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Kenpō

Kenpō

Kenpō (拳法) is the name of several Japanese martial arts. The word kenpō is a Japanese translation of the Chinese word "quánfǎ". This term is often informally transliterated as "kempo", as a result of applying Traditional Hepburn romanization,[1] but failing to use a macron to indicate the long vowel. The generic nature of the term combined with its widespread, cross-cultural adoption in the martial arts community has led to many divergent definitions. The word Kenpō translates thus: "Ken" meaning 'Fist' and "Po" meaning 'Method' or 'Law' as in 'Law of gravity', a correct interpretation of the word Kenpō would be 'Fist Method', the same meaning as 'Quanfa'. However, it is often misinterpreted as 'the Law Of The Fist'[2] , which appeals to those looking for a more 'imposing' or aggressive sounding name.

Kenpō
Also known asKempo, Kenpo
FocusStriking
Country of originJapanJapan
CreatorUnknown
Kenpō
Chinese name
Chinese拳法
Japanese name
Kanji拳法
Hiraganaけんぽう

Japanese Kenpo

Shorinji Kempo (少林寺拳法, shōrinji-kempō, meaning "Shaolin Temple Fist Method") is claimed to be a modified version of Shaolin Kung Fu (using the same kanji).[3] It was established in 1947 by Doshin So (宗 道臣, Sō Dōshin), a Japanese martial artist and former military intelligence agent,[4] who combined his quanfa and jujutsu practice.[5]

Okinawan Kenpo

Some Okinawan martial arts groups use the term kenpō as an alternate name for their karate systems or for a distinct but related art within their association. This can be illustrated by the official full name of Motobu-ryu style named as "Nihon Denryu Heiho Motobu Kenpo" ("Japan's traditional tactics Motobu Kenpo") and by the International Shorin-ryu Karate Kobudo Federation,[6] where Shōrin-ryū is the actual karate style practiced, whereas "hakutsuru kenpo", or "hakutsuru kenpo karate" is a related but distinctive style also taught by the association. Both the "n" and "m" romanizations are used by various groups.

Each kenpo/kempo as defined above has its own techniques and katas and its own roots even though it has the kenpo name, one thing you should pay attention to is the uniform that each kenpo practitioner wears, typically American Kenpo practitioners wears black uniform and Okinawan kenpo wears typically white uniforms. Besides the uniform that each wears are the names of the techniques and katas, American kenpo being in English and Okinawan kenpo in Japanese.

Kenpokai Full Contact Karate

Kenpokai Full Contact Karate was founded by Kancho Ohasi. It is a mix-form of Okinawan Kenpo and Kyokushin Karate. In kumite face strikes are allowed when using a helmet. Also ne waza is allowed. Besides kumite, Kenpokai has all traditional kata's and kihon techniques.

American Kenpo

Kenpo has also been used as a modern term: a name for multiple martial arts that developed in Hawaii due to cross-cultural exchange between practitioners of Okinawan martial arts, Chinese martial arts, Filipino martial arts, Japanese martial arts and multiple additional influences.[7] In the United States, kenpo is often referred to as Kenpo Karate. The most widespread styles have their origin in the teachings of James Mitose and William Kwai Sun Chow. Mitose spent most of his early years training in Japan learning his family style, Kosho-Ryū (Old pine tree school). James Mitose would later bring that style to Hawaii where he would teach Chow, who would go on to instruct Ed Parker and Bobby Lowe. The system of kenpo taught by Mitose employed hard linear strikes and kicks, pressure point manipulation, circular movement patterns, and joint locking and breaking.

Parker is the most prominent name in the Mitose lineage. A student of Chow in Hawaii for nearly six years, Parker moved to the US mainland to attend Brigham Young University. In 1957, he began teaching the kenpo that he had learned from Chow, and throughout his life modified and refined the art until it became Ed Parker's American Kenpo.[8] It employs a blend of circular movements and hard linear movements. Parker created techniques with names such as Thundering Hammers, Five Swords, Prance Of The Tiger, and Flashing Mace to provide a memorisation tool to the student.

These arts have spread around the world through multiple lineages, not all of which agree on a common historical narrative.

See also

  • Chinese martial arts

  • Martin T. Buell – founder of the Universal Kempo Karate Schools Association

  • Origins of Asian martial arts

References

[1]
Citation Linkopenlibrary.orgHepburn romanization provides for use of the letter "m" when ん precedes a labial consonant such as "p"
Sep 24, 2019, 4:22 PM
[2]
Citation Linkezine.kungfumagazine.comMcCorkell, Shaun. "Kempo's Tai Chi Connection". Kung Fu Magazine. Retrieved 2010-02-06.
Sep 24, 2019, 4:22 PM
[3]
Citation Linkwww.blackbeltmag.comBlue Johnson (7 October 2013). "Shorinji Kenpo: Shaolin Kung Fu's Kicking Cousin". Black Belt. Archived from the original on September 12, 2016. Retrieved 7 March 2016.
Sep 24, 2019, 4:22 PM
[4]
Citation Linkbooks.google.co.uk"Black Belt June 1979". Books.google.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-05-13.
Sep 24, 2019, 4:22 PM
[5]
Citation Linkopenlibrary.orgDraeger, Donn F. Modern Bujutsu and Budo: The Martial Arts and Ways of Japan. Weatherhill. p. 165. ISBN 9780834803510.
Sep 24, 2019, 4:22 PM
[6]
Citation Linkwww.worldbudokan.com"ISKKF". Worldbudokan.com. Retrieved 2014-02-17.
Sep 24, 2019, 4:22 PM
[7]
Citation Linkopenlibrary.orgRathbone, Jim. "James Mitose and the Path of Kenpo" 2006 White Tiger Productions.
Sep 24, 2019, 4:22 PM
[8]
Citation Linkkenpokarate.comTracy, Will (March 8, 1997). "Kenpo Karate Setting History Right 1960-1962". Kenpokarate.com. Retrieved 2014-02-17.
Sep 24, 2019, 4:22 PM
[9]
Citation Linkwww.kenpokarate.comHistory of Kenpo Karate
Sep 24, 2019, 4:22 PM
[10]
Citation Linkwww.kenpokaikan.weebly.comKenpokaikan
Sep 24, 2019, 4:22 PM
[11]
Citation Linkezine.kungfumagazine.com"Kempo's Tai Chi Connection"
Sep 24, 2019, 4:22 PM
[12]
Citation Linkweb.archive.org"Shorinji Kenpo: Shaolin Kung Fu's Kicking Cousin"
Sep 24, 2019, 4:22 PM
[13]
Citation Linkwww.blackbeltmag.comthe original
Sep 24, 2019, 4:22 PM
[14]
Citation Linkbooks.google.co.uk"Black Belt June 1979"
Sep 24, 2019, 4:22 PM
[15]
Citation Linkwww.worldbudokan.com"ISKKF"
Sep 24, 2019, 4:22 PM
[16]
Citation Linkkenpokarate.com"Kenpo Karate Setting History Right 1960-1962"
Sep 24, 2019, 4:22 PM
[17]
Citation Linkwww.kenpokarate.comHistory of Kenpo Karate
Sep 24, 2019, 4:22 PM
[18]
Citation Linkwww.kenpokaikan.weebly.comKenpokaikan
Sep 24, 2019, 4:22 PM
[19]
Citation Linken.wikipedia.orgThe original version of this page is from Wikipedia, you can edit the page right here on Everipedia.Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.Additional terms may apply.See everipedia.org/everipedia-termsfor further details.Images/media credited individually (click the icon for details).
Sep 24, 2019, 4:22 PM