Chinese Kenpo?

[MMAfighter]

I've been asking this question for a long time, is there such thing as Chinese kenpo? Because i was playing tekken 5 and th character Feng Wei's style was "chinese Kenpo" is it the same thing as Shaolin kenpo which I'm also wondering what it is? What's the style like?

[Katsujinken]

I think it was generally agreed in the last thread of this title that
1. Kempo is simply a Japanese name for Chaun Fa or Kung Fu.
2. That the term Chinese Kempo is used by wannabe Sokes.
3. That the term is an oxymoron
4. That American styles of Kempo claim route from Mitose but many of these styles look more like karate.

However:
You get American Kempo in Japan, so some people might want to use the phrase Chinese Kempo to distinguish the Chinese fist arts (Collectively Called Kempo) from:

A. The Okinawan art known as Kempo
B. Early Japanese Karate (i.e. Kempo Karate Jutsu & Wado Ryu Kempo Karate Ju Jutsu)
C.The imported American Kempo.

But alas as far as I am aware there is no such specific art, unless its a very modern one. Its simply a term used by some people.

As regards Chinese Chaun Fa taught in China that could perhaps be labelled Chinese Kempo there is:

The Chinese art Yiquan which is called Takiken in Japanese and is also known as Jissen Kempo. This is an art that could perhaps be labelled as a Chinese Kempo to ditinguish it from the American types, but there are a lot of other Chaun Fa's in Japan to which the term Chinese Kempo could be applied . You can find details of Jissen Kempo here complete with some pictures:

http://budovideos.com/shop/customer/home.php?cat=281&page=1

Their main website is here:
http://www.taikiken.org/

Hope that helps

Regards

Chris Norman

[Southwell]

Check out www.ackks.com I do not know this man but I heard he's good.

[Steel]

I think it was generally agreed in the last thread of this title that
1. Kempo is simply a Japanese name for Chaun Fa or Kung Fu.
2. That the term Chinese Kempo is used by wannabe Sokes.
3. That the term is an oxymoron
4. That American styles of Kempo claim route from Mitose but many of these styles look more like karate.

However:
You get American Kempo in Japan, so some people might want to use the phrase Chinese Kempo to distinguish the Chinese fist arts (Collectively Called Kempo) from:

A. The Okinawan art known as Kempo
B. Early Japanese Karate (i.e. Kempo Karate Jutsu & Wado Ryu Kempo Karate Ju Jutsu)
C.The imported American Kempo.

But alas as far as I am aware there is no such specific art, unless its a very modern one. Its simply a term used by some people.

As regards Chinese Chaun Fa taught in China that could perhaps be labelled Chinese Kempo there is:

The Chinese art Yiquan which is called Takiken in Japanese and is also known as Jissen Kempo. This is an art that could perhaps be labelled as a Chinese Kempo to ditinguish it from the American types, but there are a lot of other Chaun Fa's in Japan to which the term Chinese Kempo could be applied . You can find details of Jissen Kempo here complete with some pictures:

http://budovideos.com/shop/customer/home.php?cat=281&page=1

Their main website is here:
http://www.taikiken.org/

Hope that helps

Regards

Chris Norman

Wow, this is the most thorough and straight forward answer I have found in one place to date. I hope you found this answer to your satisfaction, MMAFighter, because in all my reading and experience, I could not add anything to this.
In fact, I normally tell people who say they study Chinese Kenpo that that's like wanting to go to Italy to get a good burrito!

[SteyrAUG]

I think it was generally agreed in the last thread of this title that
1. Kempo is simply a Japanese name for Chaun Fa or Kung Fu.
2. That the term Chinese Kempo is used by wannabe Sokes.
3. That the term is an oxymoron
4. That American styles of Kempo claim route from Mitose but many of these styles look more like karate.

Regards

Chris Norman

Absolutely correct.

Chinese Kenpo is like saying Japanese Kung Fu.

However, Parker did often use the term and I don't think I'd put him in the "wannabe" classification.

And the Kempo in Japan (ShorinJi Kempo) for example is very much Karate and NOT Chinese boxing. It is well known that Doshin So completely fictionalized his background and the idea that he was shown the secrets of Kung Fu while he served in the Japanese occupational forces is about as likely as Heinrich Himmler being taught the closely guarded secrets of the Torah by the Jews.

