I studied Kenpo in the 70s. I fell in Love with it. I used it throughout my law enforcement career. It never failed me. Thank you Mr Parker. I never had the need to shoot anyone because I was very well trained in Kenpo Karate.
Hey, I just wanted to let you know if you are still a Police officer out there!! Thank you for doing what you do!! I know its not easy!! I am not an officer, but I do teach Kenpo as well, Keep on training and Be Careful out there!! and thank you again!!
I met Mr. Parker several times in 1989 and 1990. His seminars were absolutely packed with useful information, wonderful stories, memorable anecdotes and his distinctive personality. He seemed like a force of nature. Full of explosive power that could be frightening to the uninitiated, which I was at the time. Yet he was also kind and really cared that you understood what he was teaching. Mr. Parker was a gifted teacher and a natural story teller which worked well to disguise the brutal street fighter that was just beneath the surface of his civility. His seminars were an experience that recordings just cannot capture. To be in the man's presence was something special even if you were not a student of the martial arts.
I've done trained in a ton of different schools and different styles. My best experience ever was with George Calvillo in North Hollywood, CA. Amazing teacher and mentor. I'm old and broken now, but he made me a badass back in the day.
I started learning American Kenpo Karate in 1999 in Spokane, Washington and continued learning 2 1/2 years. I feel the training of self discipline, self defense and respect are invaluable lessons. Kenpo is a great tool to teach kids to feel safe as well as give them a sense of accomplishment. I know that's what it did me. I am not a black-belt. This video makes me feel a few certain ways. The realization that our Art needs preserving has been the final brick in my decision to pledge myself to the Art on a broader scale then before. Also, I do believe all Kenpo practitioners are brothers in a physical sense, that is to say the mechanics of the Art but we must always remember who started it and who passed down this legacy. None other than Mr. Edmund K. Parker himself. I feel Parker is the only 10th degree black-belt and we should honor him in our journey. Thanks for posting!
Im not a kenpo practitioner but ever since I was a young teen reading black belt inside Kung Fu kick Illustrated and karate Illustrated magazines I always had an admiration for the system and its many lineages and would have been a practitioner had there been a school in my area... but over the years I have met many proficient Kenpo practitioners and in my opinion it is one of the most practical styles out there and like the video says do not judge the art on the demonstrations that are presented the public .... one of my former classmates at the Filipino martial arts schools I used to attend in Long Island New York was very good in boxing and Kenpo and was a well-respected person in his other profession as a doorman at some pretty seedy clubs in the New York-New Jersey area and its wasnt because of his fighting skill but his diplomatic approach which was respectful but very no nonsense at the same time... truly the style that is presented here is something Americans can be proud of calling their own .
Being the martial arts nerd I always was as a kid, I immediately recognized him in that movie. My friends, who weren't into martial arts at all, just thought I was weird for pointing out some random guy in the middle of the movie. LOL
Kenpo is one of the best arts I ever studied it was a blessing to learn such a great discipline , im also a philipino martial art instructor and Indonesian silat martial art instructor and there are so many similarities in these arts we're all blessed with the ability to learn learn all you can build off them all cuz they all will compliment each other and like my great grandmaster Ramiro says its none of my business what people think of me or my art , all I can say is enjoy learning its a blessing from god enjoy the ride and Godbless , Master Ed of Estallila Kabaroan Eskrima
I don’t study this style, but I practice Shotokan Karate and Wing Chun. It is interesting to learn about different styles and how they apply techniques compared to someone else. By the way, if you play fighting games, Paul Phoenix in the Tekken series uses a combination of Kenpo and Judo. The devs at Namco might have been inspired
I studied "Kenpo" at, what seems to be, an awkward time in Kenpo's development. This was 1985. I had two instructors. Both had just received their black belts and they decided to form a "new" martial art that was essentially Kenpo with a side of Taekwondo. Having stayed with it for two years, they definitely taught us how to fight, but they did not teach any methodology from Kenpo or Taekwondo. When I look back and try to remember all that I was taught, the only "Kenpo" I can derive from it was the Finger "Kata." Which was a series of finger strikes. Also, Form 1 and Form 2 were taught. The style of fighting was more like boxing. Right cross, Jabs, hooks, uppercuts, front kick, side kick, round house. Adding to that we had what was called the ridge-hand. A knife-hand strike to the temple. We had what he called a backfist, a horizontal smack to the side of the head with the back of your knuckles. Advanced strikes were two-finger strike to the eyes, and what he called, "The Bear Claw." It was a cupped hand strike to the ear, then form your fingers into a four-knuckle punch and pull back, ripping off the ear. They focused most on speed. However, they didn't discourage hitting your fellow students, but they did want to teach control. So many times we were instructed to stop all attacks within an inch. WE did this over and over and over to the point where we could all execute with precision; which later got me in trouble when I studied Wado Ryu and they told me I wasn't allowed to have that level of control at my belt level (whatever the F*** that means.) Speaking with other Kenpo practitioners, I feel like I lost out on some great knowledge. Can I defend myself? Yes. But did I understand all the movements and motions? No; not at that time anyway. Oddly enough, practicing everything I had learned over the course of 25 years, I have since followed Ed Parker's philosophy without ever having been taught it; taking apart technique, figuring out how they worked and perhaps how to execute them faster, better, etc. Like life, martial arts is forever changing, evolving.
We had a finger kata like that. It was, double lapel defense, cross hands up through the arms, pivot on back foot as you strike open their grab, bowing in on fore leg,then while alternating pivots and hands it goes, right/straight fingers/eye-right parry, left shudo/nose-right parry, right 4 fin./ Eye gouge-left parry, left hammer fist/groin-right parry then cover back.😅
Anyone watching this in San Antonio, TX and is interested in learning Kempo, there are several options. *Sifu Swan (National Chinese Kenpo Karate Association) *Sensei Juan (Kara-Ho Kempo) (My Teacher) *KOA Kenpo (HYPER(?) Kenpo) *Kenpo 5.0 *Hanshi Juchnik said there are teachers of Kosho-Ryu Kenpo in the area as well. Hit me up and I can help you look or introduce you to my Sensei!
As a martial arts practitioner with mixed Chinese and Japanese heritage, I’d like to provide another layer of clarification to the name Kenpo/Kempo. The full name is 拳步法 and is pronounced Kuen-Bo Fat in Cantonese and Quanbufa in Mandarin, which means Fist Foot methods, law, or ideas. Those who studied the Chinese language may have learned that Old or Classical Chinese sounds more like Cantonese as opposed to Mandarin, which is a modern language. Most of the Japanese Kanji pronunciation was based on Old Chinese. So Kuen-Bo became Kempo and the Fat or Law was dropped.
@@samiibrahim5356 Thank you for the acknowledgment. I was trained in Peng Nan Wing Chun from Foshan by my late father. People from Foshan speak Cantonese so not only did I learn the arts, but I also learn the history of the arts in its original language. In addition to Peng Nan Wing Chun, I also learned Kenpo, TKD, JKD, and Qinna.
I was involved with Kenpo Karate in the 1980's at Tracy's Karate, I took this up as a 250 Lb. kid who did not like any sports, next thing I knew I was 132 Lbs. I learned self-confidence, character, had great instructors, and just like this video displays, there was no certain way to stick to "one way" to defend one's self, we were taught the general information, and our minds were allowed to expand on those techniques. It was obvious that relaxed mindful mechanics became a part of the mind and soul. As I end my comments, I must say that this has been one of the best video series I have ever watched, thank you for this production!
I remember Master Parker visiting our studio in Menlo Park California in 1967. It was Tracy's Studios back then. He was so smooth and humble, but he was so fast and accurate. I was a "colored" belt and invited to his class. One phrase he spoke that never left me, "No matter how bad you think you are, there is always going to be someone badder". This stuck with me to today, and I'm 69 years old. It has allowed me to move through adversaries who thought they were the baddest. I have always been calm before the storm. Senise Parker taught some terrific lessons...`
I studied under Mitose's student, Kosho Shorei Kenpo. I appreciate that you mentioned Mr. Parkers master. I also appreciate recognizing the nonsense of politics. Keep Kenpo Alive!
I don't study kenpo, but I always admired the system. Now I admire it even more!! Many important lessons that other teachers can learn by following master Parker's example. Thank you for posting this!
Great job on the video. My father and Ed Parker were friends and attended BYU together. My dad became one of his first black belts. My brother Tim also studied Kenpo for close to 40 years and received his black belt and degrees from Mr. Parker. Thank you for the video.
I have four black belts: BJJ; Judo; TKD; and Kenpo. Kenpo was a fantastic base for me and one of my first loves. I still use some of the concepts in teaching.
I took some students to an American Kenpo tournament 2 weeks ago. The organizers are long time friends and have supported my tournament. My students didn't understand the self-defense portion. Had to explain to them. This is one of the things I love about being a martial artist; associating with fellow practitioners from different styles.
