What is the difference between Taekwando and Kenpo Karate?

Answer 1

other than the fact of their National or geographical origins. not very much at all, because Korean Martial Arts (like Tae Kwon Do) borrow heavily from both the Chinese and Japanese disciplines in all aspects of their techniques.

Japanese Martial Arts are more balanced or well rounded in their techniques between the punching and kicking aspects of fighting.

whereas Korean Martial Arts emphasize more foot techniques than hand techniques, because as yupchagee said, the legs are longer and often more powerful than the hands and arms in striking and often hand/arm techniques are more reserved for infighting or close quarters fighting so as to utilize the full potential of their ability to strike, trap, or grapple an opponent.

the legs are often used to keep an opponent at a distance or get a more devastating effect against an opponent for a follow up with a strike from the hands like a punch,a knifehand, or hammerfist/backfist, which is why Korean Martial Arts; Particularly Tae Kwon Do, and often Tang Soo Do emphasizes more kicking than punching.

While Japanese Martial Arts maintain a much closer relation between kicking and punching techniques by using them more in combination other than individually; in effect balancing them out.

Answer 2

RE: Is there a difference between Kenpo Karate and Karate? This might be a dumb question, but.......Is Kenpo Karate different then regular Karate or is it the same thing? Because I thought Kenpo is different then Karate, yet one instructor told me it's the same thing! HUH?

Answer 3

I'm not familiar with Kenpo speciffically, but from what I know of Japanese Karate in general, the use about equal amounts of hand & foot techniques. We (TKD) use more foor techniques. The advantage of kicking in self defense is that your legs are longer & stronger than your arms, giving you more power & longer reach. In most street confrontations, it also gives you the advantage of surprise, as most people will only look at your hands.

Answer 4

kenpo is more of a medatation and taekwando is more of learning how to fight.