Mitose learned Japanese "Kempo" systems that were far removed from their Chinese boxing roots via transmission to Okinawa and then to Japan where they were tailored to Japanese tastes and most "Chinese" influences removed for racial reasons. When Okinwan martial arts were first intorduced to Japan (1920-30s) Japan was in the process of invading China / Manchuria and saw the Chinese (and all things Chinese) as inferior.

These were the Kenpo methods introduced to Hawaii years later. When Parker and others studied them much later they simply assumed someone (like Mitose) removed the "Kung Fu" and "circular" movements. They then sought to restore them to the system and calling it "Chinese Kenpo" was their way of indicating the "restored" Kenpo they were teaching.

[Gene Williams]

Absolutely correct.

Chinese Kenpo is like saying Japanese Kung Fu.

However, Parker did often use the term and I don't think I'd put him in the "wannabe" classification.

And the Kempo in Japan (ShorinJi Kempo) for example is very much Karate and NOT Chinese boxing. It is well known that Doshin So completely fictionalized his background and the idea that he was shown the secrets of Kung Fu while he served in the Japanese occupational forces is about as likely as Heinrich Himmler being taught the closely guarded secrets of the Torah by the Jews.

Mitose learned Japanese "Kempo" systems that were far removed from their Chinese boxing roots via transmission to Okinawa and then to Japan where they were tailored to Japanese tastes and most "Chinese" influences removed for racial reasons. When Okinwan martial arts were first intorduced to Japan (1920-30s) Japan was in the process of invading China / Manchuria and saw the Chinese (and all things Chinese) as inferior.

These were the Kenpo methods introduced to Hawaii years later. When Parker and others studied them much later they simply assumed someone (like Mitose) removed the "Kung Fu" and "circular" movements. They then sought to restore them to the system and calling it "Chinese Kenpo" was their way of indicating the "restored" Kenpo they were teaching.

I would put Parker in the "Wannabee" category :) I would put Mitose in the "very questionable" category...but, to quote CEB, "that's just me."

[SteyrAUG]

I would put Parker in the "Wannabee" category :) I would put Mitose in the "very questionable" category...but, to quote CEB, "that's just me."

They are founders of modern systems (like Lee, Emperado, etc.) and have documented backgrounds of study. They didn't simply make some stuff up.

Every tradition at one time was "modern."

I think the BIG ISSUE is the distinction between the "Kenpos."

There is a huge difference between the Kenpo of men like Hohan Soken and Ed Parker.

[Gene Williams]

RE: Hohan Soken/Ed Parker comment..that has to be the understatement of all time.

"Every tradition at one time was "modern." Be careful. That is a justification I hear every phony/wannabee use to justify outrageous BS. The fact is, they were NOT modern by today's terms. I have never understood the hooplah surrounding Ed Parker. I have dealt with many of his students coming to my dojo to train, I have visited a number of different EPAK schools, watched high ranking EPAK "masters" perform and, frankly, have always been disappointed if not disgusted. There is a lot documented about Mitose and his false claims. Emperado, that would be "Kajukenbo" which I class right up there with EPAK. I'm sorry, they show me nothing that I don't see done better in most Goju, Shorin, Shito ryu, or Shotokan dojo by shodan and nidan. But, that's just me. :D

[SteyrAUG]

RE: Hohan Soken/Ed Parker comment..that has to be the understatement of all time.

"Every tradition at one time was "modern." Be careful. That is a justification I hear every phony/wannabee use to justify outrageous BS. The fact is, they were NOT modern by today's terms. I have never understood the hooplah surrounding Ed Parker. I have dealt with many of his students coming to my dojo to train, I have visited a number of different EPAK schools, watched high ranking EPAK "masters" perform and, frankly, have always been disappointed if not disgusted. There is a lot documented about Mitose and his false claims. Emperado, that would be "Kajukenbo" which I class right up there with EPAK. I'm sorry, they show me nothing that I don't see done better in most Goju, Shorin, Shito ryu, or Shotokan dojo by shodan and nidan. But, that's just me. :D

Yeah I know the slippery slope of Jeet Kune Doish methods and 25 year old 10th Dans and their "new" style.