Thank you Mr. Dan, because of this channel I started my training again after 20 years of being out of it. All these videos helped shaping my decision on the form I wanted to study, I was in Taekwondo and became red belt in my late teen years before I went into the Army. I am training with Immortal Tiger Kenpo Karate, it is Shaolin Kenpo that was formed under Great Grandmaster Ralph Castro. I just wanted to thank you, how much I appreciate this channel, and you have a life long viewer from this point moving forward.
Thanks for the history of American Kenpo. Always loved and respect this art. Mr Parker pretty much gave Bruce Lee the chance to show his stuff to a wide audience when he was virtually unknown in the USA. As a Jeet Kune Do instructor I personally will always be grateful and have extra respect for this form of Karate. Thanks
Cleveland Stamps well I don't know that's an interesting comparison Kung Fu and Kenpo Karate. Well Jeet Kune do kind of took its own steps but all in one process ... and I've met my fair share of good Kenpo Karate instructors, I think the style suffers from an innate weirdness. Karate is a style that sent itself in a search to use the most reduced minimalist style possible coming from Kung Fu so the purpose was to take out anything that was innately complex that you really just didn't need for instance cross blocks are in Nate Lee complex you have to sort of have a doctorate and how the human body works to pull off good cross blocks because a lot of grappling and striking Concepts start coming to play if you do that so karate will prefer hopefully not using cross blocks and less in a very simple way to the whole goal was to simplify anything that took a long time to be rewarded but also simplify things that were just not necessarily necessary at all. I can see how someone that liked JKD would appreciate that me I'm more of a Kung Fu fan. Anyways so let's be honest that's what karate is it's the whole idea of minimalizing kung fu to the basics that really started kung fu and put just the things that are necessary the things that I might have complexity to them but can be done with simplicity. Fast forward to Kenpo now Kenpo is a very artistic style of karate where you have specific multiple-hit counters and attacks. While I have appreciation for their work when they created it one of the things that I find a disconnect in is the soft subtlety of kung fu where it adapts and it lives and changes and can do multiple things at once and is intelligent if you understand it on a complex level and high-level that even most teachers seem to forget or never even learned ... Well that's Kung Fu you don't have to do things in a hard concrete way it's adaptive ... Kenpo Karate comes from a style that took all of that out and then they put it back in but when they put it back in it seems we rehearsed and choreographed something that's hard and unchanging it doesn't seem to be based on the differences in energy and bodies and movement and timing it just sort of continues its effort a long a predestined path. Now it's true that kung fu is a soft art and karate is a hardstyle but that's sort of the effect that took place so I feel like they took out the complexity and put it back in but the intelligence of kung fu is lost and sort of a predetermined attack of Kenpo. That said I've known excellent Kenpo teachers they were just really bad Ruff and Tuff great martial arts teachers they were fantastic they knew everything about every martial art they were wonderful teachers and you have to respect them their heart and their knowledge is wonderful. But I always found a disconnect in the whole idea of karate is to be sort of a reduction or a minimal style and then you take that reduction or minimal styling you add complexity into it again for totally different effect. That's like taking bjj and saying you want to simplify it, then you make some simple self defense style. Then go from that back into catch wrestling. Then you're like, what just happened?
I started out studying Shotokan. I enjoyed it and there is great value in the traditional arts. But, when I moved to kenpo 15 years ago it opened my eyes. Economy of motion, controlling the height, width, and depth of your opponent, the study of movement and the human body....man just great stuff. I was a bouncer for a while and it was always kenpo I used when I needed to defend myself. Quick and efficient.
I was given a 6 month set of lessons while deployed while in the military from one of Mr. Parkers former one on one students. After being taught, I realized that I hadn't learned much of 3 different styles of Martial arts I had studied before as a child and young adult. I merely combined and refined and added smooth fluid economical motion with purpose. As Bruce Lee said, be water, my friends. American Kempo has served me well twice since learning. I only wish there was a school close by so I could advance and practice with like-minded people. I miss my sensei.
I started in 1988 under Ben Cohen. I studied Kenpo for 5 years. The things I learned are forever in my head and have served me well to keep me out of plenty of fights, and come out unharmed in the ones I couldn’t avoid. Mr. Cohen is a great man who studied with Mr. Parker. There were lots of cool stories in our dojo. Good times.
It was so nice to see Michael Pick in this video. I studied with him briefly in the late 80's when he was in the Phoenix area. What a wonderful man and the toughest person I've met to date in all my martial arts training bar none.
The other branch from the tree of Kempo is what is on the East Coast, it was founded by Senior Grand Master George Pesare. Many groups have branched off from his system if you were to count them all there are thousands of black belts under his lineage
Thank you for covering this. I have earned a purple belt under Shihan Terry Rich in North Carolina. He teaches and often tells of his interactions with Senior Grand Master Parker. Professor Rich incorporates the 22 concepts (the 22nd is to apply the 21) and is continuously developing himself and often describes how he has used the techniques in his every day job as a Deputy in Sampson County; this practical application has helped him better articulate the concepts and he has shared that knowledge. It has been an honor to train with him. Through Professor Rich, I have had the privilege of meeting, and being hit by, Grandmaster Mike Pick. I am looking forward to your continuation of this series.
I started kenpo last year and its just a great style of karate. Wish i could have met the man. And its great to be taught by world champion Roy Macdonald 😁
I started Kenpo from age 7 till 14 achieving brown belt. They didn't award black belts to anyone under 18 at the time. Great times. I continued with martial arts till now for another 32 years, but never returned to Kenpo, though I considered it for awhile (long story). Kenpo was an important part of my life.
I, at 5'2" and slim bones, began learning tracy Kenpo and taught for them up to black belt. I then learned Ed Parker Amrican Kenpo. I've used Kenpo 7 times in my wild single life, over a period of fifteen years. Each time I was shocked to find that only one move or strike knocked the guy down and that was it! Kenpo is great on the street, regardless of your size, as long as you practice. I've taught adults for fifty years. Over that time I've added things to American Kenpo to make it more efficient. I added ground techs to get up off the ground, I slowly created more effective techniqeus up to 10th black. Added 50 ground techniques to get "off" the ground and back onto your feet, where you belong. I made more short stick techniques and joint locks. Even at age 76 I still move fast and nimble, because I've been training for so long., I do it for exercise because it helps me move like a young person. But I still a couple of adults privately at my home matted studio in Puyallup, WA Yours in AKJ-American Kenpo, Sifu 10th degree black.
In my area, when I was looking for a practical martial system, Kempo (IKCA, IKKA, AKKS), of any variety, is extremely hard to find or doesn't match my work / college schedule. The only two schools are: a American Bujutsu Kempo / Hawaiian Kempo Jujitsu school and a ICKA Kempo Karate school. Neither one fit my schedule, for the moment. Most of the other Kempo schools (A Tracy school and a IKKA Parker school) have closed up shop (and then moved out of state) or are teaching out of non-traditional locations, others are teaching little know disciplines. In my area, if it isn't Knockdown Karate / Kyokushinkaikan, American Kickboxing, 'Muay Thai' (which is really Dutch Style kickboxing, in this area), Wrestling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, then it's either losing practitioners or dying, be it slowly or quickly.
I am a Kempo blackbelt who studied in New Zealand and Australia in the 80s and 90s and that is the story of how American Kenpo came to Hawaii in Mr Parker's books, which I own. However, there has been a lot of additional information come to light about Mitose since Mr Parker died. Mitose went to jail for murder and was hardly spoken of while I trained, but there were questions raised after he died about whether or not he was guilty. He was known to be eccentric and it is possible that his supposed ancient family style of martial arts, was actually Okinawan Kenpo learned from his uncle, Motobu Choki, perhaps with elements of other arts such as Jujitsu included. It certainly wouldn't surprise me as Choki's style sound's very similar to the Kempo school that I trained at, which was started in New Zealand and by a foreign serviceman in the 50s and grown nation wide by one of his students. There were some fairly outlandish claims about the historical origins of the art, but I put down a lot of that to the inclination of instructors to try to impress their students with a bit of mysticism in those days. It was good hard training though, the master in question trained with Mr Parker and incorporated a lot of his self defence techniques. I train in Krav Maga now but the Kempo stays with me, it was certainly the best self defence training available at that time and is still very good when taught well.
Brings back memories. Leaned it for a few years when younger, got up to junior purple belt. Always remember the teacher talking about the Perfect Weapon movie and how he met Jeff Speakman in real life.
When I was looking for a place to train as a teen I wanted to find either a full contact Shotokan or Kenpo dojo which was hard to find in the Bronx during the 90's. At that time I thought that Jeff Speakmen and Marc Dacascos where both Kenpo stylist. In the brief time I took Praying Mantis Kung Fu, my Shifu told me and my friends that Dacaocos was actually Kajukenbo stylist. He then gave us brief history of Grand Master Parker and applications of American Kenpo. He did tell us to read the books you had on display in the video but never got around to do so.
