TJF's Note: In my opinion, Chinese Kenpo and Kenpo-Jujitsu are the best styles for the street. However I must point out that their history is convoluted at best. The information below has been heavily edited. Information on the Twin Dragons System was updated on Jan. 9, 2001.

Kenpo, also written as Kempo, is unique as far as its history goes in two respects; it is considered by many the first eclectic martial art, as well as having its founding roots stretch back to 520 BC. The catalyst of the way of Kenpo was a prince and warrior of southern India called Bodhidharma. According to the records of the Lo-Yang temple, Bodhidharma was a Buddhist monk under the tutelage of Prajnatara and it is presumed that upon his death bed that Prajnatara requested Bodhidharma to travel to China where he felt the principles of Buddhism where in decline, and that the knowledge of dhyana (Zen koans) should be known.
Kenpo is a unique martial art having been founded several centuries ago in the Chinese Shaolin temple, thus bringing with it a certain air of mystery. As a martial art, Kenpo is referred to as a Do. The Do is referred to in Buddhist Zen scripts as a path towards enlightenment. Lao Tzu, a priest of Taoism said "Mastering others requires force; Mastering the self requires enlightenment.." This phrases sums of the full circle of what Kenpo strives towards. Although on its surface Kenpo can be seen as a unique form of self-defense, hidden beneath its physical exterior are levels where characteristic centralization of mind and body form. At this level, Kenpo's practitioners move from a simple form of fighting to a higher level of ability and a higher level of enlightenment. Ying Kuchan, a Shaolin monk and master of Kenpo after a lengthy period of meditation in a Zen rock garden spoke of Kenpo saying "Kenpo is the power of adaptability and yielding; the harmony of all things working together."

On the surface, Kenpo's uniqueness lies in its comprehensive and diversified means of unarmed defense. For example, Kenpo Karate is both an armed and unarmed system of combat incorporating applications in varying appearances and method. On an external level, Kenpo is a no holds barred fighting system of offensive and defensive methods with equal emphasis of striking techniques with the hands and feet; immobilization and controls; projections and take down; as well as weaponry and various spiritual and healing arts. Chinese Kenpo is a street wise defensive art that does not restrict its students in methodology. Clawing hands evolve into slashing feet. Cunning joint locks turn into devastating hip throws. Evasive blocks turn into breath closing chokes.

The possibilities are endless. The only true fighting systems are those where there are no rules applied. From the books of the Han dynasty we learn "Nothing is impossible to a willing mind." And it is from this saying that we can derive the upper principles of Chinese Kenpo. What sets Kenpo apart from boxing, wrestling, and Sunday night football is an emphasis on centralization of body and mind, a concept understood by very few. Many people are quiet happy with only the surface value of Kenpo taking its studies for reasons of physical health, self-defense, or a Monday night hobby. But for what level of imperfection will you settle for in yourself? If there is more to Kenpo why not grasp it. Kenpo tries to build a persons psychological persona as well as turning the ego self into the egoless self. The true Kenpo is not a means of felling an opponent by force of hand or weapon, nor was it originally intended as a means of arms.

Kenpo calls for a bringing of inner peace to the self, and the universe around us. A master of Kenpo is not only a master of self-defense, but a master of himself. In the end, the direction of Kenpo was best described by Bruce Lee when he commented on his art of Jeet Kune Do; "To have no way as a way; To have no limitations as a limitation."

Kenpo Styles - Partial List

Kosho Ryu

This style of Kenpo was brought by visiting monks to the Mitose family in the 15th century. Over the centuries this form of Shaolin Chuan Fa was blended and refined with forms of Jujitsu that where common to the area as well as Rinzai Zen philosophy, Kyudo, and other arts. Kosho, the name of the Mitose clan means "Old Pine Tree", and the Kenpo art is referred to as "The Old Pine Tree Style." Kosho-Ryu Kenpo was brought to the United States by Hawaiian born James Mitose, who learned the art in Japan from his uncle. One of his last students was Bruce Juchnik, who calls the Kenpo he teaches Kosho Shorei-Ryu Kenpo. He is one of the few people to be issued a Masters Certificate from James Mitose. He is considered by many to be the current Grandmaster of Kosho Ryu Kenpo. Before, Mr. Juchnik even met James Mitose, he was a skilled instructor of American Kenpo (Tracy System), and other martial arts. These included Hung Gar, Wing Chun, Escima, and Silat. He was one of the last people to receive training from James Mitose. The training was limited to verbal instruction only due to the fact that James Mitose was serving a life sentence in a maximum security prison at the time. James Mitose's son Thomas Barrow Mitose claims that he teaches the true form of his father's art and that he is the true Grandmaster of the Kosho-Ryu style. Kajukenbo founder, Grandmaster Adriano Emperado agrees, and has stated that, in his opinion, 'without a doubt that Thomas Barrow Mitose is the true keeper and Grandmaster of Kosho Ryu.'

Chinese Kara-Ho Karate

Founded by William K.S. Chow, a student of James Mitose, this Kenpo offshoot is a blend of the Kosho Ryu Kenpo and 5-animal Kung Fu of the Chow Family. Chinese Kara-ho Kenpo Karate utilizes many circular as well as linear techniques and requires 500 such techniques to be learned for black-belt status. Currently, Chinese Kara-ho Kenpo Karate is under the evolution of Sam Kuoha who has added various new techniques as well as 12 kata based on Chow's original 12 base linear techniques. Chinese Kara-Ho Kenpo Karate is currently is a growing Kenpo organization with currently over 5000 members to its teachings.

Shaolin Kenpo Karate

The Chinese Kenpo Karate system was founded by Fred Villari, a student of Kajukenbo and Shorinji Kenpo systems, as well as other martial arts. Fred Villari's system tends more towards the Kung-Fu element and utilizes the techniques of the 5 animal Chuan Fa to a large extent. Added to the Kenpo system was White Tiger Chin Na techniques as well as various Aikijujitsu projections and immobilizations. Chinese Kenpo Karate is taught across the United States and Canada. Grandmaster Villari's organization is Villari's Self Defense Centers. There have been several splinter organizations.

American Kenpo Karate

An offspring of William Chow's Chinese Kenpo Karate, Ed Parker's American Kenpo system is of of the largest and most well organized systems. Parker took what William Chow taught him and organized every technique and movement into a format that could be broken down into levels for all students. Parker felt that innovations he added to his Kenpo eventually made up 85% of the system and thus he renamed it American Kenpo Karate. The American Kenpo system can proudly be seen in the moves "The Perfect Weapon", and "Street Knight" starring 5th dan, Jeff Speakman, head of the American Kenpo Karate Systems and former student of Ed Parker.
Mark Urbin

Contributor:
TJ Faasse`