The history of Kenpo Karate starts with a man named Senior Grand Master Ed Parker. Mr. Parker’s efforts in pioneering the infant stages of Kenpo were vital in the development of Karate in America over forty years ago. Mr. Parker being from Hawaii was greatly influenced by the Chinese philosophies and concepts of the martial arts. Still he saw that there was something that needed change or improvement (if you will) with what he was practicing. He was in his earlier years of his training when he realized this need for modification. He took a lot of the tradition, and replaced it with more logical, scientific, and realistic explanations of combat today. In doing this Mr. Parker perhaps in-directly developed his own system of the arts that we study today.

Although no two martial arts systems are exactly alike. Mr. Parker saw that there was a need for clarification for those who are unaware of the relationships between the different systems. Although differences remain between the three, Judo, Jiu-Jitsu and Aikido have one similarity; they are forms of WRESTLING in the Orients. Karate, Kung Fu, KENPO, are Oriental forms of BOXING.

Karate means empty hands, and is a term used by the Japanese to describe their systems. Their movements have a great emphasis on power, and are linear in movement. Tae-kwon-do is Korean art, and its name is used to describe their way of movement (i.e. kicking). Kung Fu is a term used by Western Chinese to describe the Chinese fighting system. Kung-fu practitioners flow and are circular in their movement.

The exact history of Kenpo Karate is unclear. It has been distorted in the passing of time, and for that reason, we cannot exactly be sure of the date of origin. Many of the records that exist today are unclear, incomplete, or incorrect. Although bits of information seem to indicate that Kenpo, might have been studied in India and China near five thousand years ago. There have been turtle shells found that tell us the Chinese did practice Kenpo as far back as 21 B.C.

In 1923 there came a change to the characters of Karate due to the Okinawans. The characters originally written in Chinese were converted to that of a Japanese writing. The meaning then changed from "Hands of China" (the Chinese version) to "Empty Hands" (the Japanese version). This changed the meaning greatly. The spiritual now overcame the physical.

In China there were several arts long before Kenpo. They all had their own distinct move or technique, i.e. Iron Fist, Tiger Claw, the “Crane”. These techniques were guarded carefully by their practitioners. In any case there was a very distinct line drawn between each art and each practitioner. You were either one style or the other. Rarely was there any middle ground.

There are Cantonese as well as Northern styles. The Northern systems concentrated more on floor tumbling or the use of the feet. Also they emphasized jumping. There was in turn, very little emphasis on strong stances. The Southern styles concentrated more on stances as well as the hands.

The Japanese too have modified their systems within the last fifty years in order to claim styles of their own. These styles include Shoto-Kan, Waddo-Ryu, Chito-Ryu, and many others. This holds true with the Koreans as well. They now claim styles such as Tae-kwon-do and Tang-Soo-Do. However, regardless of modifications that were developed by each nation, and adapted for their own environments, there are four major systems exist in the orients today: Chinese, Okinawan, Korean, and Japanese.

All of these things that have been described in the paragraphs above were designed for their own specific purposes. There is no versatility. Everything is rigid. They are impractical for modern day combat. This may be due to the fact that many of these styles were originally formed as a means of exercise rather than self-defense. And the most unfortunate thing about it is that most of these systems do not recognize the need for change, even in our ever-changing environment. Although some of the ideas are still very valid and can be useful in today’s environment, the others that we cannot (in modern day combat) utilize out weigh that of which we can.

These same styles of which I write, migrated to the Hawaiian Islands. Mr. Parker, a native to Hawaii, acquired these principals from one of the most recognized Black Belt of his time, the late William K.S. Chow.

Mr. Chow’s modifications to the arts gave way for Mr. Parker’s soon to be ideas. His ideas would eventually lead him to the conclusion that there was the need to revise the old ways and adapt them to fit in with modern day fighting. The result was a realistic, practical, and applicable method of fighting today’s opponent. This same system also teaches practical logic versus philosophy, reasoning versus tradition, and theories that are yet to be integrated by other styles. This system is preserved today through Mr. Parkers students.

Because of these modifications, Mr. Parker created what would soon
be known and accepted as the “Fifth” major system…… The “AMERICAN” system: KENPO KARATE.