My Sensei when I was a kid was a practitioner of Okinawan Karate and Kenpo Karate, and actually studied under Ed Parker. There was a great picture of them together on the wall of the dojo. It always blew my mind that he actually studied with such a legend. Sadly, most of my fellow students at the time had no clue who he was (not everyone who practices martial arts is invested enough to read and study the origins of the art they're learning). Great video!
I love these videos. I train in and teach Shaolin Kenpo and always love learning the history behind the various Kenpo styles. It was kinda cool to hear the instructors say things I tell my students all the time.
The traditional or roots of the art must be preserved by teaching it to young students (beginners); however, as our world changes new techniques must be developed and implemented and taught to all students. Always maintain the basic principles of the art. I love it when an instructor says, "my sifu said," or "my sifu used to say, or recall my sifu used to say, "I hold the rank of Master, but I am not a master of anything because I am still learning."
A very informative video, great explanations. I've never done Kenpo Karate,, but a friend of mine started his early martial arts in that system and later went on to Tai Chi. He always had a great understanding of body movement and other solid principles of any martial art. I started in Judo, then Kung Fu and later and now Tai Chi. All systems and styles will have their pros and cons, depending on what you want out of the practice and training. Even some people without specific training can have powerful martial prowess. It's an error to underestimate anyone or any system or style. We can all learn from each other and show mutual respect. TH-cam lends itself to public comments of all sorts, including this one. People will always have different opinions, but I suggest that a good way to begin to understand another art is to try it, or at the very least have an open mind about it. Kenpo should be respected, not only for its origins, foundiing members and its benefit to many of its practitioners, but also for its legacy today. It will not suit everyone, that's obvious, and that applies to all other martial arts too. If you don't like it, that's fine, you can do something else. I don't do it, but I don't dislike it. If there was a Kenpo school near me when I was younger I probably would have joined, but I was introduced to Judo instead. Some of my friends did karate and others boxing. But often the hardest fighters at school were not trained in anything, they were strong, fast and aggressive; so for a Judo or Karate move to work you needed to be experienced at using it. But the best approach was always to stay calm and avoid the conflict if possible. Sometimes it wasn't possible, so sometimes you had to do something to defend yourself. Sometimes you would get hurt, on other occasions you didn't (or it was minimal). I used to get hurt more when training in Judo and Kung Fu for sure, and that does toughen you up, but you have to take care of injuries and try to avoid serious damage. It's essential to find schools with good teaching methods and respectful students, I've been in some sporting & practice sessions, and heard of others that my colleagues had witnessed, where arms have been broken, shoulders dislocated, wrist and fingers broken, elbows damaged, eyes damaged and even students being killed accidentally (yes, the techniques can be deadly, so CONTROL is essential)
I've done huk planas system until purple belt. I just passed 14 yrs in kajukenbo and I received my 2nd degree in the art. Also studied an off shoot of Tracy kenpo. Got 1st deg black
All of Ed Parker’s prominent black belts have different specialties. I hold a blackbelt in IKCA kenpo with chuck Sullivan. I have also begun working thru the American Kenpo Curriculum. I have also begun in the Tracy curriculum. I have learned the same techniques from many different instructors and have gained insight from all those great men.
Wow! I never knew any of this! My dad ran the Seattle Dojo for Ed Parker back in the 1960’s. He would drive down to LA to see Ed and get his next degree of Black Belt. Sometimes Ed would come up to Seatttle and stop by the house when I was a kid. I never went to the dojo other than a few times. Since I was his oldest son I had to practice with Dad at home. This wasn’t any fun since he never pulled his punches! So I never formally learned the Kenpo style but growing up no one ever landed a punch on me unless they cold cocked me! I lost Dad in 1999 so both Dad and Ed are still doing their Katas together in heaven. Wow, this was great to learn about my dad.
Kenpo paints a canvas of an infinite mass of techniques with any possible defense and attack from any angle, so one knows how to protect themselves when all confrontations come there way. Hopefully, you won’t ever have to defend yourself to protect your life or loved ones. For those who think Kenpo is overkill, just realize that no Kenpo practitioner would throw that many strikes in a life or death situation. However, one who studied the art knows how to be ready, and on guard at all times, ready to attack what presents itself, ready to get in and out, only requiring the least amount of force necessary to fit that situation. God bless!!!
I am a practitioner of American Kenpo, and also Kenpo 5.0 under Robert Sotomayor (6th degree at the time of this writing) who is under Jeff Speakman. I have talked to many people about the art and some are very receptive to it, others are hostile towards it, similar to the last seen in KK III where Daniel is on the ground and "Bad Boy" Mike Barnes is telling him his karate is *explicative*, and what not. I have loved the art ever since I started training. Thank you for an amazing video, I am looking forward to the other videos in the series!
I started when I was 17 after seeing the perfect weapon. Then I join the Marines and never had a chance to get back to it. I liked it then and my instructor definitely pushed sparring and being hit. I really enjoyed it. Now 24 years later I have started it again with my kids. I am looking forward to continuing for the long term this time.
Well done video. Great history and discussion on Parker Kenpo. Everything in Kenpo is a tool to put in you own toolbox. More complex techniques are simply 2, 3 or more tools linked together. In real life, your opponent(s) chooses an action, and you react to it out of your "toolbox". You do not fight or survive using techniques. A real fight is simply actions and reaction, just linked motions, of which, if you react well, you control your opponent. You make the art your own. Studying martial arts is an infinite lifelong process. We can always learn something new that makes us better. Geoff - under Paul Helvie (Wellington, CO) and Jim Dohan
A really interesting video. I am new to Marshall Arts and started studying American Kenpo just over a year ago in Leeds, UK at the age of 37. I am really enjoying the concept. This was a really interesting video into the history of the art. Thanks.
Thank you for this instructional video. I appreciate the insight as I begin my journey in this martial art. I have studied a tiny bit of karate as a child. As I continued my study I gathered as much info from all of my friends as possible. My parents were too poor to send me to a school. So my friends taught me judo, Jiujitsu, karate, boxing, wrestling and much more. Sadly I was a poor student due to health problems. I’m 44 and have survived open heart surgery, knee surgery, two ear surgeries, I’ve been shot, stabbed. I jumped into a malfunctioning carnival ride to save two girls and was thrown around inside a scrambler. I’ve had eight concussions and been in two rollovers. I have to work very hard to learn a maneuver and I may have only 15 more years on this heart. For the last few years I’ve been studying American Kenpo. I’ll never be amazing at it, however it has given me the ability to coalesce all the previous study I’ve had in other styles. I am grateful that this system was created and hopefully I’ll live long enough to be somewhat useful as a martial artist. Thank you again for this video and your thoughts.
I wish you the best and hope you are doing ok. You sound like an amazing person. I would bet anything that you are much better than you know. Prayers Up !!
The thing about Mr. Parker was that he could mentally dissect a given position or technique, explain it's principles and ideas in great detail. But he could back it up too. Actually fight with it. He could disassemble a goon challenging him at a presentation just as easily as an idea. There is something to be said about raw horsepower backed with meticulous investigation. That was Mr. Parker.
It is practical to learn! I love the way they teach, and they encourage student to ask questions. I came from rather traditional dojo, so you know what I mean.
A lot of what is mentioned here is true for most martial arts in general. What is displayed usually is the perfect ideal scenario, but it's assumed we only practice the ideal and don't have dynamic training. Other systems do a lot of perfect ideal scenario training to help someone figure out mechanics and timing as well but people ignore that because most people online only post the perfect ideal scenario for TMA.
Awesome history, well presented of a very effective Marital Art! Master Ed Parker was a True Master Pioneer, who greatly positivly impacted the Maritial Arts world May God Bless him.
I practice kenpo karate. I'm a third brown belt and still going to classes. But I like any martial art. It doesn't matter which ones the best, because there's no such thing as the best.
Thanks for this video. There have been quite a lot of dispute about Mr. Parker's forning of American Kenpo. Some have suggested some shady ways. In those old days, it is hard to get the facts straight( Even today with all the technology, it is still hard to get the facts straight). My own experience came from going to one of the conventions in 1988 and meeting him. He was very scientific about the martial arts. Then I met Jeff Speakman a few years later and his respect toward Mr. Parker and showing me some of the principles that are universal in a lot of the top martial arts. Whatever the origin. Mr. Parker's contribution to Kenpo cannot be denied. Thanks for the video
Very well said. I'm currently working on the new video, which goes into how Kenpo changed throughout the years and you are correct, there are a LOT of bad politics and nasty comments between a lot of people from back then. I'm not going to include the politics into the video, but it's sad to see such a great art get marked by bad feelings. Thank you for your comment and your support!
I love the content, every year where I am at we have 7 different kempo schools that get together for a tournament, and I absolutely love it because we actually exchange Knowledge quite a bit, my sensei loved a technique from an other school so much he added it to our school so now Our Combination 14 is completely different. I love just being able to learn and evolve.
