Kempo - Definition and Overview

Kenpo or Kempo (拳法; lit. fighting method) is a category of mixed martial arts that have a basis in Karate, that incorporates Shaolin Kung Fu and/or Kickboxing to make the art more technically complete. In Japanese Kempo has a long history. Kempo itself is a Japanese word that it the trans lation of the Chinese "fist law." In the west, all Kempo styles (know by their use of the black uniform),can trace their lineage to James Mitose, a Hawaiian born Japanese who taught several students in the late 1930s and early 1940s.

It is believed that Kempo follows much of the same path Kung Fu takes, but in order to shorten the amount of time to train a person, methods from Karate were used as the basis to quickly allow a person to learn the basics, and techniques. As it often takes 10 to 20 years of continuous effort to master one form of kung fu, Kempo practitioners often can be black belted in around 3 to 5 years, depending on the instructor.

Normal Karate usually focuses on linear attacks and blocks, or straight moves, with power being more important than learning separate techniques. Kempo emphasizes more circular moves, such as the hook, or the uppercut as main attack methods. Kempo has more grappling moves, and throws than Karate. Both Karate and Kempo use katas, but Kempo katas tend to have more techniques to them, with an emphasis on multiple hits.

Kempo draws some stances and training techniques from Kung Fu, but changed them to shorten training time. Where some Kung Fu beginning artists can expect to hold stances for an hour or so, Kempo beginners tend to require less time in holding the stances, usually between one to fifteen minutes. Whereas some Kung Fu practitioners use methods like pushing rocks, Kempo uses modern calisthenic techniques like push ups to build up strength.

Partial List of Styles and Systems:

• • Mitose and Chow Lineage:
  • Kosho Ryu Kempo
  • Chi Lin Kempo
  • Karaho Kempo
  • American Kenpo
  • Shaolin Kenpo (Castro)
  • Shaolin Kempo Karate (Villari)
  • Kajukenbo
  • Tracy Kenpo
  • Karazenpo
  • Cerio Kenpo
  • CHA3
• Other
  • Shorinji Kempo (http://homepage1.nifty.com/shorinji/engindex.htm)
  • Ryukyu Kempo (Okinawan)
  • Shorinji Toraken Ryu Sogo Kempo Jutsu (http://www.torakendo.com)