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American Kenpo (aka Kenpo Karate) has been around since the late 1940s. It is a martial arts technique that employs quick, moves delivered very rapidly. It consists of more than 700 separate and distinct self-defense techniques, blocks and 72 kicks. The intention is to overwhelm the opponent.
Edmund K. Parker
William Chow taught Edmund Parker the art of Kenpo. Edmund Parker made refinements to the methods, theories and concepts of Kenpo and is now considered the creator of American Kenpo.
He passed away in 1990 and left no successor.
American Kenpo, as Parker developed it, became a blend and crossover of other martial arts philosophies:
• Chinese Arts such as Hung Gar and Choy Li Fut influenced what became American Kenpo.
• In a book published in 1960, Parker’s Kenpo incorporated the use of smooth linear and circular movements heavily influenced by the Japanese practice of martial arts.
• In American Kenpo, Parker began eliminating all Asian language elements and some of the Asian traditions. Instead, he used American English. His techniques transitioned from Chinese and Japanese to his own favored forms and methods.
Famous American Kenpo Practitioners
In addition to Elvis Presley, probably Ed Parker’s most famous student, Edmund Parker trained such well known personalities as Robert Wagner, George Hamilton, Warren Beatty, Robert Culp and Blake Edwards.
Parker also wrote several books including “The Zen of Kenpo” and the “Encyclopedia of Kenpo”. He acted as a martial arts advisor on many movies and television programs and published a rule booklet for karate competitions.
Today, there are Ed Parker schools and affiliates all throughout the United States and internationally in Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Africa and may other countries.
The Belt System
Diferent martial arts use different designations. The American Kenpo uses a belt system consisting of:
• White, Yellow, Orange, Purple, Blue, Green
• First, Second and Third Brown
• First through Tenth Black