@@tagg1080 well our Combination used to be that but now its completely different. Umm I am not good at describing things in words let me try to find a link to a video
I really like that Parker was not so very rigid, and that he believed that different students could adapt slightly different ways of doing the art that might fit their body better.
I've studied multiple styles throughout the years - Shaolin Kempo (the USSD branch of American Kempo created by Charles Mattera), as well as Poekoelan, Shotokan karate, Aikido, Jujitsu (traditional and Brazilian), Hung Gar kung fu, Kajukenbo, and Choy Lay Fut kung fu (currently studying). I really liked Kempo/Kenpo, and still find myself using the blocks and strikes when going on pure reaction vs thinking about technique. I also find a lot of similarities in a lot of the arts I've studied. The main thing is, as long as someone can keep their wits and stay calm, not be afraid to get hit (you will be hit in a fight, the question is how badly), is willing to attack, and tries to end the fight as quickly as possible (even if that means running away), the style is like music, it's mainly a personal choice. I will say though, that having comfortability being on the ground is definitely important, either through wrestling, BJJ, or judo. Luckily both my old Kempo instructors and my current Choy Lay Fut instructors cross-train in BJJ. But yeah, styles are like music, Kempo to me is like hard rock, it's fast, it's hard, and it can be intense. But it will always keep a place in my heart.
As someone that practices Taekwondo and has enjoyed science since I was young, I really like the ideas put forth here. Now even though I don't practice American Kenpo, I am glad to see that many of the things that I believe and find useful in my personal training are the same as used here.
A problem with any striking art is that it's hard to consistently test things without beating each other up in the gym. Compared to grappling where we can go harder and test what works
@@duckrabbithead Kenpo isn't just a striking art. But to learn the arm bars and contact manipulation properly requires dummies who are as good as the people doing the techniques.
Thank you for mention the origin for Kempo stated with Kosho-Ryu. I have studied Kosho-Ryu for the past 21 years. My teacher Grand Master Tony Bowles learned Kosho-Ryu for James and Thomas Mitsoe. Thank you again for this video.
Because of my training in Tracy's Kenpo, which came from early American Kenpo, I know about American Kenpo. I know there has been some political disagreements between the two similar systems, but I have never been a part of this, nor am I interested in ever doing so. I enjoyed your informative discourse into our history. Thank you!
@@netoshelley.denecochea4350 I'm not sure who you mean. Joe Lewis, Ray Klingenberg, Mick? I trained at Tracy's in Indianapolis with Jim Stewart and then Columbus with JT Will. I wasn't good enough to fight at the national level.
I had the pleasure to watch and participate in one of SGM Parker's classes in Pasadena. in the 1980's. I trained under Steve Muhammad for 10 straight years in the BKF. The systems of SGM Parker and Mr. Muhammad are great examples of the Art of Kenpo in motion.
Excellent video. As a kenpo school owner and teacher since 94 I appreciate your attention to these details. I have Parker and Tracey lineage. Love the joke how many kenpo black belts to change a light bulb! So true!
I studied and achieved a first degree Black Belt in a Kenpo based system.It is structured for an individual to adapt the techniques to the individual.All martial art styles are great but have weaknesses.You have to adapt your body / mind to the art and use what works for you.
Little known fact: Ed Parker was good friends with the man who start the karate dojo I started at West Coast Shotokan Karate, Ed Hamile. From what I know they shard a lot of knowledge amongst each other and one helped the other open some dojo in SGV.
Another very interesting video. Good stuff! One of my earliest teachers, Master Jim Perkins, was a student if Professor Chow. One of my other teachers, Professor Wayne Carman, was friends with Master Ed Parker. He was also a body guard for Elvis Presley. And another of my teachers, Danny Wilson, was a student of Guro Dan Inosanto. I’m quite familiar with your system and have a great deal of respect for it. Your video has done an excellent job of explaining the origins of American Kenpo. I appreciate your addressing the controversy over the spelling (kenpo/kempo). Please keep the videos coming. Good job!!!
I recently learned that Sijo Emporado was a 5th degree black belt under Chow when SGM Ed Parker began his training. and SGM Ed Parker was promote to 8th degree by Sijo Emporado. I know you have mentioned the connection between American Kenpo and Kajukenbo. I'm wondering if we don't need a deep dive into the connection and the philosophy of these people. We need videos on chow and mitose. We are all waiting literally everyone in America. Thank you.
First of all, great video and presentation. That said, I practice Kenpo, if I didn't, this video would make me want to. One thing I will add, in the ranks: 10th degree is a grandmaster, not senior master. S.G.M. Ed Parker was the only person with a 10th that was called Senior GrandMaster and Founder of the system (directly taken from the Encyclopedia of Kenpo). I look forward to your next video. Salute.
I studied under Kyoshi Steve Lavallee from 1986 to 1991 and remember the day Grandmaster Ed Parker died. Like others in the system of Kenpo; I got discouraged by the art and then took an education karate program at college that was based in Washin-Ryu. Over the years, I studied in a variety of martial arts and combat sports and received my rank in Budo. As I grew older and learned more, I learned the value in my original training in American Kenpo. One of the instructors at my dojo is a Nidan in American Kenpo; receiving it from our mutual instructor Kyoshi Steve Lavallee. The art of American Kenpo is fluid. My Sensei - Hanshi Stuart Gray once said "make the martial arts your own" which goes back to the basic principles of Grandmaster Ed Parker - learn the science and principles, and do what works for you. Thank you for the video. Feel free to reach out to me. Blessings; Renshi Chris Sackett - 4th Dan - Budo.
i studied Taekwondo and aikido and have always thought Kenpo was cool but non realistic but watching this video changed my mind i always loved jeff speakman and now i see why he is so good Ed parker was a really good teacher im not sure if its good in a street fight but as a black belt in my forms 4th Dan and 6th dan i know that kata or forms or 1 steps are the last things you would try in a fight but as the man said its like shadow boxing so all in all good practice.
Very cool. Thanks for the history lesson. My Sensei learned Kenpo during those early days. Along with other styles. Came up with two styles. Chosen Ryu Karate. And Ronin Kai kenpo. Was great to hear all the stuff we do too. Point of origin, economy of motion, SDS interpreted in the ideal and other situations. Never hear any other schools teaching these things.
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I studied Kenpo in the 70s. I fell in Love with it. I used it throughout my law enforcement career. It never failed me. Thank you Mr Parker. I never had the need to shoot anyone because I was very well trained in Kenpo Karate.
RESPECT sir. OSU 🐅 🐉
Thank you for your service!
Hey, I just wanted to let you know if you are still a Police officer out there!! Thank you for doing what you do!! I know its not easy!! I am not an officer, but I do teach Kenpo as well, Keep on training and Be Careful out there!! and thank you again!!
Those are great words buddy..
You sir are an incredible individual.
I met Mr. Parker several times in 1989 and 1990. His seminars were absolutely packed with useful information, wonderful stories, memorable anecdotes and his distinctive personality. He seemed like a force of nature. Full of explosive power that could be frightening to the uninitiated, which I was at the time. Yet he was also kind and really cared that you understood what he was teaching. Mr. Parker was a gifted teacher and a natural story teller which worked well to disguise the brutal street fighter that was just beneath the surface of his civility. His seminars were an experience that recordings just cannot capture. To be in the man's presence was something special even if you were not a student of the martial arts.
. Injack. Rabbit
What is a jack rabbit?
Egg up in my,
I've done trained in a ton of different schools and different styles. My best experience ever was with George Calvillo in North Hollywood, CA. Amazing teacher and mentor. I'm old and broken now, but he made me a badass back in the day.
Kenpo changed my life. I'm glad I found your video. This will be the video that I direct people to that have an interest in the art.
Amazing comment, thank you and I appreicate that you found value from this :)
I started learning American Kenpo Karate in 1999 in Spokane, Washington and continued learning 2 1/2 years. I feel the training of self discipline, self defense and respect are invaluable lessons. Kenpo is a great tool to teach kids to feel safe as well as give them a sense of accomplishment. I know that's what it did me. I am not a black-belt. This video makes me feel a few certain ways. The realization that our Art needs preserving has been the final brick in my decision to pledge myself to the Art on a broader scale then before.
Also, I do believe all Kenpo practitioners are brothers in a physical sense, that is to say the mechanics of the Art but we must always remember who started it and who passed down this legacy. None other than Mr. Edmund K. Parker himself. I feel Parker is the only 10th degree black-belt and we should honor him in our journey. Thanks for posting!
Well said sir. Could not agree more
Where you from? I studied under Genaro Jose, a student of Ralph Castro. The school was called Twin Dragons.
Im not a kenpo practitioner but ever since I was a young teen reading black belt inside Kung Fu kick Illustrated and karate Illustrated magazines I always had an admiration for the system and its many lineages and would have been a practitioner had there been a school in my area... but over the years I have met many proficient Kenpo practitioners and in my opinion it is one of the most practical styles out there and like the video says do not judge the art on the demonstrations that are presented the public .... one of my former classmates at the Filipino martial arts schools I used to attend in Long Island New York was very good in boxing and Kenpo and was a well-respected person in his other profession as a doorman at some pretty seedy clubs in the New York-New Jersey area and its wasnt because of his fighting skill but his diplomatic approach which was respectful but very no nonsense at the same time... truly the style that is presented here is something Americans can be proud of calling their own .
