Styles of Kenpo/Kempo

[Lord_Vorac]

Hi there, I did a quick search of this sort of thing on here, and didn't come across anything. I may not have searched hard enough though, so sorry if its already been posted.

But, what are the different styles of Kenpo? I've read alot about American Kempo, heard of different Japanese sounding Kempos, and even Shaolin and Chinese Kenpo. But what are the differences? Or are they all the same?

If there are differences, what are they? I know that instructors of the same style teach differently, but what are the general differences in they way each Kenpo is taught?

If this hasn't been done to death already, I thought it'd make a good discusion. I don't do kenpo/kempo myself, but am starting to get more and more interested, the more I hear.


Vorac.

[KenpoDavid]

Hi there, I did a quick search of this sort of thing on here, ... But, what are the different styles of Kenpo? ...If this hasn't been done to death already, I thought it'd make a good discusion...
Vorac.

Ooops, sorry, it has been done to death. And I love to write about Kempo, but, honestly... this Kempo forum is not that busy, spend a few minutes reading the older threads. Then come back and post some more specific questions, and then we will have a good discussion.

[Lord_Vorac]

So far I've found out that there are ALOT of different styles of Kenpo/Kempo.

I've heard Shaolin-, American- and Shorinji- Kempo alot, so are these like the main styles?

I've picked these three in particular because they seem, to me anyway, to be from different parts of the world. I represent Shaolin with China, Shorinji with Japan, and well - you get the third :D

Does this make the three styles of kempo different, much?

I've heard also that kempo is sort of a mixture of karate, judo and aikido? With soft internal aspects of chinese kung fu?

Just a couple to get the ball rolling, as it were...

[hunnysan]

yeah there are a lot of different styles of Kenpo/Kempo...and i didn't realize it until i did a search on the internet while trying to look for a school in my area. the main different styles that i've heard of are also the same, shaolin and american..and the other KEMPO styles also. as for the main difference i could only say between shaolin and american because those two are the only ones i've ever really looked into..not a lot of KEMPo dojo's in my area that i've seen. i know that american kenpo...after parker is less traditional...as in it is not so formal as in..i don't call my teacher sifu..i just call them mr or ms..as in styles and techniques??? hmm..i wouldn't know..i'm still juss beginning..hopefully more people can help out.

And yeah, this forum is kind of quiet? i don't know why..i wish there was a way to liven it up a bit..

DJ hunny

[Colin Linz]

As has been stated a number of times. Kempo is just the Japanese translation of Chaun Fa. Chaun Fa, or Chaun is just a generic term for martial arts in China. What defines their style are the remainder of their names, e.g. Tai Chi Chaun, I Ho Chaun or Shaolinssu Chaun Fa.

To answer your question. Yes, they can be very different. It depends on the commonalities of their linage. Kempo systems developed from a number of sources at different timelines. Some of these sources are related, others not. In general Kempo is more flowing and relaxed than Karate, although I have seen some systems that look like Karate, and use Karate Kata. Kempo systems in general seem to mix striking with locks and throws, so at some superficial level there is a relationship, but as you look deeper you will find that they can become greatly different.

[Tripitaka of AA]

Colin, sorry mate, it's "Chuan fa" not "chaun fa" :)

[Colin Linz]

It's all Greek to me. :)

Thanks for the correction. When are we going to get romanisation of Chinese and Japanese language in our spellcheckers?

[KenpoDavid]

Yeah, that's all good stuff, but here's an interesting note... Shaolin Kempo didn't come from China, it came form Rhode Island. and Shaolin Kenpo, is from California. Shorinji Kempo is from Japan. American Kenpo is from Hawaii. Isn't that special :) Now go twist a wrist :)

[Colin Linz]

The naming’s can be odd. You would expect a martial art called kempo to come from Japan, as it is a Japanese word. You can even understand why an art that is not from Japan, but wants to draw reference to Japan because of past links would use it. What I don’t understand is why arts that claim Chinese origin or links would use it? Anyway, I must be going; I’ve got wrists to twist :)

[Flashing Dagger]

Our kenpo is called "chinese kenpo" but I think this is really a mistake. We don't use Chinese terminology and we don't wear chinese uniforms. We study Tracy traditional kenpo but our belt system and uniforms are Japanese. I read somewhere in one of my kenpo books (Parker's infitie insights or Lee Wedlake, I can't remember) that at the time that Parker began commercializing his art the only MA that was popularly recognized was Karate and Judo. They called it "Chinese Kenpo" simply to make a distinguishment from the more recognized styles. I guess it was only Chinese in the fact that it was not Japanese. This was also one of the reasons for adopting the black uniform.

