KEMPO 拳法 (けんぽう)

Kempo is one of Ju jitsu(also known as jujutsu) from Japan. But It’s rather as unfamous as Aikido, Judo or other Japan Martial Arts which are categorized Jujutsu/Ju jitsu.  Kempo is a Japanese word which means ’ way of the fist’. Kempo also known in Chinese as 拳法 (Quan fa).

Just for informing you guys, Kempo is a name for multiple martial arts. It’s a collective name for numerous extractions of the martial art and science that involves logical hand and leg techniques.

Below I’ll show you the differences of them  and where they come from (sources):

1. Tenshin Koryu Kempo is a martial art which had created since hundreds of years before the Tokugawa period (Meiji Era). Last great sensei is Ueno Takashi. Tenshin Koryu Kempo Martial Art is derived from a combination of Jujutsu Shinto Tenshin-ryu, weaponry & no weaponry techniques of Asayama Ichiden-ryu and Shinto Muso-ryu Daken Taijutsu stances with Hontai Kijin Kukishinden Chosui-ryu Daken Taijutsu. One of the inheritors of this source  is the grandmaster Tanemura shoto-sensei of Genbukan Dojo.
2. Nihon Kempo is a modern martial art, created by Master Masaru Sawayama-sensei. It’s a unique self-defence technique which’s combined with kick-strokes techniques from Karate and with dings and struggle techniques of Judo and Jujutsu. Nowaday, it becomes a popular sport in many countries.
3. Kosho-Ryu Kempo is a martial art which’s handed down from the Mitose family. Last Grandmaster of this source is Masayoshi Mitose-sensei which was then Mitose-sensei  teached his knowledge to his American students. Then it’s known as American Kenpo Karate.
4. Shorinji Kempo is a martial art originated from ancient China (another sources I got, this Martial art is originated from India where The 28^th Darma Taishi lived, then he moved to China), created by Bodhidharma / Dharma Taishi / Tatmo Cowsu, a Buddhist monk, to be provided to candidates bikhsu as a religious education in Zen Buddhism, in the year 550 AD, then spread by So Doshin after World War 2.

Shorinji Kempo (no. 4), is the one I practice.  At my Dojo (named Prima Bara Dojo),  I knew that the main force in Kempo cored on the strength of hip. Remember this, in Kempo “Hip is the point of strength”.

All Kenshi are taught to attack using Kick (Geri) or punch ( Zuki), and to defence (uke).  But don’t get me wrong, ‘cause kempo is almost same with Aikido.  We apply Goho & Juho Techniques only if we are attacked. We’re not allowed to attack first, without any exceptions. In Addition, Gamae (stances) are theprecious things also. As Gamae affect your movements. Don’t forget this one.

P.S : Apparently, Filling the first entry on blog is not easy . It needs a long time to choose a good title & its contents, and how to make it looks interesting. But somebody told me that to write something good is not always looked from the title or the contents, but how you can create your stories in a good composition and a good manner.

 Next Entry, I’ll try to explain more detail about Shoriji Kempo. Tschüss !