Fun fact: in Dragon the Bruce Lee story, Ed Parker was portrayed by his son Ed Parker jr. He held a tournament in Oakland California in 1964.
Damn I was gonna mention that after I completed this video
Awesome observation!
Son Goku thanks! Now I gotta go watch Dragon and find him in the movie. Lol
What's fun about that 65 year old fact?
Being the martial arts nerd I always was as a kid, I immediately recognized him in that movie. My friends, who weren't into martial arts at all, just thought I was weird for pointing out some random guy in the middle of the movie. LOL
The perfect weapon introduced me to kenpo. Love it.
Kenpo is one of the best arts I ever studied it was a blessing to learn such a great discipline , im also a philipino martial art instructor and Indonesian silat martial art instructor and there are so many similarities in these arts we're all blessed with the ability to learn learn all you can build off them all cuz they all will compliment each other and like my great grandmaster Ramiro says its none of my business what people think of me or my art , all I can say is enjoy learning its a blessing from god enjoy the ride and Godbless , Master Ed of Estallila Kabaroan Eskrima
I don’t study this style, but I practice Shotokan Karate and Wing Chun. It is interesting to learn about different styles and how they apply techniques compared to someone else.
By the way, if you play fighting games, Paul Phoenix in the Tekken series uses a combination of Kenpo and Judo. The devs at Namco might have been inspired
Son Goku awesome sir
Always kinda Paul was kinda kenpo-ish
Thats my main right there
SHOTOKAN REPRESENT!
I agree
I studied "Kenpo" at, what seems to be, an awkward time in Kenpo's development. This was 1985. I had two instructors. Both had just received their black belts and they decided to form a "new" martial art that was essentially Kenpo with a side of Taekwondo. Having stayed with it for two years, they definitely taught us how to fight, but they did not teach any methodology from Kenpo or Taekwondo. When I look back and try to remember all that I was taught, the only "Kenpo" I can derive from it was the Finger "Kata." Which was a series of finger strikes. Also, Form 1 and Form 2 were taught. The style of fighting was more like boxing. Right cross, Jabs, hooks, uppercuts, front kick, side kick, round house. Adding to that we had what was called the ridge-hand. A knife-hand strike to the temple. We had what he called a backfist, a horizontal smack to the side of the head with the back of your knuckles. Advanced strikes were two-finger strike to the eyes, and what he called, "The Bear Claw." It was a cupped hand strike to the ear, then form your fingers into a four-knuckle punch and pull back, ripping off the ear.
They focused most on speed. However, they didn't discourage hitting your fellow students, but they did want to teach control. So many times we were instructed to stop all attacks within an inch. WE did this over and over and over to the point where we could all execute with precision; which later got me in trouble when I studied Wado Ryu and they told me I wasn't allowed to have that level of control at my belt level (whatever the F*** that means.)
Speaking with other Kenpo practitioners, I feel like I lost out on some great knowledge. Can I defend myself? Yes. But did I understand all the movements and motions? No; not at that time anyway. Oddly enough, practicing everything I had learned over the course of 25 years, I have since followed Ed Parker's philosophy without ever having been taught it; taking apart technique, figuring out how they worked and perhaps how to execute them faster, better, etc. Like life, martial arts is forever changing, evolving.
We had a finger kata like that. It was, double lapel defense, cross hands up through the arms, pivot on back foot as you strike open their grab, bowing in on fore leg,then while alternating pivots and hands it goes, right/straight fingers/eye-right parry, left shudo/nose-right parry, right 4 fin./ Eye gouge-left parry, left hammer fist/groin-right parry then cover back.😅
Anyone watching this in San Antonio, TX and is interested in learning Kempo, there are several options.
*Sifu Swan (National Chinese Kenpo Karate Association)
*Sensei Juan (Kara-Ho Kempo) (My Teacher)
*KOA Kenpo (HYPER(?) Kenpo)
*Kenpo 5.0
*Hanshi Juchnik said there are teachers of Kosho-Ryu Kenpo in the area as well.
Hit me up and I can help you look or introduce you to my Sensei!
As a martial arts practitioner with mixed Chinese and Japanese heritage, I’d like to provide another layer of clarification to the name Kenpo/Kempo. The full name is 拳步法 and is pronounced Kuen-Bo Fat in Cantonese and Quanbufa in Mandarin, which means Fist Foot methods, law, or ideas. Those who studied the Chinese language may have learned that Old or Classical Chinese sounds more like Cantonese as opposed to Mandarin, which is a modern language. Most of the Japanese Kanji pronunciation was based on Old Chinese. So Kuen-Bo became Kempo and the Fat or Law was dropped.
I don't know who you are, but you are the first person I've heard get that right, thank you!
@@samiibrahim5356 Thank you for the acknowledgment. I was trained in Peng Nan Wing Chun from Foshan by my late father. People from Foshan speak Cantonese so not only did I learn the arts, but I also learn the history of the arts in its original language. In addition to Peng Nan Wing Chun, I also learned Kenpo, TKD, JKD, and Qinna.
I was involved with Kenpo Karate in the 1980's at Tracy's Karate, I took this up as a 250 Lb. kid who did not like any sports, next thing I knew I was 132 Lbs. I learned self-confidence, character, had great instructors, and just like this video displays, there was no certain way to stick to "one way" to defend one's self, we were taught the general information, and our minds were allowed to expand on those techniques. It was obvious that relaxed mindful mechanics became a part of the mind and soul. As I end my comments, I must say that this has been one of the best video series I have ever watched, thank you for this production!
Thank you!
Love Kenpo karate, the hand strikes are amazing.
I studied Kenpo in the late 70s in Glendale Arizona. I met Ed Parker in 1977.
I'm very jealous!
I remember Master Parker visiting our studio in Menlo Park California in 1967. It was Tracy's Studios back then. He was so smooth and humble, but he was so fast and accurate. I was a "colored" belt and invited to his class. One phrase he spoke that never left me, "No matter how bad you think you are, there is always going to be someone badder". This stuck with me to today, and I'm 69 years old. It has allowed me to move through adversaries who thought they were the baddest. I have always been calm before the storm. Senise Parker taught some terrific lessons...`
You were extremely fortunate to have met him in a class environment, and your comments ring true.
@@IHateTH-camHandles615 I can't agree more. Plus, for me, his wisdom was so far-reaching and very poignant for today
I studied under Mitose's student, Kosho Shorei Kenpo. I appreciate that you mentioned Mr. Parkers master. I also appreciate recognizing the nonsense of politics. Keep Kenpo Alive!
I don't study kenpo, but I always admired the system. Now I admire it even more!! Many important lessons that other teachers can learn by following master Parker's example. Thank you for posting this!
th-cam.com/video/W27MUet3uxk/w-d-xo.html
Finding a small channel with content this good is like finding that small Dojo in a shopping center that's better than all of the big ones .
Thank you very much, I really appreciate this comment! :)
Great job on the video. My father and Ed Parker were friends and attended BYU together. My dad became one of his first black belts. My brother Tim also studied Kenpo for close to 40 years and received his black belt and degrees from Mr. Parker. Thank you for the video.
That's amazing! I would have loved to have met him but he died a few years before I started.
I have four black belts: BJJ; Judo; TKD; and Kenpo. Kenpo was a fantastic base for me and one of my first loves. I still use some of the concepts in teaching.
I took some students to an American Kenpo tournament 2 weeks ago. The organizers are long time friends and have supported my tournament. My students didn't understand the self-defense portion. Had to explain to them. This is one of the things I love about being a martial artist; associating with fellow practitioners from different styles.
Thank you Mr. Dan, because of this channel I started my training again after 20 years of being out of it. All these videos helped shaping my decision on the form I wanted to study, I was in Taekwondo and became red belt in my late teen years before I went into the Army. I am training with Immortal Tiger Kenpo Karate, it is Shaolin Kenpo that was formed under Great Grandmaster Ralph Castro. I just wanted to thank you, how much I appreciate this channel, and you have a life long viewer from this point moving forward.
Thanks for the history of American Kenpo. Always loved and respect this art. Mr Parker pretty much gave Bruce Lee the chance to show his stuff to a wide audience when he was virtually unknown in the USA. As a Jeet Kune Do instructor I personally will always be grateful and have extra respect for this form of Karate. Thanks
Cleveland Stamps well I don't know that's an interesting comparison Kung Fu and Kenpo Karate. Well Jeet Kune do kind of took its own steps but all in one process ... and I've met my fair share of good Kenpo Karate instructors, I think the style suffers from an innate weirdness.
