|
The
History of Kempo
|
| Two
schools of thought exist regarding the origins of Japanese martial
arts. One school insists the art of Jujitsu is originally native
to Japan, while the other claims Jujitsu was actually developed
from an earlier form of Chinese grappling known as Chin-na.
Both Jujitsu and Chin-na stress the grappling and joint manipulation
aspects of fighting as opposed to the punching and kicking aspects. |
Regardless
of its origins by the 16th century Jujitsu was widely practiced
throughout Japan. Jujitsu was utilized by the Samurai warriors
in addition to their armed fighting methods. In addition many
Buddhist and Shinto temples throughout Japan advanced the practice
of Jujitsu and Shorinji Kempo. Shorinji is the Japanese word
for Shaolin, and Kempo the word for Chuan Fa, which means "law
of the fist," or "way of the fist." Essentially
Shorinji Kempo was the form of Shaolin empty hand combat that
had spread to Japan. |
|
| In
the 16th century the modern system of Kempo was first developed.
This style was originally known as Kosho-Ryu Kempo. This style
is different from the Shorinji Kempo mentioned earlier. Shorinji
Kempo was directly evolved from Shaolin systems. Kosho-Ryu Kempo
was a hybrid of Japanese Jujitsu and Shaolin. |
Kosho-Ryu
Kempo traces its roots to the Mitose family's Shinto monastery.
One story claims the Mitose family had long practiced Jujitsu.
Kosho was a member of the Mitose family who trained with a Shaolin
monk and added the Shaolin fighting techniques to the family's
Jujitsu. This story has two variations; according to one, Kosho
traveled to China to train with the Shaolin monk, while in the
other the Shaolin monk came to Japan. |
|
| The
other story claims that the Mitose family did not have any history
of practicing martial arts and that Kosho was not originally
a member of the Mitose family at all. According to this story
Kosho was a Shaolin master who learned Japanese Jujitsu and
eventually came to the Mitose monastery to became a member of
the family. |
In
any event this time period marked a major milestone in the evolution
of the martial arts and the birth of modern Kempo. This was
the first time the Shaolin fighting arts, consisting primarily
of striking and kicking techniques was fused with Jujitsu, which
consisted mainly of joint manipulation and grappling technique. |
|
| Kempo
continued to be the Mitose family art through the early 20th
century. In the 1940's James Mitose relocated to Hawaii. In
1942 he opened his Self Defense Club in Hawaii to teach his
family's Kempo. One of his students was the legendary William
Kwai Sun Chow. Chow was one of only six students ever to attain
the rank of Black Belt from Mitose. He was the only student
to master the style. |
Chow
had also learned Shaolin kung fu from his father, the Buddhist
monk Hoon Chow. Chow's development of Kempo marks another major
milestone in the evolution of the art. Today any style of Kempo
in the United States can trace its origins back to Professor
Chow. |
|
| Since
Chows death in 1987 his Kara-Ho Kempo system has continued under
the direction of Master Sam Kuoha. Master Kuoha was Professor
Chow's direct successor and continues to this day to teach Professor
Chow's system. |
Chow's
most famous student was the late Ed Parker. Parker had a background
in Phillipino martial arts in addition to his Kempo training
from Chow. Today Parker's system forms the backbone of the second
of three major branches of Kempo, with Chow's own system being
the first. |
|
|
Another
of Chow's students was Adriano Emperado. Emperado along with
several other martial arts masters created the art of Kajukenbo.
This style was centered in Kempo but added techniques from
many other styles, including Karate, Judo and Tae Kwon Do.
Sonny Gascon was involved with Emperado during and immediately
following the creation of Kajukenbo.
|
This
little known master is primarily responsible for the proliferation
of the third major branch of Kempo. The lineage of many famous
masters such as Professor Nick Cerio can be traced through
Sonny Gascon. In fact, Professor Cerio trained with George
Pesare who was a student of Sonny Gascon's in California.
Next
>>
|
