what is kenpo like, how does it compare to other martial arts and what martial arts is it similar to?

Answer 1

Kempo or Kenpo
The Kanji (拳法) can be transliterated into English as either "Kempo" or "Kenpo". The first character "Ken" means "fist", while the second one "po" means "law". However, a popular system for translating Japanese into English is the Hepburn romanization method for creating Romaji, where the "Ken" would become "Kem" when it precedes an "h" sound, and the "h" takes on a "p" sound. Thus, "Kenho" becomes "Kempo". The common reference to "Kenpo" comes from the book that James Mitose produced in 1953 entitled What is Self-Defense? Kenpo JiuJitsu as a textbook on martial arts and due to a spelling mistake by the printers who printed an N instead of M the spelling of kenpo came about. In English, it is correct to use either term, though their particular usages have become somewhat stylized. The term stayed with his students, and when William Chow and Edmund Parker went to create their own Kempo schools, they took the "Kenpo" name with them.

Both "Kempo" and "Kenpo" are acceptable forms of transliterating the Japanese name however, and regardless of how you spell it in English, the Japanese spelling with Kana and pronunciation will not change. An "n" sound coming before a "p" "b" or "h/f" sound and will be pronounced as an "m" because of the glotteral stop. This is a natural transformation, and a similar transformation can also be seen in the distinction between the different pronunciations of "thin" vs "think". When pronouncing "kenpo" vs "kempo" even an English speaker will not actually produce a truly different pronunciation as this transformation is a completely natural habit, and unconscious action to assimilate an nasal sounding "m". As a perfect example of this is taken from the English word "impure", which comes from the negation "in" and root "pure". Thus, the writing of an "n" as opposed to an "m" in this case is entirely aesthetic. The most authentic pronunciation is actually a blend of "n" and "m" together. The second mora begins as a slightly nasalized "n" with the tongue pressing against the roof of the mouth and the lips slightly apart. The mora ends as an "m"-like sound with the lips pressing together but the tongue remains on the roof of the mouth, unlike the conventional English pronunciation of "m".


[edit] Kempo in the West
In the West, Kempo is mostly known as a mixed style that combines a heritage in Chinese martial arts, especially Shaolin, with karate (and sometimes called "Kenpo Karate"), often mixed with elements of other Japanese arts like jujutsu and aikijujutsu. In Japan, Kempo can refer to a large number of different (and mostly unrelated) systems of martial arts, mostly stemming from families in the feudal period—the term Kempo being used as an abbreviation, since the names are long.

There is a faction of Kenpo from Okinawa that has no American influences. This system is known as "Okinawa Kenpo" or "Ryūkyū Hon Kenpo". Hon means "original" and refers to the kenpo from the old Kingdom of Okinawa taught by the Late Grandmaster Seikichi Odo. Master Odo (1926–2002) operated the Shudokan Dojo in Gushikawa, Okinawa. Some of his senior students such as Richard Gonzales, Dennis Branchaud and Larry Gradolf established the art in the U.S. during the 1970s and 80s and continue to teach this old system in its original form. The style is built upon the karate of Shigeru Nakamura, a fellow student of Gichen Funakoshi under Master Ankoh Itosu. It preserves the old kenpo from China with the addition of several kata taught to Odo by Seiki Toma, a student of Choto Kyan. There are influences from the indigenous Okinawan art of Ti and there is also a weapons component comprised of 11 different weapons. Odo's weapons art contains techniques from Shinpo Matayoshi, Seiko Kinjo, Shigeru Nakamura, and Seiki Toma. Okinawa Kenpo is renowned for its unique sparring method called Bogu Kumite. Exponents spar with full contact using body armour that is similar to that worn by Kendo practitioners. The system is a blend of hard and soft (external and internal) arts and includes throws, heavy bag work, and makiwara practice. There is a strong emphasis on character development and maintaining a strict code of conduct.