Karate is a style that sent itself in a search to use the most reduced minimalist style possible coming from Kung Fu so the purpose was to take out anything that was innately complex that you really just didn't need for instance cross blocks are in Nate Lee complex you have to sort of have a doctorate and how the human body works to pull off good cross blocks because a lot of grappling and striking Concepts start coming to play if you do that so karate will prefer hopefully not using cross blocks and less in a very simple way to the whole goal was to simplify anything that took a long time to be rewarded but also simplify things that were just not necessarily necessary at all.
I can see how someone that liked JKD would appreciate that me I'm more of a Kung Fu fan.
Anyways so let's be honest that's what karate is it's the whole idea of minimalizing kung fu to the basics that really started kung fu and put just the things that are necessary the things that I might have complexity to them but can be done with simplicity.
Fast forward to Kenpo now Kenpo is a very artistic style of karate where you have specific multiple-hit counters and attacks.
While I have appreciation for their work when they created it one of the things that I find a disconnect in is the soft subtlety of kung fu where it adapts and it lives and changes and can do multiple things at once and is intelligent if you understand it on a complex level and high-level that even most teachers seem to forget or never even learned ...
Well that's Kung Fu you don't have to do things in a hard concrete way it's adaptive ...
Kenpo Karate comes from a style that took all of that out and then they put it back in but when they put it back in it seems we rehearsed and choreographed something that's hard and unchanging it doesn't seem to be based on the differences in energy and bodies and movement and timing it just sort of continues its effort a long a predestined path.
Now it's true that kung fu is a soft art and karate is a hardstyle but that's sort of the effect that took place so I feel like they took out the complexity and put it back in but the intelligence of kung fu is lost and sort of a predetermined attack of Kenpo.
That said I've known excellent Kenpo teachers they were just really bad Ruff and Tuff great martial arts teachers they were fantastic they knew everything about every martial art they were wonderful teachers and you have to respect them their heart and their knowledge is wonderful.
But I always found a disconnect in the whole idea of karate is to be sort of a reduction or a minimal style and then you take that reduction or minimal styling you add complexity into it again for totally different effect.
That's like taking bjj and saying you want to simplify it, then you make some simple self defense style. Then go from that back into catch wrestling. Then you're like, what just happened?
I started out studying Shotokan. I enjoyed it and there is great value in the traditional arts. But, when I moved to kenpo 15 years ago it opened my eyes. Economy of motion, controlling the height, width, and depth of your opponent, the study of movement and the human body....man just great stuff. I was a bouncer for a while and it was always kenpo I used when I needed to defend myself. Quick and efficient.
Bounced Myself.
Aiki-Jutsu helped a lottery 2
I was given a 6 month set of lessons while deployed while in the military from one of Mr. Parkers former one on one students. After being taught, I realized that I hadn't learned much of 3 different styles of Martial arts I had studied before as a child and young adult. I merely combined and refined and added smooth fluid economical motion with purpose. As Bruce Lee said, be water, my friends. American Kempo has served me well twice since learning. I only wish there was a school close by so I could advance and practice with like-minded people. I miss my sensei.
I started in 1988 under Ben Cohen. I studied Kenpo for 5 years. The things I learned are forever in my head and have served me well to keep me out of plenty of fights, and come out unharmed in the ones I couldn’t avoid. Mr. Cohen is a great man who studied with Mr. Parker. There were lots of cool stories in our dojo. Good times.
It was so nice to see Michael Pick in this video. I studied with him briefly in the late 80's when he was in the Phoenix area. What a wonderful man and the toughest person I've met to date in all my martial arts training bar none.
The other branch from the tree of Kempo is what is on the East Coast, it was founded by Senior Grand Master George Pesare.
Many groups have branched off from his system if you were to count them all there are thousands of black belts under his lineage
I knew the name KENPO KEMPO long back but the training n techniques I have see now, VERY impressive.
Thank you for covering this. I have earned a purple belt under Shihan Terry Rich in North Carolina. He teaches and often tells of his interactions with Senior Grand Master Parker. Professor Rich incorporates the 22 concepts (the 22nd is to apply the 21) and is continuously developing himself and often describes how he has used the techniques in his every day job as a Deputy in Sampson County; this practical application has helped him better articulate the concepts and he has shared that knowledge. It has been an honor to train with him. Through Professor Rich, I have had the privilege of meeting, and being hit by, Grandmaster Mike Pick. I am looking forward to your continuation of this series.
I started kenpo last year and its just a great style of karate. Wish i could have met the man. And its great to be taught by world champion Roy Macdonald 😁
I started Kenpo from age 7 till 14 achieving brown belt. They didn't award black belts to anyone under 18 at the time. Great times. I continued with martial arts till now for another 32 years, but never returned to Kenpo, though I considered it for awhile (long story). Kenpo was an important part of my life.
Then return to your roots brother it’s calling you 💯❤️👊🏻🙏
Great video brother. I'm a kenpo black belt.
I, at 5'2" and slim bones, began learning tracy Kenpo and taught for them up to black belt. I then learned Ed Parker Amrican Kenpo.
I've used Kenpo 7 times in my wild single life, over a period of fifteen years. Each time I was shocked to find that only one move or strike knocked the guy down and that was it! Kenpo is great on the street, regardless of your size, as long as you practice. I've taught adults for fifty years. Over that time I've added things to American Kenpo to make it more efficient. I added ground techs to get up off the ground, I slowly created more effective techniqeus up to 10th black. Added 50 ground techniques to get "off" the ground and back onto your feet, where you belong. I made more short stick techniques and joint locks.
Even at age 76 I still move fast and nimble, because I've been training for so long., I do it for exercise because it helps me move like a young person. But I still a couple of adults privately at my home matted studio in Puyallup, WA
Yours in AKJ-American Kenpo, Sifu 10th degree black.
Wow, thanks for sharing. Hope you're still training / teaching. Greetings from the UK.
In my area, when I was looking for a practical martial system, Kempo (IKCA, IKKA, AKKS), of any variety, is extremely hard to find or doesn't match my work / college schedule.
The only two schools are: a American Bujutsu Kempo / Hawaiian Kempo Jujitsu school and a ICKA Kempo Karate school. Neither one fit my schedule, for the moment.
Most of the other Kempo schools (A Tracy school and a IKKA Parker school) have closed up shop (and then moved out of state) or are teaching out of non-traditional locations, others are teaching little know disciplines.
In my area, if it isn't Knockdown Karate / Kyokushinkaikan, American Kickboxing, 'Muay Thai' (which is really Dutch Style kickboxing, in this area), Wrestling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, then it's either losing practitioners or dying, be it slowly or quickly.
Mr Wedlake was my instructor for over 14 years you can look me up on his family tree!
I am a Kempo blackbelt who studied in New Zealand and Australia in the 80s and 90s and that is the story of how American Kenpo came to Hawaii in Mr Parker's books, which I own. However, there has been a lot of additional information come to light about Mitose since Mr Parker died. Mitose went to jail for murder and was hardly spoken of while I trained, but there were questions raised after he died about whether or not he was guilty. He was known to be eccentric and it is possible that his supposed ancient family style of martial arts, was actually Okinawan Kenpo learned from his uncle, Motobu Choki, perhaps with elements of other arts such as Jujitsu included.
It certainly wouldn't surprise me as Choki's style sound's very similar to the Kempo school that I trained at, which was started in New Zealand and by a foreign serviceman in the 50s and grown nation wide by one of his students. There were some fairly outlandish claims about the historical origins of the art, but I put down a lot of that to the inclination of instructors to try to impress their students with a bit of mysticism in those days.
It was good hard training though, the master in question trained with Mr Parker and incorporated a lot of his self defence techniques. I train in Krav Maga now but the Kempo stays with me, it was certainly the best self defence training available at that time and is still very good when taught well.
Brings back memories. Leaned it for a few years when younger, got up to junior purple belt. Always remember the teacher talking about the Perfect Weapon movie and how he met Jeff Speakman in real life.
I ain’t a Kenpo practitioner but I love Mr. Parker’s teachings and his innovations.
I'm a kenpo brother. Nice video!
This series is a great service to EPAK Kenpo and American Kenpo in general. Great work. Thank you!
Over all a well done introduction to the Kenpo system.
As I was watching this video I wondered what you thought about it Mr.D
Kenpo is so awesome!
Joined Kenpo just over a month ago and I'm loving it way more than my old art.
I learned under Fred Stille and am thankful.
I've studied five other styles but find that Kenpo is practical AND artistic.
Great video! I've been studying for the past 10 years... I'm glad you hit the 'ideal, what if, and formulation' phases...
When I was looking for a place to train as a teen I wanted to find either a full contact Shotokan or Kenpo dojo which was hard to find in the Bronx during the 90's. At that time I thought that Jeff Speakmen and Marc Dacascos where both Kenpo stylist. In the brief time I took Praying Mantis Kung Fu, my Shifu told me and my friends that Dacaocos was actually Kajukenbo stylist. He then gave us brief history of Grand Master Parker and applications of American Kenpo. He did tell us to read the books you had on display in the video but never got around to do so.
