Kenpo martial art training is best described as a blend of Japanese Karate and Chinese Kung Fu. Kenpo uses lightning fast hand strikes and powerful bursts of energy to quickly stun, then finish an opponent before the aggressor has a chance to react. Strong self defense and short but effective katas and pinans are Kenpo trademarks. Kenpo is a unique and versatile martial art - a system that utilizes traditional and modern training methods. The Kenpo practictioner uses the rounded fluid motions of Chinese Kung Fu and the hard linear strikes of Japanese Karate to create self-defense techniques, form exercises and free-fighting combinations.
Training:
A typical training session includes, total body stretching and warm-up exercises, basic punching and kicking practice, combinations (self defense) which vary by belt rank. Students also learn forms, which are called Katas and Pinons, basic weapons such as staff. Session's may include: sparring, tumbling, grappling, sweeps, or advanced techniques.
Kenpo Karate is very versatile and include movements such as:
- Hard/Linear Movements
- Soft/Circular Movements
- Foot & Hand Techniques
- Joint Manipulation/ Joint Locks
- Takedowns, Throws & Sweeps
- Ground Fighting
- Traditional & Modern Weaponry
- Internal Energy Development
- Meditation & Breathing Techniques
Brief History
William K. S. Chow is perhaps the most notable person responsible for promoting Kenpo into the United States.
- William Chow had grown up studying his family style of Kung Fu which he learned from his father. After years of studying with Mitose, Chow combined both his knowledge of Kung Fu and Kosho Ryu Kempo to form his Kenpo Karate.
- In 1949 he opened a Dojo ("the place of the way") a training hall of his own in a local YMCA in Hawaii.
- In 1954 one of Chow's more prominent students, Edmund Parker, earned his black belt. He brought Kenpo Karate to the mainland and would eventually be known as "the Father of American Karate"
- Another student of William Chow was Adriano Emperado (Kenpo), who along with Walter Choo (Karate), Joe Holck (Judo), Frank Ordonez (Jujutsu), and George C. Chang (Chinese Boxing), combined to form KaJuKenBo in 1947. (Ka) Karate (Ju) Judo & Jujutsu (Ken) Kenpo (Bo) Chinese Boxing.
Grandmaster Victor (Sonny) Gascon was a student of Adriano Emperado from 1948-1952.
- In 1953 he was stationed in Hawaii with the Air Force and resumed his studies in Kalihi.
- In 1965 he was discharged from the Air Force and moved to California.
- In 1960 he departed from the kajukenbo system and founded the Karazenpo Go Shinzutsu system.
Grandmaster George Pesare, is one of Grandmaster Gascon s first black belts, and the man who introduced Kenpo Karate to New England. Grandmaster Pesare, opened his school in Olneyville, Rhode Island. From this school would come black belts that would open schools across America.
Among these are:
- Grandmaster Roger Carpenter
- Professor Nick Cerio
In 1966 a young black belt named Nicholas Cerio learned of Professor William K. S. Chow and his top student William Chun. After studying with William Chun, Sensei Cerio was given permission to train under Professor Chow. On August 15, 1967 he was awarded Shodan in Chinese Kenpo by Professor Chow. In 1983 Master Parker awarded Sensei Ceri 9th Dan. In 1989 he was awarded Above Ranking Status by the World Council of Sokes. Sensei Ceri passed away in 1998, and will be greatly missed by the martial arts community.
In 1991 Masters Self Defense Centers was formed. Shihan Nohelty and Shihan Bryant both hold multiple black belts in various styles of Kenpo. Both Nohelty and Bryant have been studying Kenpo, Kung Fu, Shotokan, Okinawan, Japanese, and Chinese weapons for almost 30 years. The style has roots back to Karazempo Go Shinjitsu and Kajukenbo system.
