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

American Kenpo is a system of martial arts developed in the twentieth century by Ed Parker. Although Kenpo has its roots in ancient China, Parker worked to both modernize and Americanize the sport to be a viable source of self-defense and exercise for Americans today. The result is a blend of the circular movements used in Chinese Kung Fu with the linear movements used in Japanese martial arts. It has been established as an art as well as a system for self-defense, known for incorporating logic and the disciplines of mathematics, physics, physiology and kinesiology in its movements.

As a system that teaches self-control and self-respect, there are a plethora of benefits to becoming involved in American Kenpo; individuals practicing the sport will become physically fit, increase their stamina and reduce stress and tension.

It’s a sport that almost anyone could pick up—most people already use movements associated with Kenpo in their everyday lives without even realizing it. The sport has been known to attract all walks of life—from firefighters and professional athletes to homemakers and accountants. Even children can pick it up as a way to learn self-discipline and confidence.

For those looking to rise through the ranks and become a pro, there will be a few hoops they’ll have to jump through first. American Kenpo uses a basic belt system consisting of White, Yellow, Orange, Purple, Blue, Green, Third Brown, Second Brown, First Brown, and First through Tenth Black.

There are teaching centers across the country helping individuals master the art of American Kenpo; just search online for a site near you.

The History of Kenpo

Kenpo originated with the Shaolin monks in China and from there  the martial art form flourished in neighboring Japan. Nowadays you can find Kenpo communities in China, Japan, and America.    There is some dispute as to what individual actually introduced Kenpo to individuals living in the U.S.

It is widely believed that, Kiyoka Komatsu began training a small group of individuals in the martial art style in the 1920’s, which at that time was termed Kenpo-Jiu-Jitsu. Kenpo slowly began to spread across the states and in 1940 the style was renamed Kenpo Karate.  Eastern Kenpo teachers focus as much on obtaining a spiritual goal as a physical one. Ed Parker who trained under one of the individuals that received their training from Komatsu, is known as the father of American Kenpo, which differs a bit in style from traditional Kenpo in that it is more sports oriented and less ground in eastern spirituality. The American Kenpo Senior Council is an organization dedicated to perpetuating this martial art within the U.S. as well as increasing the amount of Kenpo masters within the U.S. Borders via training opportunities.

Kenpo Techniques

There are actually a melody of techniques that are involved in Kenpo. One of the most distinguishing aspects of the technique is the placement of emphasis on using the hands, feet, elbows, and knees to take down an opponent with a rapid series of blows. Individuals that are trained in this form can go through the ranks of belts that begin with white and going continue through 10th level black belt. American Kenpo or Kenpo Karate is an interesting martial art form with a rich historical past.