My Sensei when I was a kid was a practitioner of Okinawan Karate and Kenpo Karate, and actually studied under Ed Parker. There was a great picture of them together on the wall of the dojo.
It always blew my mind that he actually studied with such a legend. Sadly, most of my fellow students at the time had no clue who he was (not everyone who practices martial arts is invested enough to read and study the origins of the art they're learning).
Great video!
I love these videos. I train in and teach Shaolin Kenpo and always love learning the history behind the various Kenpo styles. It was kinda cool to hear the instructors say things I tell my students all the time.
The traditional or roots of the art must be preserved by teaching it to young students (beginners); however, as our world changes new techniques must be developed and implemented and taught to all students. Always maintain the basic principles of the art. I love it when an instructor says, "my sifu said," or "my sifu used to say, or recall my sifu used to say, "I hold the rank of Master, but I am not a master of anything because I am still learning."
A very informative video, great explanations. I've never done Kenpo Karate,, but a friend of mine started his early martial arts in that system and later went on to Tai Chi. He always had a great understanding of body movement and other solid principles of any martial art. I started in Judo, then Kung Fu and later and now Tai Chi. All systems and styles will have their pros and cons, depending on what you want out of the practice and training. Even some people without specific training can have powerful martial prowess. It's an error to underestimate anyone or any system or style. We can all learn from each other and show mutual respect. TH-cam lends itself to public comments of all sorts, including this one. People will always have different opinions, but I suggest that a good way to begin to understand another art is to try it, or at the very least have an open mind about it. Kenpo should be respected, not only for its origins, foundiing members and its benefit to many of its practitioners, but also for its legacy today. It will not suit everyone, that's obvious, and that applies to all other martial arts too. If you don't like it, that's fine, you can do something else. I don't do it, but I don't dislike it. If there was a Kenpo school near me when I was younger I probably would have joined, but I was introduced to Judo instead. Some of my friends did karate and others boxing. But often the hardest fighters at school were not trained in anything, they were strong, fast and aggressive; so for a Judo or Karate move to work you needed to be experienced at using it. But the best approach was always to stay calm and avoid the conflict if possible. Sometimes it wasn't possible, so sometimes you had to do something to defend yourself. Sometimes you would get hurt, on other occasions you didn't (or it was minimal). I used to get hurt more when training in Judo and Kung Fu for sure, and that does toughen you up, but you have to take care of injuries and try to avoid serious damage. It's essential to find schools with good teaching methods and respectful students, I've been in some sporting & practice sessions, and heard of others that my colleagues had witnessed, where arms have been broken, shoulders dislocated, wrist and fingers broken, elbows damaged, eyes damaged and even students being killed accidentally (yes, the techniques can be deadly, so CONTROL is essential)
Awesome insight bro.Much respect.Wish everyone else had your mindset.
I've done huk planas system until purple belt. I just passed 14 yrs in kajukenbo and I received my 2nd degree in the art. Also studied an off shoot of Tracy kenpo. Got 1st deg black
All of Ed Parker’s prominent black belts have different specialties. I hold a blackbelt in IKCA kenpo with chuck Sullivan. I have also begun working thru the American Kenpo Curriculum. I have also begun in the Tracy curriculum. I have learned the same techniques from many different instructors and have gained insight from all those great men.
th-cam.com/video/W27MUet3uxk/w-d-xo.html
Great to see many of my friends in the video Hola From Mexico...Luis Gutierrez
Thanks for sharing this summarized history! Very interesting!
Wow! I never knew any of this! My dad ran the Seattle Dojo for Ed Parker back in the 1960’s. He would drive down to LA to see Ed and get his next degree of Black Belt. Sometimes Ed would come up to Seatttle and stop by the house when I was a kid.
I never went to the dojo other than a few times. Since I was his oldest son I had to practice with Dad at home. This wasn’t any fun since he never pulled his punches!
So I never formally learned the Kenpo style but growing up no one ever landed a punch on me unless they cold cocked me! I lost Dad in 1999 so both Dad and Ed are still doing their Katas together in heaven.
Wow, this was great to learn about my dad.
Shalom from the Kenpo man in Russia!!!
Kenpo paints a canvas of an infinite mass of techniques with any possible defense and attack from any angle, so one knows how to protect themselves when all confrontations come there way. Hopefully, you won’t ever have to defend yourself to protect your life or loved ones. For those who think Kenpo is overkill, just realize that no Kenpo practitioner would throw that many strikes in a life or death situation. However, one who studied the art knows how to be ready, and on guard
at all times, ready to attack what presents itself, ready to get in and out, only requiring the least amount of force necessary to fit that situation. God bless!!!
Yes its control.
Dan. This is hands down the best video I have ever seen on Kenpo. Great job. Very inspiring.
I was fortunate enough to attend two of Mr. Parker’s seminars. He was very fast!
I am a practitioner of American Kenpo, and also Kenpo 5.0 under Robert Sotomayor (6th degree at the time of this writing) who is under Jeff Speakman. I have talked to many people about the art and some are very receptive to it, others are hostile towards it, similar to the last seen in KK III where Daniel is on the ground and "Bad Boy" Mike Barnes is telling him his karate is *explicative*, and what not. I have loved the art ever since I started training. Thank you for an amazing video, I am looking forward to the other videos in the series!
no need to give your resume.
@@rickc16 as well as no need to give your criticism...
just some constructive criticism & if u can't handle it then you have no business doing any martial art!
@@rickc16 it wasn't constructive, it was just criticism, and who said anything about me not being able to handle it?
@@rickc16 I think it is helpful to share what you have done and are doing it helps others.
I started when I was 17 after seeing the perfect weapon. Then I join the Marines and never had a chance to get back to it. I liked it then and my instructor definitely pushed sparring and being hit. I really enjoyed it. Now 24 years later I have started it again with my kids. I am looking forward to continuing for the long term this time.
Excellent documentary.Got the chance to meet Mr. Parker back in 1980. Wonderful time.
Well done video. Great history and discussion on Parker Kenpo. Everything in Kenpo is a tool to put in you own toolbox. More complex techniques are simply 2, 3 or more tools linked together. In real life, your opponent(s) chooses an action, and you react to it out of your "toolbox". You do not fight or survive using techniques. A real fight is simply actions and reaction, just linked motions, of which, if you react well, you control your opponent. You make the art your own. Studying martial arts is an infinite lifelong process. We can always learn something new that makes us better.
Geoff - under Paul Helvie (Wellington, CO) and Jim Dohan
A really interesting video. I am new to Marshall Arts and started studying American Kenpo just over a year ago in Leeds, UK at the age of 37. I am really enjoying the concept. This was a really interesting video into the history of the art. Thanks.
Thank you for this instructional video. I appreciate the insight as I begin my journey in this martial art.
I have studied a tiny bit of karate as a child. As I continued my study I gathered as much info from all of my friends as possible. My parents were too poor to send me to a school. So my friends taught me judo, Jiujitsu, karate, boxing, wrestling and much more. Sadly I was a poor student due to health problems.
I’m 44 and have survived open heart surgery, knee surgery, two ear surgeries, I’ve been shot, stabbed. I jumped into a malfunctioning carnival ride to save two girls and was thrown around inside a scrambler. I’ve had eight concussions and been in two rollovers.
I have to work very hard to learn a maneuver and I may have only 15 more years on this heart.
For the last few years I’ve been studying American Kenpo. I’ll never be amazing at it, however it has given me the ability to coalesce all the previous study I’ve had in other styles. I am grateful that this system was created and hopefully I’ll live long enough to be somewhat useful as a martial artist.
Thank you again for this video and your thoughts.
Thank you for the kind words and I admire your perserverance and sticking with it. Stay strong my friend!
I wish you the best and hope you are doing ok. You sound like an amazing person. I would bet anything that you are much better than you know. Prayers Up !!
The thing about Mr. Parker was that he could mentally dissect a given position or technique, explain it's principles and ideas in great detail. But he could back it up too. Actually fight with it. He could disassemble a goon challenging him at a presentation just as easily as an idea. There is something to be said about raw horsepower backed with meticulous investigation. That was Mr. Parker.
Well said.
It is practical to learn! I love the way they teach, and they encourage student to ask questions. I came from rather traditional dojo, so you know what I mean.
A lot of what is mentioned here is true for most martial arts in general. What is displayed usually is the perfect ideal scenario, but it's assumed we only practice the ideal and don't have dynamic training.
Other systems do a lot of perfect ideal scenario training to help someone figure out mechanics and timing as well but people ignore that because most people online only post the perfect ideal scenario for TMA.
It was great seeing Jeff Speakman in some of those photos.
Awesome history, well presented of a very effective Marital Art!
Master Ed Parker was a True Master Pioneer, who greatly positivly impacted the Maritial Arts world May God Bless him.
I practice kenpo karate. I'm a third brown belt and still going to classes. But I like any martial art. It doesn't matter which ones the best, because there's no such thing as the best.