I can explain much about why Parker is so respected. He really was an innovator when it came to translating traditional methods to modern applications. While you and I can take parts of kata and adapt them to modern situations not every student is quite that astute. Parker basically did a lot of the homework for them. Also he was "right place/right time" for a LOT of other modern innovations, especially like those of Bruce Lee and being a contemporary Parker shared in that limelight.

I understand your disdain for modern eclectics but they do have a place. Additionally Parker was "sincere" in his pursuit of style (and more sincere IMO of some traditionalists like Yamaguchi and Doshin So) and perhaps that is my litmus test.

And while I am primarily a "traditionalist" and study the kata and methods of Shuri and Tomari I also study many "modern" methods.

In fact I am only a single generation removed from Ed Parker. I study with Mike Allen who is an original first generation Black Belt of Ed Parker and listed in the Ed Parker family tree of Black Belts.

I find the Kenpo system (the one I am still being taught as it existed prior to Parkers death) to be very practical and effective. While it is true that Parker spent a LOT of time rediscovering the wheel and his Kenpo isn't nearly as authentic as some of the Chinese boxing methods I've studied.

But that said he is also a LONG WAY from a guy with a couple years of TKD and MMA who "Jeet Kune Do'ed" himself a new system.

[Gene Williams]

Well, I am basing much of what I say on actually watching his black belts and having quite a few from several different dojo come to my dojo as visitors and want to train. Plus, everything about Parker screamed, "Look at me!" Most of what I see them do is a lot of rapid fire techniques in the air with no focus and no power against a non resisting opponent. I've seen Parker on tape and I have shodan that do better kicks and have more focus. Sorry. The proof is in the pudding. But, I do notice that most of the EPAK schools are close knit groups and seem to have a lot of fun :) There are also some pretty women.

[SteyrAUG]

Well, I am basing much of what I say on actually watching his black belts and having quite a few from several different dojo come to my dojo as visitors and want to train. Plus, everything about Parker screamed, "Look at me!" Most of what I see them do is a lot of rapid fire techniques in the air with no focus and no power against a non resisting opponent. I've seen Parker on tape and I have shodan that do better kicks and have more focus. Sorry. The proof is in the pudding. But, I do notice that most of the EPAK schools are close knit groups and seem to have a lot of fun :) There are also some pretty women.


I've encountered Shorin students who suck, hardly the fault of Shorin.

And Parker was no Bruce Lee when it came to ability, that is for sure.

Also remember in the 80s "Parker Kenpo" was a flavor of the month and all those people are hundredth degree super duper grand masters by now.

In 20 years people will be denigrating Krav Maga because of all the super awesome 100th degree grand masters of that style which are sure to be walking around.

If you ever get the opportunity, investigate the actual techniques. you can pretty much ignore the "forms" as they are elementary and more correctly exercises than kata. But I think you will find the fighting methods to be of merit.

[Gene Williams]

I have a good idea...let's drop it and talk about stuff we can agree on. We have enough in common not to argue about EPAK. :)

[jwinch2]

I have a good idea...let's drop it and talk about stuff we can agree on. We have enough in common not to argue about EPAK. :)

Who are you and what have you done with Gene?
:laugh: :laugh:

[Gene Williams]

Who are you and what have you done with Gene?
:laugh: :laugh:

Well, sometimes you get tired of the same old battles :bow:

[jwinch2]

Well, sometimes you get tired of the same old battles :bow:

Fair enough!
:)

[TonyU]

Who are you and what have you done with Gene?
:laugh: :laugh:
:laugh: :laugh:
Gene, I see you are finally taking that medication prescribed to you.

[Hualin Mantis]

I've done a bit of Kenpo back in the 70's and 80's (a few different flavors) and I found it to be good fighting oriented style. The schools I attended were not quite as stuffy as the Shotokan and TKD I did. Maybe I'm biased because that's where I started my MA journey.

I'm not a purists so if it's works in a street scuffle that's good enough for me. BTW, I heard from a cousin I believe of Parkers that said when he heard someone was a good fighter he would go knock on their door and ask for a match. Anyone if that's true?