It seems that the Kenpo of today that stems from Hawaii (Mitose,Chow and Parker) is really an amalgamation from different sources. It would be interesting to do a comparative study of today's Tracy/Parker kenpo with it's supposed sources.

[KenpoDavid]

Our kenpo is called "chinese kenpo" but I think this is really a mistake.

If you search enough I posted a breakdown of al teh names Parker used over the years for his material. The Tracy's broke with him while he was using the name "Chinese Kenpo" and so that is what they still call it.

Parker was learning from some Chinese teachers at the time (Ark Wong and others) which is why he used that name at that time. Later he dropped all foreign words and phrases.

[lonekimono10]

well i'll just throw a rock in here and say that i teach" American chinese kenpo karate" it would take a lone time for me to break this down in here , but when you get a sec check out my site and it tells everything about it.

[R Strausbaugh]

Our kenpo is called "chinese kenpo" but I think this is really a mistake. We don't use Chinese terminology...
It's not so strange when you remember history. When the Okinawans taught what they learned from the Chinese, they used terminology from the Okinawan dialect (Hogan, I think it's called). When the Okinawans introduced their art to Japan, they taught using Japanese terminology. When the Koreans taught what they learned in Japan, they used Korean terminology. So to really be traditional, when teaching in America, one should use "American English" terminology.

BTW, I also practice Chinese Kenpo. I'm aware of the apparant contradiction in terminology, but retain it because (a) that's what my instructor called it, and (b) it acknowledges the Chinese roots of the system. To be perfectly honest, "a" is the more pressing reason. I guess I'm just a creature of habit. :)

[shaolin_hendrix]

I'm not sure, but I think Kenpo generally refers to CMA in Japan (Correct me if I'm wrong). Some styles, like Shorinji Kempo, are japanese styles based on Chinese styles. Other styles, like Chugoku Kenpo, are literally just CMA practiced in Japan. What I mean is that Shorinji Kempo is based on CMA because it was originally Shaolin Kung Fu, but over time it changed a lot, and now it's very different from Kung Fu. Chugoku Kenpo is literally CMA because it's a mix of Chin Na, Chi-Kung, and Pakua.

[Tripitaka of AA]

I'm not sure, but I think Kenpo generally refers to CMA in Japan (Correct me if I'm wrong). Some styles, like Shorinji Kempo, are japanese styles based on Chinese styles. Other styles, like Chugoku Kenpo, are literally just CMA practiced in Japan. What I mean is that Shorinji Kempo is based on CMA because it was originally Shaolin Kung Fu, but over time it changed a lot, and now it's very different from Kung Fu. Chugoku Kenpo is literally CMA because it's a mix of Chin Na, Chi-Kung, and Pakua.

Quite so. Someone told me that the Kojien (THE Japanese dictionary, like the Oxford English Dictionary is THE English Dictionary), defines "kempo" as something like; martial arts originating in China that make use of the hands and feet. Roughly.

[chenstyle44]

HI,
Ed parker was good friends with a filipino eskrimador in hawaii. Some of the kempo stuff that I have seen actually has a lot of the filipino martial arts influence, which is a distinct emphasis on flowing movement and multiple strikes.
Ill know more about the art in the next year, as I have just begun training in Budo Ryu Kempo in Calgary. Not sure about my master's lineage though. I keep hearing about Master Hicks, but im not sure if this is his kempo instructor.
Gord :D

[KenpoDavid]

I've heard that there is an influence on AK from the FMA, and in fact dual-sticks is on eof the only weapons skill staught in AK that I know of. Jeff Speakman uses them in The Perfect Weapon, in fact earlier this year Hanshi Lou Angel (Speakman's teacher before he went to Parker) was at our dojo and he had the sticks used in filming the movie (he was doing a seminar for us on a dual-stick kata and thought they would be an intersting thing to bring up for us to see)


I've never heard of budo ryu kempo, what else can you tell about it?


-D