Kempo

Kempo is one of the oldest forms of Martial Arts and can be an effective method of self defense for women.

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A Buddhist monk named Bodhidharma came to China in about 500 AD. He stayed at a Shaolin temple and in exchange for his lodging and education he taught them a fighting art named Chuan Fa.

Before his arrival the monks were in sorry physical condition due to all the time spent in mediation and study. They had been the subjects of ridicule and abuse up to this time. By the time Bodhidharma left, the monks were performing masterful feats of Martial Arts and gained the respect of their community.

Through the years many men have gone to China to study it and when leaving have added their own spin on the art to create composite styles with a base name of Kempo. It is an armed and unarmed system of combat incorporating application of various appearances and methods. It does not restrict students in methodology. There are endless possibilities. There are claims that it is the only true fighting system where no rules apply.

The direction of this style leads its students toward goals represented by a sphere, constantly expanding with the final goal only the beginning of a new stage. It is referred to as a Do. In Buddhist Zen script the Do represents a path toward enlightenment. It is a bringing of inner peace to self and universe. The master of this style is a master of self defense and also a master of oneself. According to Ying Kuchan, a Shaolin monk and master of this Martial Art, "Kempo is the power of adaptability and yielding; the harmony of all things working together."

There is no difference between it and Kenpo; both are pronounced the same mean "The Law of the Fist". It teaches defenses against knives and clubs starting at yellow belt. The primary weapon skills include:

1. Knives
2. Sticks
3. Half Staff
4. 6 foot Staff
5. Sword
6. Chain

Its forms implement both circular and linear movements as well as hard and soft techniques. It is used to teach speed and coordination of strikes as well as projections, immobilizations and various principles of fighting. Another aspect is "speed striking”. The student works to build his striking speed to where 10 or more strikes can be delivered in a few seconds.

Some of the techniques pulled from other Martial Arts include:

• Karate: has the closest similarity since an estimated 95% of karate techniques are found in Kempo
• Tae Kwon Do aerial and spinning kicks such as jumping front, side, roundhouse and wheelkick
• Jujitsu: immobilization and projection moves, various loin throws, shoulder and hip projections and sweeps
• Kung Fu: many soft techniques-primarily Chin na, weapon styles and the five animal techniques

There are many different styles, depending on who founded the various schools.

• Kosho Ryo Kempo:brought in by visiting monks to the Mitose family in 15th century. Kosho is the name of the Mitose clan and means "Old Pine Tree"
• Kara-ho Kenpo: founded by Wm KS Chow- student of James Mitose. Incorporates the five animals Kung Fu. Uses circular and linear techniques and requires 500 techniques to obtain a black belt.
• Shaolin Kempo:formed by Fred Villari, tends more toward Kung Fu elements with Chuan Fa to large extent
• American Kempo: founded by Ed Parker and is the largest and well organized system. Parker added his own style to about 85% of the system.
• Nick Cerio’s Kempo started in 1974 credits Wm Chow as his teacher and Ed Parker as his coach. Uses "old method of training", teaches most of the Shotokan forms, Kung Fu and Kajukenbo forms, Tea Kwon Do kicks, Japanese stances as well as Jujutsu.

This style of Martial Art is a blend of many other styles and has many diverse schools. A great example of women's self defense!

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