[TonyU]

I've encountered Shorin students who suck, hardly the fault of Shorin.


Hey! How did Shorin get pulled into this. You could have said Shito instead. ;)

[rgoad]

I have no dog in this, but the main comment I have about the EPAK people I know is that they are required to know an incredible amount of kata and forms, self defenses and other stuff. The Ni-dan and San-Dan I know have these HUGE books full of stuff they have to know and can call out the number or name and bust the move right there.

At least THAT is impressive.

[Gene Williams]

I have no dog in this, but the main comment I have about the EPAK people I know is that they are required to know an incredible amount of kata and forms, self defenses and other stuff. The Ni-dan and San-Dan I know have these HUGE books full of stuff they have to know and can call out the number or name and bust the move right there.

At least THAT is impressive.

No, a book full of crap is still a book full of crap...NOW, I was supposed to behave. Dennis Monk jumped on somebody the other day for "style bashing" and I don't want him on my ***. :nono:

[Cliff Hargrave]

That's ok, Dennis has no style.


Oh wait, I mean he isn't training presently in a specific style. Unless bouncing prisoners on concrete gives belt ranks.

[Gene Williams]

I approve of bouncing prisoners on concrete :) I would prefer they bounce on the concrete street after a hail of police or armed citizen gunfire :)

[rgoad]

Dennis Monk jumped on somebody the other day for "style bashing" and I don't want him on my *** Yeah, he looks big.
I guess I always try to look on the bright side. What I can't get into is the Post Modern "If it makes you happy to study that, then I'm happy for you!" followed by a brainless smile.

The history thing is interesting to me, as you know. But it seems to get into politics and jingoism quickly. Why can't we all just get along? (He asked in a martial arts forum dedicated to the study of 5000 years of fighting tradition). I guess some hard questions need to be asked.

[Gene Williams]

Yeah, he looks big.
I guess I always try to look on the bright side. What I can't get into is the Post Modern "If it makes you happy to study that, then I'm happy for you!" followed by a brainless smile.

The history thing is interesting to me, as you know. But it seems to get into politics and jingoism quickly. Why can't we all just get along? (He asked in a martial arts forum dedicated to the study of 5000 years of fighting tradition). I guess some hard questions need to be asked.

Hard Questions:
1) What is the square root of 119?
2) What was the name of the theatre company for which William Shakespeare
wrote and acted?
3) What was the basis for Immanuel Kant's ethics? (2 words)
4)What did General George Marshall say at the beginning of WWII during a planning meeting when asked, "What about the press?"
5)What is the formula for finding the area of an octagon? :)

[rgoad]

1) Prime Number! Vandy. Huh
2) Globe
3) Social Contract?
4) S**** the press (guess)
5) Lets see. The square of the width of the octagon minus the square of the legth of one side of the octagon. (I'm figuring this out in my head).

[Gene Williams]

1. Very good!
2. The Lord Chamberlain's Men
3. Categorical Imperative
4."The press? Hell, tell 'em when its over and who won."
5. AP/2

R. Goad: F :laugh:

[rgoad]

I want open book!

[Gene Williams]

..................

[rgoad]

Not enough pictures

[Gene Williams]

..................

[jjaje]

Wow, I go and practice some kenpo - come back and this forum has had more threads in the last couple hours than it's had all year.

Gene, since you discount Mitose, it makes sense that you would also need to discount everybody under him as well, including Ed Parker, William Chow...

I'll be the first to admit Kenpo is not a traditional martial art, even though some people want to talk about Kenpo as if it were. In my opinion, one requirement to be traditional, an art must survive intact and mostly unchanged for multiple generations. However, looking at the Kenpo explosion (EPAK, KKAA, IKKA, American Kenpo...) one can see that although many different kenpo styles trace themselves to the same person (Chow and Mitose) they are quite different in their coursework, and it's only one generation after Ed Parker.

