Kempo/Kenpo

The historical roots of kenpo/kempo are found in the Chinese Martial Arts Known as Chuan-Fa (Fist Methods). More than 2000 years ago, China was the cultural trendsetter of the orient. As warfare and commerce began to spread Chuan-Fa throughout Asia, these Chinese arts began to be combined with the indigenous arts of other countries. This was especially the case of mainland Japan and the island of Okinawa.

As Kenpo began to be established in lands outside China, at first it was practiced and taught in the same manner as in China. Over time, the differences in language, cultural distance, and political ideas began to alter these Chinese arts into other, eclectic arts. Kenpo is the art that was developed by mainland Japanase and Okinowans at this time. The art of Karate was further developed prior to World War II, and in many cases much of the Chinese influences were abandonded. Kenpo is a truly eclectic art that shares its roots with China and Japan

Today's Kenpo styles vary vastly from one type to another. Some use Chinese terminology, some use Japanese terminology, and some use only English. Regardless of the language they are taught in, all the Kenpo styles stem fromt he same Chinese Shaolin Chuan-Fa.

I Study Awase Kenpo:

Awase Kenpo Karate-Do

AKK is a blend of Okinawan Matsumura Seito Shorin-Ryu Karate-Do, Chinese Hawaiian Kenpo, and Japanese Kenpo-Jitsu. The Okinawan Karate techniques stress very powerful blocks, punches, and kicks that move in linear combinations of defense and attacks. The Chinese-Hawaiian Kenpo stresses all circular blocks, strikes, kicks, and sweeps. This art developed from the migration of Chinese Kung Fu to Hawaii, where it combined with an ancient Hawaiian martial art called Lua. The Kenpo-Jitsu part of training is a blend of Ju-Jitsu and Aikijitsu. This art is applied when you are in physical contact with your opponent. The art uses joint locks, joint bends, throwing techniques, chokes, pressure points, and pins.