Thanks for this video. There have been quite a lot of dispute about Mr. Parker's forning of American Kenpo. Some have suggested some shady ways.
In those old days, it is hard to get the facts straight( Even today with all the technology, it is still hard to get the facts straight).
My own experience came from going to one of the conventions in 1988 and meeting him. He was very scientific about the martial arts. Then I met Jeff Speakman a few years later and his respect toward Mr. Parker and showing me some of the principles that are universal in a lot of the top martial arts.
Whatever the origin. Mr. Parker's contribution to Kenpo cannot be denied.
Thanks for the video
Very well said. I'm currently working on the new video, which goes into how Kenpo changed throughout the years and you are correct, there are a LOT of bad politics and nasty comments between a lot of people from back then. I'm not going to include the politics into the video, but it's sad to see such a great art get marked by bad feelings.
Thank you for your comment and your support!
Ed Parker is legit. American Kenpo is one of the most effective and practical forms of Karate.
Speaking from experience?
I love the content, every year where I am at we have 7 different kempo schools that get together for a tournament, and I absolutely love it because we actually exchange Knowledge quite a bit, my sensei loved a technique from an other school so much he added it to our school so now Our Combination 14 is completely different. I love just being able to learn and evolve.
What do you have for combo 14? I am curious. The original karazenpo combo is a 45 cat, circle fan block, and jump split kick.
@@tagg1080 well our Combination used to be that but now its completely different. Umm I am not good at describing things in words let me try to find a link to a video
th-cam.com/video/dT3dalzqATQ/w-d-xo.html
Where are you?
@@JE19763 Oregon
I really like that Parker was not so very rigid, and that he believed that different students could adapt slightly different ways of doing the art that might fit their body better.
I've studied multiple styles throughout the years - Shaolin Kempo (the USSD branch of American Kempo created by Charles Mattera), as well as Poekoelan, Shotokan karate, Aikido, Jujitsu (traditional and Brazilian), Hung Gar kung fu, Kajukenbo, and Choy Lay Fut kung fu (currently studying). I really liked Kempo/Kenpo, and still find myself using the blocks and strikes when going on pure reaction vs thinking about technique. I also find a lot of similarities in a lot of the arts I've studied. The main thing is, as long as someone can keep their wits and stay calm, not be afraid to get hit (you will be hit in a fight, the question is how badly), is willing to attack, and tries to end the fight as quickly as possible (even if that means running away), the style is like music, it's mainly a personal choice. I will say though, that having comfortability being on the ground is definitely important, either through wrestling, BJJ, or judo. Luckily both my old Kempo instructors and my current Choy Lay Fut instructors cross-train in BJJ. But yeah, styles are like music, Kempo to me is like hard rock, it's fast, it's hard, and it can be intense. But it will always keep a place in my heart.
Really enjoyed this video. Saw a lot of parallels between the way Kenpo is taught and my own experience learning Kung Fu over the last few years.
Kenpo seems like a very interesting art to me, I am going to try and find a Kenpo school in my area and train in this fascinating art!
Watching this video make's me wanna join a Martial arts academy I would like to sign up for kenpo karate but the price how much
As someone that practices Taekwondo and has enjoyed science since I was young, I really like the ideas put forth here. Now even though I don't practice American Kenpo, I am glad to see that many of the things that I believe and find useful in my personal training are the same as used here.
A problem with any striking art is that it's hard to consistently test things without beating each other up in the gym. Compared to grappling where we can go harder and test what works
@@duckrabbithead Kenpo isn't just a striking art. But to learn the arm bars and contact manipulation properly requires dummies who are as good as the people doing the techniques.
I believe economy of motion traces its roots to jigoro kano’s seiryoku zenyo, “maximum efficiency with minimum effort”
Thank you for mention the origin for Kempo stated with Kosho-Ryu. I have studied Kosho-Ryu for the past 21 years. My teacher Grand Master Tony Bowles learned Kosho-Ryu for James and Thomas Mitsoe. Thank you again for this video.
Because of my training in Tracy's Kenpo, which came from early American Kenpo, I know about American Kenpo. I know there has been some political disagreements between the two similar systems, but I have never been a part of this, nor am I interested in ever doing so. I enjoyed your informative discourse into our history. Thank you!
Docinaplane چ
@@rezakashefi3293 چه چه؟
You trained at Tracy's? Do you know Joe, Ray or Mick RIP? Did you ever compete with Dick's?
@@netoshelley.denecochea4350 I'm not sure who you mean. Joe Lewis, Ray Klingenberg, Mick? I trained at Tracy's in Indianapolis with Jim Stewart and then Columbus with JT Will. I wasn't good enough to fight at the national level.
The disagreements are mostly exaggerated by people who "were not there." I didn't see any bad blood at the Gathering of Eagles.
I believe that Kenpo teaching with combinations is the reason that I have heard that many boxers/former boxers have chosen it as their art to study.
I had the pleasure to watch and participate in one of SGM Parker's classes in Pasadena. in the 1980's. I trained under Steve Muhammad for 10 straight years in the BKF. The systems of SGM Parker and Mr. Muhammad are great examples of the Art of Kenpo in motion.
th-cam.com/video/W27MUet3uxk/w-d-xo.html
Excellent video. As a kenpo school owner and teacher since 94 I appreciate your attention to these details. I have Parker and Tracey lineage. Love the joke how many kenpo black belts to change a light bulb! So true!
I studied and achieved a first degree Black Belt in a Kenpo based system.It is structured for an individual to adapt the techniques to the individual.All martial art styles are great but have weaknesses.You have to adapt your body / mind to the art and use what works for you.
Little known fact: Ed Parker was good friends with the man who start the karate dojo I started at West Coast Shotokan Karate, Ed Hamile. From what I know they shard a lot of knowledge amongst each other and one helped the other open some dojo in SGV.
Another very interesting video. Good stuff!
One of my earliest teachers, Master Jim Perkins, was a student if Professor Chow. One of my other teachers, Professor Wayne Carman, was friends with Master Ed Parker. He was also a body guard for Elvis Presley. And another of my teachers, Danny Wilson, was a student of Guro Dan Inosanto. I’m quite familiar with your system and have a great deal of respect for it.
Your video has done an excellent job of explaining the origins of American Kenpo. I appreciate your addressing the controversy over the spelling (kenpo/kempo).
Please keep the videos coming. Good job!!!
I recently learned that Sijo Emporado was a 5th degree black belt under Chow when SGM Ed Parker began his training. and SGM Ed Parker was promote to 8th degree by Sijo Emporado. I know you have mentioned the connection between American Kenpo and Kajukenbo. I'm wondering if we don't need a deep dive into the connection and the philosophy of these people. We need videos on chow and mitose. We are all waiting literally everyone in America. Thank you.
First of all, great video and presentation. That said, I practice Kenpo, if I didn't, this video would make me want to. One thing I will add, in the ranks: 10th degree is a grandmaster, not senior master. S.G.M. Ed Parker was the only person with a 10th that was called Senior GrandMaster and Founder of the system (directly taken from the Encyclopedia of Kenpo). I look forward to your next video. Salute.
Right on that you knew that . Much respect !
I studied under Kyoshi Steve Lavallee from 1986 to 1991 and remember the day Grandmaster Ed Parker died. Like others in the system of Kenpo; I got discouraged by the art and then took an education karate program at college that was based in Washin-Ryu. Over the years, I studied in a variety of martial arts and combat sports and received my rank in Budo. As I grew older and learned more, I learned the value in my original training in American Kenpo. One of the instructors at my dojo is a Nidan in American Kenpo; receiving it from our mutual instructor Kyoshi Steve Lavallee. The art of American Kenpo is fluid. My Sensei - Hanshi Stuart Gray once said "make the martial arts your own" which goes back to the basic principles of Grandmaster Ed Parker - learn the science and principles, and do what works for you. Thank you for the video. Feel free to reach out to me. Blessings; Renshi Chris Sackett - 4th Dan - Budo.
One of the best videos I've seen on Kenpo and the most in-depth.
i studied Taekwondo and aikido and have always thought Kenpo was cool but non realistic but watching this video changed my mind i always loved jeff speakman and now i see why he is so good Ed parker was a really good teacher im not sure if its good in a street fight but as a black belt in my forms 4th Dan and 6th dan i know that kata or forms or 1 steps are the last things you would try in a fight but as the man said its like shadow boxing so all in all good practice.
Bruce lee adapted a lot of it
Absolutely superb. Very well done, and very respectful to all branches of the art.
Very cool. Thanks for the history lesson. My Sensei learned Kenpo during those early days. Along with other styles. Came up with two styles. Chosen Ryu Karate. And Ronin Kai kenpo. Was great to hear all the stuff we do too. Point of origin, economy of motion, SDS interpreted in the ideal and other situations. Never hear any other schools teaching these things.
I’m about to be a police trainee soon and I’m thinking about learning Kenpo Karate to go along with my law enforcement career.
I love American Kenpo for the never ending possibilities and ever evolution.