However, I wouldn't throw the baby out with the bath water. There are enough quality martial artisit who trained directly with Ed Parker who claim he was the real deal. I think you can see "bad" kenpo people, just like you can see bad TKD people, or for that matter bad Japanese/Okinawa stylists all the time. Just because my son received a first place in kata and scored 13 points vs 3 in a two minute continuous sparring round against a japanese stylist doesn't mean I automatically discount all Japanese styles or stylists. :)

However, just because it is not a traditional art does not mean it is inferior for self defense. Or at least don't tell that to the corrections officers, police officers and casino security I know and train with that have been successfully using their kenpo training for real, for years.

I do think a lot of the franchising was bad for Kenpo as a whole. Just like many schools today add MMA to their curriculum, even though they may not be so good at it, they are trying to ride the popularity wave. I believe a similar thing happened a couple decades ago with Kenpo. People were franchising it in areas but were not completely proficient in it yet.

Just like anything else, it's important to find good instruction and good people.

[SteyrAUG]

No, a book full of crap is still a book full of crap...NOW, I was supposed to behave. Dennis Monk jumped on somebody the other day for "style bashing" and I don't want him on my ***. :nono:

Don't make me get all "Jeff Speakman" on you. I have the music all queued up and everything. One more word and I'm gonna go all "perfect weapon" on you.

"I have the power..."


:laugh:

[Gene Williams]

Don't make me get all "Jeff Speakman" on you. I have the music all queued up and everything. One more word and I'm gonna go all "perfect weapon" on you.

"I have the power..."


:laugh:

NO, NO, please, anything but that...however, if you should resort to such a nuclear option... :up: I will counter with 12 HOURS STRAIGHT OF CINDY ROTHROCK MOVIES!!!!! :laugh: :laugh:

[jjaje]

NO, NO, please, anything but that...however, if you should resort to such a nuclear option... :up: I will counter with 12 HOURS STRAIGHT OF CINDY ROTHROCK MOVIES!!!!! :laugh: :laugh:

Eww - bad visual there. I didnt even know she made enough movies to fill 12 hours worth.

[Gene Williams]

I mean the same ones over and over and over...heh,heh,heh :D

[sean_stonehart]

Her movies are awful... her assets though are worth the suffering of video... :up:

[Gene Williams]

Her movies are awful... her assets though are worth the suffering of video... :up:

Only if her assets in my lap :D

[sean_stonehart]

That works just as well... :D

[DragonMind]

Cindy is a dog, give me Kelly Hu any day.

[Gene Williams]

Too skinny....

[rgoad]

Female Sumo

[Gene Williams]

My God!! There is a happy medium :o

[sean_stonehart]

Cindy is a dog, give me Kelly Hu any day.

Nah... she's got hips & all. Plus she actually studied a real CMA a long time ago prior to schilling for USSD.

Kelly is very attractive but needs a little more meat on the bones. She could use walking up to the buffet once & a while IMHO.

[sean_stonehart]

My God!! There is a happy medium :o

Gene... I know you can't be referring to the sumotori. There's nothing happy or medium about the person in that pic!!!! :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

[rgoad]

There's nothing happy or medium about the person in that pic Right you are, Sean. THAT"S commitment!

[Gene Williams]

Right you are, Sean. THAT"S commitment!

You missed the inflection, as in: "My GOD!! There should be a happy medium."

[sean_stonehart]

*whew* Thank God... I thought you might've been suffering from single Malt poisoning & not in control of your eyes. Glad to see I was mistaken!! :D

[Gene Williams]

Something like this:

[CEB]

Remember what happened at e-budo the last time you posted a picture of Ms. Barbeau :laugh:

[Gene Williams]

Remember what happened at e-budo the last time you posted a picture of Ms. Barbeau :laugh:

Yeah, but she was nude then :D

How about this:

[rgoad]

This is a joke.

[Gene Williams]

Or, of course, this one:

[sean_stonehart]

Yeah, but she was nude then :D

How about this:

Not so bad for an older one...

[sean_stonehart]

I'm thinking more like this...

http://www.catherinebellonline.com/img/viewing/see1_thmb1.jpg

or this...

http://uplink.space.com/attachments/184902-teyla01.jpg

[Gene Williams]

Now, here's a nice one: If we keep this up, somebody is gonna' get in trouble with Robert. ;)

[sean_stonehart]

Gene... we're in Ga... not Northern Bama... :o

[Gene Williams]

Gene... we're in Ga... not Northern Bama... :o

That's right, Ga. I forgot :)

[CEB]

That cow is so old she has no upper teeth. :)

[Gene Williams]

Hubba, hubba! We weren't interested in her teeth. :D But, since you prefer that young stuff:

[rgoad]

Gene's milking it for all he can.

