Martial Arts: Kempo (Kenpo Karate)
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 Gi’s 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 Gi’s 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

December 3rd, 2005 at 8:44 pm
actually i was told, that the reason the “american/chinese” versions of the art are spelled with an n, is because chow did not have the money to repub […] more
February 17th, 2006 at 12:34 pm
I have studied Kenpo for several years now, and find that it’s fluitity makes it very effective. I also study Ju-Jitsu and find it interesting and dev […] more
February 17th, 2006 at 1:03 pm
I am a blue belt in a MMA System that Studies Kenpo, JuJitsu, Judo, Kung-Fu, and Muay Thia. I love the MMA! Kenpo is one of my favorites because of th […] more
March 23rd, 2006 at 4:53 pm
I am a soon-to-be-green belt in the American Kenpo martial arts system. I have also studied Tae-Kwon-Do, and a little bit of Sambo. I find that Kenpo […] more
April 3rd, 2006 at 10:42 pm
I just turned into a 3rd Degree Sankyu, just to see if our systems are the same, does everyone here know the crash of eagle?
May 3rd, 2006 at 7:38 pm
My website includes a host of information regarding the history of “Moh Kempo”, a blend of Ed Parkers Kempo with Chinese influence. Taught at many sc […] more
May 30th, 2006 at 11:18 am
I’m not totally sure, as I do not practice Kenpo/kempo but I believe the reason for the letter switch is because the only consonant that can exist on […] more
June 8th, 2006 at 8:46 pm
Im soon to be officially a yellow belt. I have just started and so much to learn. It’s exciting and fun, but I also know concentration and co-ordinati […] more
August 8th, 2006 at 1:37 pm
I am doing CHA3 Kenpo in Texas. I will be moving to Detroit, MI (northern suburb) next year. Does anyone know where I can continue my training in Ken […] more
October 3rd, 2006 at 9:49 pm
Kempo is a fun art. It’s got something for everyone. You like kicks? Go ahead and kick em’. Wanna choke em’ out? Great. How about some dynamite punch […] more
November 20th, 2006 at 1:31 pm
This is not technically about Kenpo it is about a different sytle of fighting. It is the Red Dragon style and it is not featured on this site, and I […] more
December 9th, 2006 at 8:56 pm
My understanding of the “m” and “n” spelling is that while they are similar martial arts “kempo” has more opend hand techniques than “kenpo” does an […] more
January 23rd, 2007 at 9:32 am
iv been training kemop for about a year now and i have found myself to be a lot more physicly fit n my mind is at ease, im goin for my purple belt so […] more
February 14th, 2007 at 9:35 pm
I study both Ryukyu Kempo and Tracy Kenpo. The Japanese word Kempo means law or constitution. The ‘n’ and ‘m’ are interchangable. The word kenpo or […] more
April 23rd, 2007 at 1:45 pm
what i like most about kenpo is the groin kicks. it’s great to see the shock on peoples faces when they get kicked
May 13th, 2007 at 9:39 am
The thing I find that I like about Kenpo, I currently am enrolled in Combined Kenpo, is the different hand-strikes and the way my specific teacher has […] more
August 4th, 2007 at 1:37 am
I really loved this when I took it. I think it is superior to other forms of martial arts. Can’t wait to find a good teacher again. My last teacher wa […] more
November 3rd, 2007 at 1:25 pm
I am trying to get in touch with Reggie Charles. I have some questions regarding Olaf Simon. I can be reached at (206) 375-8785 or at my e-mail ad […] more
November 8th, 2007 at 4:52 pm
Hey, i am currently a 3rd degree brown belt in kenpo… Heres an awesome book with alot of history of kenpo… “The Journey” It will […] more
November 16th, 2007 at 12:55 pm
Ken means fist in japanese, and Po means law. I take Tracy Karate and I’m a green belt.
November 20th, 2007 at 7:19 pm
Hi i am a Black Belt in KEMPO karate i Have stopped doing it as it was closed down as my karate teacher died aged 60 from limbfatic cancer i am a fema […] more
December 22nd, 2007 at 6:40 pm
I have to mentionNick Cerio and Great Grand Master George P. Both are great in american Kempo and are the founders of Kempo in the North East. Now t […] more
January 9th, 2008 at 8:36 pm
We must not forget IKCA Kenpo developed by Grandmaster Sullivan and Grandmaster LeRoux. This “lean and mean” version is second to none for self-defen […] more
January 13th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
A lot of great teachers in Colorado. One of whom trained with Ed Parker for numerous years. My email is brkentoes@msn.com
March 21st, 2008 at 8:08 pm
Kajukenbo is I believe a Hawaiian born style that is a street fighting style. I don’t know too much about it, but it’ll be another style you may add t […] more
March 23rd, 2008 at 7:50 pm
I currently am a student at west wind karate where we are taught Kempo and i love it. I am stronger faster and really balanced now as opposed to befo […] more
April 22nd, 2008 at 12:05 pm
I am a 2nd degree black belt in the style of Chinese Kempo. We do teach Crash of the Eagle. It is for a rear choke hold.
April 29th, 2008 at 9:03 pm
Kenpo is a dynamite self-defense system. Even Krav Maga has taken some techniques from Kenpo. How street effective is Kenpo? Don’t forget Elvis’s b […] more