist
peter said:
you are right that kenpo and kempo are completely diferent arts but kempo is not rigid or choppy kempo is a complete martial system using punches kick […] more
Simon West said:
Kempo actions are merely mimickery of some of Chuck Norris’s home remedies for the common cold. Only through his teachings can one hope to understand […] more
Mike said:
I’m disappointed that this thread has turned into what amounts to style-bashing. I had enjoyed this site up until now, but this kind of sophomoric ban […] more
Mike said:
That being said, there is no difference between Kempo and Kenpo literate except for the original translation from Kanji to English. Any difference […] more
amal gul said:
Dear sir. i hope u will be fine and ok.i m amal gul black belt 3rd dan from pakistan.
Joaquin Sahagun said:
I am really impressed at the complexity of thought given to the simplicity of a kick and a punch.
Peter Hibbett said:
Hello I have a 6 year old girl and would like to find a class that would train her, that is near to us. We also have a friend that has two girls 6 a […] more
Jeffrey Ade said:
I was able to take a day long course with Master Parker in Pasadena at Frank Trejo’s school, with John Conway Jr. He even did a self defenses techniq […] more
Brian said:
hahaha, how is Kempo anything close to what Chuck Norris does? Chuck has black belt rankings in Tang Soo Do, TKD, Shito Ryu, and possibly even Brazil […] more
Lila said:
Ever sience I started in kenpo karate I’ve grown confident in myself. A.E. Vea’s school has helped me a lot. Mr. Fetty (instructor) is really nice.
Steven said:
I am thinking about trying to find a karate class but i am the more aggressiv type and would rather strike thank evade or throw which form or karate w […] more
Paul said:
my daughter and i just started taking kenpo style karate. we enjoy it we have 2 very good instrutors ( doug & jason)at (ameri-kick) this type of k […] more
Kelsey Goggia said:
Getting into Kenpo Karate was a great experience for me. The environment was very enjoyable and I have a lot more confidence and respect for myself an […] more
Dave said:
Ed Parker’s American Kenpo is NOTHING like Okinawan or Japanese Kempo. Look at a Parker form and look at a Kosho Ryu form. They are light years apart […] more
Meekstud said:
There’s a difference between a style and a system. I’ve studied Kenpo for 4 years and American Kenpo for 2, and am now doing Kempo and have been for 7 […] more
Renee Neal said:
My teacher is Ed Parkers’ Kenpo Son and Black Belt, Master Bob Liles. As a teacher and Manager at Liles’ Karate school since 1988, I knew SGM Ed Parke […] more
kempo_jujitsu said:
Nevertheless…kempo/kenpo…its the same word, with the same meaning. “fist law” But i was told, by a student of professor kimo fereirra of hawai […] more
jeremy said:
As a muay thai fighter, I lost my instructor and wantde to find a new style of martial arts to study. I have found that with my background American K […] more
kenpo karate-jujitsu said:
Ed Parkers kenpo is nothing compared to C.H.A. 3 Kenpo that came from Hawaii. You should visit their website if you have a chance, it’s C.H.A.3kenpo.c […] more
NS.Kenpo said:
Hi, I know this is slightly out of context, but i have question. Is Arnis a form of karate? I have been practicing Kenpo for about a year while my you […] more
jason said:
Karate is a japanese art, while arnis is a phillipino stick fighting art. The sticks represent swords.