BTW, Sean, I think I've found my new avatar. Who's the chick in the gray shirt?

[Gene Williams]

Now, see...start talking about livestock and Richard starts thinking about girls.

[SteyrAUG]

NO, NO, please, anything but that...however, if you should resort to such a nuclear option... :up: I will counter with 12 HOURS STRAIGHT OF CINDY ROTHROCK MOVIES!!!!! :laugh: :laugh:

Basic human consideration forces me to warn you I have a complete library that includes Bruce Li, Sho Kosugi and James Ryan movies.

And if that isn't enough...I can restort to the "final option" an uneditted "The Master" starring Lee Van Cleef and Timothy Van Patten.

[Gene Williams]

Alright, then, for you I have a secret weapon. Imagine yourself locked in a room, no alcohol, it is pitch dark...suddenly a screen lights up, you hear the music and these words, "For the next 24 hours you will be forced to watch the following shows. Your next of kin have been notified in the event you do not survive. If you should survive, a room in the "Institute for Unrepentant Karate Movie Junkies" has been reserved for you." Then...POWER RANGERS!!!!!

[jjaje]

You guys keep this up and some TV network bigwig will stumble across it. He's going to see how much fun you are having and he's going to make a karate with the stars reality show.

Yes, Ralph Macchio will play the role of host. Washed up stars who once did a little martial arts (or at least pretended to on TV) will come out of "retirement" to "put that belt back on" and kick some behind.

Gil Gerard, who had a mean round kick in Buck Rogers, will team up with Bin Furuya, the man in the Ultraman costume.

However, will they be able to defeat the team up of Jaclyn Smith, who had some nasty karate chops and judo throws in Charlies Angels, and Judie Aronson (who was the chick love interest in American Ninja - so you know she learned some real ultimate power via close contact osmosis)

Yes - coming to Fox this fall - Dancing with the stars, skating with the stars and now Karate with the Stars.

[Gene Williams]

You guys keep this up and some TV network bigwig will stumble across it. He's going to see how much fun you are having and he's going to make a karate with the stars reality show.

Yes, Ralph Macchio will play the role of host. Washed up stars who once did a little martial arts (or at least pretended to on TV) will come out of "retirement" to "put that belt back on" and kick some behind.

Gil Gerard, who had a mean round kick in Buck Rogers, will team up with Bin Furuya, the man in the Ultraman costume.

However, will they be able to defeat the team up of Jaclyn Smith, who had some nasty karate chops and judo throws in Charlies Angels, and Judie Aronson (who was the chick love interest in American Ninja - so you know she learned some real ultimate power via close contact osmosis)

Yes - coming to Fox this fall - Dancing with the stars, skating with the stars and now Karate with the Stars.

Jeff, You know way too much about these people and shows. :D

[SteyrAUG]

You guys keep this up and some TV network bigwig will stumble across it. He's going to see how much fun you are having and he's going to make a karate with the stars reality show.

Yes, Ralph Macchio will play the role of host. Washed up stars who once did a little martial arts (or at least pretended to on TV) will come out of "retirement" to "put that belt back on" and kick some behind.

Gil Gerard, who had a mean round kick in Buck Rogers, will team up with Bin Furuya, the man in the Ultraman costume.

However, will they be able to defeat the team up of Jaclyn Smith, who had some nasty karate chops and judo throws in Charlies Angels, and Judie Aronson (who was the chick love interest in American Ninja - so you know she learned some real ultimate power via close contact osmosis)

Yes - coming to Fox this fall - Dancing with the stars, skating with the stars and now Karate with the Stars.


Danny Bonaduce

:D

[Gene Williams]

Alright, Meadows, that last little Danny Bonaduce comment did it! Meet me in the town square at noon...yeah, that's right, and bring all those fancy firearms you like so much. You won't have a prayer...I'm bringing..."New Kids on the Block." :grins:

[sean_stonehart]

Richard... her name is Rachel Luttrell. She's on "Stargate: Atlantis" on Sci-Fi.

