Karate Styles: American Kenpo Karate
Submitted by
staff on Sat, 08/15/2009 at 12:32pm.
American Kenpo Karate is a style of karate founded in the United States by Ed Parker. Kenpo karate focuses on self-defense and is marked by its rapid movements in quick succession, meant to bombard an opponent. American kenpo is a blend of Southern Chinese Kung Fu and Hawaiian martial arts. Kenpo karate is a personalized style of martial arts and is up to interpretation by each instructor.
The creed of American Kenpo is the following quote by Ed Parker, the founded of American Kenpo: "I come to you with only my Karate, my empty hands. I have no weapons, but should I be forced to defend myself, my principles or my honor; should it be a matter of life or death, of right or wrong; then here are my weapons, Karate, my empty hands."
Parker began teaching his interpretations of Chinese Kenpo by 1954 and modified many of the Asian terms, symbols, and interpretations to meet his own, more americanized needs. Parker viewed this as an art to create his new Kenpo Karate. His art was constantly changing, and different students learned different techniques depending on when they studied with him. This is why Kenpo is a personal sport and art, up to personal interpretation of every student and instructor.
Kenpo Karate follows a traditional belt system: white, yellow, orange, purple, blue, green, brown, and black-- with three levels of brown and ten levels of black. The most well-known student of American Kenpo Karate is Elvis Presley.
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