Some practitioners follow that Kempo uses much of the same path as Chinese martial arts, but in order to shorten the amount of time to train a person, methods from Karate were used as the basis to quickly allow a person to learn the basics, and techniques. Whereas it often takes 10 to 20 years of continuous effort to master one form of kung fu, Kempo practitioners often can be black belted in around three to five years, depending on the instructor and system. Today the "style" of kempo/kenpo has become diverse. It has evolved into hybrid versions of jujitsu (kempo / kenpo Jujitsu

Answer 2

Kenpo is similar to Karate (sometimes spelled Kempo, as well). It has forms and sparring. The classes and ranks are similar to Karate because both styles are Japanes in origin. Ed Parker is the most popular Kenpo teacher and he really Americanized it. Most Kenpo schools will have the American Flag hanging and some even put it on their gi's. Kenpo also has a great focus on combinations when learning techniques.

Ed Parker's schools are not the only schools of Kempo around. I study at American Schools of Shao-Lin Kenpo, which are a spin off (yet again) that combine Kenpo, Kung-Fu and Ju-Jitsu.

Answer 3

Kenpo is like no other Art I have studied in almost 40 years. Kenpo is well known very well through out the world. The Art of Kenpo is a street prov en self defense system with devastating techniques, a continuous motion of the hands. Kenpoist don't have those Hollywood/fancy kicking techniques like you may see in the world of sport Karate.

I would like to suggest that you go to youtube.com to check out some kenpo demos or even enter a few names like, Jeff Speakman, Larry Tatum and Ed Parker. If you'd like to find out the history and or much try your favorite search engine and type in "kenpo".

This is truly a fascinating Art, I have been learning and teaching Kenpo for a little over ten years now. In the past I studied, Tang Soo Do & Tae Kwon Do, Chan Shou Do Kung-fu, Chung Moo Kwan and Shotokan.

If by chance there is a Kenpo School in your area please by all meens go there and watch a few class, you will enjoy it.

I hopt this information was helpful, good luck.

(77)

Answer 4

Here are some things to look up to give you more information.

Kajukenbo
CHA 3 kenpo
American kenpo

These are three of the most popular and effective styles of kenpo.
Kenpo is a very street effective and high speed martial art that places a lot of emphasis on hand techniques, take downs, and low kicks. Some seem to think we (kenpo practitioners) are to brutal, and that we cause excessive damage to others. We believe that if attacked we need to incapacitate the aggressor so as to not be attacked again while trying to get away.

Answer 5

Kenpo translates to fist law,
it was Americanized By Master Ed Parker, and later Master Al Tracy a Parker student.
The system started with Master Yoshida and comes from Kempo
Chinese Shaolin Kick Boxing
It has fast hand skills, but no ground.
Very fast and effective, my 3rd choice of the top 5 arts.
It also offers weapon skills.
Great street fighting style
Look up Tracy Kenpo Karate

Answer 6

Scott,
If you didn't like Kenpo you wold not have gone beyond Orange belt.There is a lot of circular motion in Kenpo; around 65% is circular.
Sifu --7th degree, Kenpo

Answer 7

Kenpo or Kempo is a group of hybrid Asian arts. It's really popular in the US. Chuck Liddell holds a black belt in a Hawaiian style of Kenpo I believe.

Answer 8

Without going into a history lesson or pasting wikipedia

The only style of kempo I've read about is Ed Parkers.
Supposedly derived from jiu-jitsu and various kung fu styles.
All karate styles are classed as either Japanese,Korean,Okinawan.
And all Chinese arts are Kung Fu

But Ed Parkers is described as Chinese karate.

If you get the chance seek out the film,
The perfect weapon..Starring Jeff Speakman.

As it offers a plausible descriptive of the style.

Hope this helps

Answer 9

Barking mad above me is thinking of KenDo which is a japanese fencing art. I hear kenpo/kempo is a fairly strong striking art and some good reviews on it though i never taken it personally.

but remember its the artist and not the art

Answer 10

i take kenpo it is like they say s very good stricking style with very practical defense techniques that can actually be put to good use in a average street fight if you need to defend yourself..but its 1 drawback is not really any ground involved but if you are proficiant with kenpo chances are you arent going to be the one on the ground your opponent will be