[rgoad]

A Major act of omission on my part. Now I need to get cable.. :(
I'll put her next to my T'Pol Poster.

[SteyrAUG]

Alright, Meadows, that last little Danny Bonaduce comment did it! Meet me in the town square at noon...yeah, that's right, and bring all those fancy firearms you like so much. You won't have a prayer...I'm bringing..."New Kids on the Block." :grins:


I'm bringing old episodes of "CHiPs" guest starring Danny Bonaduce. :laugh:

[Gene Williams]

Two words: "The Osmonds" :D

[jjaje]

Jeff, You know way too much about these people and shows. :D

Wait till you see their kata done to music from the 80's

Imagine Naihanchi done to Kenny Loggins "Foot Loose"

Bassai done to "I Need a Hero"

[Gene Williams]

I have actually seen Kushanku done to the theme from Superman :D

[SteyrAUG]

Two words: "The Osmonds" :D

You really think you will survive The Captain and Tenille?

http://www.tvacres.com/images/dogs_tennille2.jpg

Muskrat Love. :eek:

[Gene Williams]

You really think you will survive The Captain and Tenille?

http://www.tvacres.com/images/dogs_tennille2.jpg

Muskrat Love. :eek:

I didn't think we were allowed to post pornography on Budoseek :o

[jstreet]

Is there anyone here currently taking Chinese Kenpo? We have a school here in Austin, TX.

http://www.austinkenpokarate.com/kenpo_belts.html

When you click on each belt on this site it tells you what is required to advance to the next level. Can anyone take a quick look at this and see how this differs from American Kenpo? I am new to MA'S and may consider this school.

Thanks in Advance.

[Southwell]

Hi Jon, in American Kenpo we have 154 techs from white to Black, on your website I counted 97 that was from EPAK the others I didn't know. Now saying that, don't get me wrong they may be very good techs but not from American Kenpo as I know it. Actually looking back some of them may be from the Tracy's system, check out a Tracy Kenpo site and look at their techs, hope this helps.

[jjaje]

Based on the names, there is very little overlap with the Tracy's system either.

A list of their techniques is found below.
http://www.tracyskenpocc.com/techniques.php

[jstreet]

Thanks for the responses. I am considering this school as well as two other Kung-Fu schools. If anyone here has studied both Karate and Kung-Fu, please let me know what the differences are in your opinions. My goal is to get in better shape, become proficient in the art/understand the philosophy of wanting this to be a part of your every day life, and obviously self-defense.
Chinese Karate is still a mystery for me, is it more like Karate or Kung-Fu?

[jjaje]

Using the term Chinese Kenpo or Chinese Karate to me is like saying German Pizza or Italian Schnitzel.

I think there are Kenpo styles out there that have some Chinese influences, but are not pure Chinese in origin. Certainly the web page you referred to had belt requirements listed as Jiu Jitsu techniques, besides the Kenpo techniques, which in theory came from American Kenpo and would have strong Japanese influences.

What I'm trying to say is don't get too hung up on the name or term "Chinese Kenpo" but rather ask yourself "Is this instructor the first guy I'd pick to be on my side in a fight?"

[jstreet]

After doing more research I found this response to the same question.

""""When I first took Kenpo in 1972, it was called Chinese Kenpo. It was Ed Parker's Kenpo with many of the same techniques (or very similar ones) and forms as outlined in Infinite Insights vol. 5. At that time there were also other techniques that were later removed or altered by Mr. Parker. My understanding is that today's Tracy system is quite similar to what was called Chinese Kenpo back then.

in the early 1960's, Mr. Parker researched several Chinese systems, which he combined with what he'd learned from Prof. Chow and called that combination Chinese Kenpo. When he later re-organized his system, he wanted to emphasize the distinclty American slant he put on it and then he called it American Kenpo.

I think one prominent Kenpoist who still adheres to much of the Chinese Kenpo system is Mr. LaBounty.""""""""""


I guess that is about as good of an explanation as you will find. It still comes down to who would you want on your side in a fight. The more research I do, the more it seems to be about the instructor and not necessarily the style.