Lance said:
From my understanding Kenpo and Kempo are the same. If you do see a difference in Kenpo styles it is because the instructor or instructors decided to […] more
francisco said:
I did kenpo for one week and it sucked. My sensei was a liar even he said he was a 9th degree black belt and when I went to his senseis website it sai […] more
Bill said:
Temple fist? Never heard of that one before. Ken means fist, po means law. Kenpo is fist law or Americanized Law of the Fist.Chaun fa (the true ter […] more
MATTHEW said:
All you people arguing over styles you have not learned the real reason for training in the arts. Look deeper than the punches this is where great […] more
Jeff said:
Well, i know nothing of martial arts, and nothing of this site, but i will tell you one little thing. If i knew where the people who are making dumb-a […] more
William Armenteros said:
Ed parker’s American Kenpo Karate is the best kenpo ever created. I’m not trying to over boost or over speak for the system, but listen to this: i […] more
william Armenteros said:
I would love to see how you throw your round house jeffy but let me tell you if i block if i do, you will be recieving more than one counter.
william Armenteros said:
if someone will please help with finding a instructor authentic kenpo please give me a holla back PLEASE
kenpo dad said:
william: not knowing where you live, here’s a link to the contact page for Kenpo2000. It’s a direct descendant of Ed Parkers Kenpo (Professor Hancock […] more
James Michaels said:
Hi, I practice Kempo Karate and it is a little different from what I have seen of Ed Parkers Kenpo. I believe the words Kenpo and Kempo are transl […] more
lampard08 said:
wado ryu is better! [Eire!]
Azamat said:
Hello
Jizamesh said:
I once got taken in the ass by a kenpo master,he had a big black juicy cock and large balls.
Sung Hoon said:
Hi I am perpect charming guy in the Korea. daido juku is best haha k-haha
Bob Fitzgerald said:
=hahaha, how is Kempo anything close to what Chuck Norris does? Chuck has black belt rankings =in Tang Soo Do, TKD, Shito Ryu, and possibly even Brazi […] more
Adam said:
I’ve studied Kenpo for 11 years under AKKA, an organization that was founded by Ed Parker’s student, Thomas Connor, and Bill Packer. It would be nice […] more
tom said:
seeing that this is a okinawan and japanese ite tou should at least have some infomation on there history connected with KEMPO cause thats why i came […] more
nice said:
Nice website
Michael said:
I have just reviewed the previous 10+ submissions on this site and am amazed at the narrow minded chest beating displayed by several. I always though […] more
aidan said:
i have studied the arts for 25 years and found the style I practice now, Kombat kenpo to be the most complete and effective martial art i have ever s […] more
Jmurf said:
Verrry Interesting!!!!…although I only scanned the first lines of the comments. I figure whatever art you are taking at the moment is the best art f […] more
Mario Lorenzana said:
I have had the honor of meeting MR BOB LILES at IKC this year in Mexico, it was a great kenpo party, with competitors all over the world, I mean, it w […] more
dave said:
The best of all martial arts come to these easy to learn systems using Sigung Weiner’s Kombat Kenpo, Silat and Chi-na Kung fu
Jo said:
Simple, His legacy lives on. Though not in the way a lot of us would have liked to keep it, it lives on. There has been a lot of confusion and […] more
Jo said:
It depends on the type of Kenpo you are actually looking at. If you study the Japenes forms you will get more rigid techniques and Katas. If you […] more
Jeff said:
I have studied both Okinawa Kempo (in Okinawa) and Ed Parkers Kempo. They are nothing alike.
Elvin P said:
Arnis is a weapon therefore not Karate. Karate roughly means “the way of the empty hand”
Steve Stefancic said:
Who was awarded rings by Ed Parker, I have heard he gave out 9 to his top students.
International Kempo-Karate and Kobudo federation said:
Kata, Kata Kobudo, Kobudo Bunkay, Salf-Defense, Kumite
Shinka said:
Kempo and kenpo are the same art. They use the same kanji. However, when written in kana (Japanese syllabery), the nasal ‘n’ is pronounced as ‘m’ whe […] more
beffy said:
I have been learning Kenpo Karate since i was 7 years old (Now 15) and am now a 3rd degree black belt in France. I have read yout article and i agree […] more
Robert Willson said:
Looking for kempo class in Bentonville AK. Please let me Know. Thank you
Kevin said:
You are not getting the picture Parker studied under these masters . They began with a closer relation to the Okinowan style and as the article ment […] more
christopher peters said:
What style of karate is american kenpo/kempo karate?