American Kenpo Karate

Due to the scarcity of authentic written records, the exact origin of the Martial Arts is obscure. Most Historians agree some form of Martial Arts was practiced in China as early as 1000 B.C. In dealing with Ancient Martial Art History we must rely partially on legend, keeping in mind that legends, however exaggerated, have some basis in fact. Our most reliable information comes to us from Buddhist inspired Martial Arts such as those practiced at the Shaolin Temples. Records indicate that Bodhidharma, an Indian Priest, traveled from India to China sometime around 525 A.D. His purpose was to transmit the discipline of Zen to China and integrate those idea's with the already existing Buddhist Doctrines.

Bodhidharma, the 28th descendant of the original Buddha, became Abbot of the Shaolin Temple in Honan Province shortly after his arrival in China. Legend tells us that when he arrived at the Temple he found the monks to be in a state of physical decay and unable to withstand the prolonged periods of meditation which were essential to the practice of Zen Buddhism. Accordingly Bodhidharrna instituted a series of 18 exercises, similar In nature to Hatha Yoga in an attempt to improve the physical condition of the monks. The exact nature of the "18 Hands of the Lo Han" as the exercises were called Is unknown. We do know however that they consisted of breathing, stretching, bending and reaching. These exercises apparently were the catalyst for the creation of other physical disciplines used to further the spiritual development of the Zen Buddhists. Prior to Bodhidharma's arrival, meditation was practiced as a purely mental discipline. Afterwards it became much more successful as a combination of physical and mental in keeping with the Doctrine of Yin and Yang.

Bodhidharma probably never intended his exercises to take on a martial attitude and they did not until several hundred years after his death. The reason for this new attitude was probably attributable to political unrest together with increased lawlessness. In any event, the next appreciable contribution occurred in the 18th century when a Shaolin monk called Ch'ueh Vuen expended the original 18 exercises into 72 and began practicing them as a self-defense art. Later he left the temple end traveled extensively throughout China in search of other Martial Art masters to confer with. Ch'ueh Vuen probably obtained techniques and ideas from many different sources. We know that he met two masters, one named Fong and an old man named Li Shao. Together the three men returned to the Shaolin Temple and expanded the 72 movements into 170 and categorized them into five distinct styles: Tiger, Dragon, Crane, Serpent and Leopard. The three men also advanced a set of moral and ethical principles to govern their practice. These five styles formed the basis of the art of Shaolin Chu'an Fa also known as the "Five Forms Fist." Later other styles were added.

Many stories relate to the training procedures at the temple which were apparently quite severe. In order to attain Priesthood, one had to undergo a series of deadly tests ending with the moving of a heavy metal urn filled with red hot coals. Carved into two sides of the urn were reproductions of a tiger and a dragon. In order to move the urn the disciple was required to hug the hot urn with his forearms and lift it and move it, leaving his arms branded with the tiger and the dragon, the marks of the Shaolln Priest.

For many years the Shoalin fighting arts were practiced in utmost secrecy. Masters were afraid that the techniques would fail into hands that would use the potentially deadly art for purposes other than what was originally intended. Many factors contributed to the eventual spread of the Martial Arts. Buddhist missionaries to Japan, Korea and Indonesia took their arts with them. Students sometimes left the Temple prematurely and passed on what knowledge they had. But the main factor was the ruthless domination of the Manchu Emperor. Secret societies were formed for the purpose of restoring the Ming Dynasty to power and overthrowing the Barbarian Manchus. Most Chan Buddhists were Anti-Manchu and many temples were training grounds for Pro-Ming revolutionaries. On several occasions the Manchus destroyed temples in an effort to stomp out resistance. Fleeing monks undoubtedly carried many secrets with them which were eventually spread all over China.

Modern Martial Arts History is much easier to follow. During the 18th century China and Japan were engaged in trade both material and cultural. At that time a senior member of the Mitose Clan of Japan traveled to China to study the Martial Arts at the Shoalin Temple where he remained for many years. Upon his return to Japan he introduced the Art of Chu'an Fa which he called Kenpo (Japanese for "Way of the Fist").

The Art was practiced and passed down in the Mitose line until James Mitose, who lived in Hawaii in 1940, began teaching publicly. One of his students, William Chow, who also studied Martial Arts from his own family, took over teaching the classes. Chow in turn taught a young Hawaiian named Edmund Parker who eventually developed Kenpo into the art we know and practice today.

Developed by Senior Grandmaster Edmund Kealoha Parker, American Kenpo is the most comprehensive martial arts system in the world today. Recognized as the undisputed "Father" of American Karate, Senior Grandmaster Parker and his pioneering efforts were vital in introducing Karate to America, over fifty years ago.

American Kenpo was influenced by the Chinese arts of which Senior Grandmaster Parker revised to cope with modern day fighting. The need for new innovations was realized years ago by Senior Grandmaster Parker during his early years of training. While growing up in Hawaii, he analyzed the methods of fighting and saw the unquestionable need for an updated version of the Martial Arts. Breaking the bonds of tradition, he experimented with more logical and practical means of combating our modern day methods of fighting - thus emerging with his own innovations of the Art.

In addition to Professor Chow's modifications, Senior Grandmaster Parker has also realized the need to revise the old methods to cope with modern day fighting. Thus the system he now teaches is unique, practical, realistic, applicable and encompasses sound logic, reasoning, and theoretical innovations not yet employed by other systems. Through Senior Grandmaster Parker's innovations, a fifth system has emerged - the American System - to be more specific "The Parker System of Kenpo."

Although we should respect the various styles of Kenpo stemming from the Orient, we must not overlook their need for improvement. While Senior Grandmaster Parker's system still retains traditional flavor to enhance ethical behavior, it has been designed to fit the needs and ability of the individual concerned.

Senior Grandmaster Parker's dedication to evolve the Kenpo system to the present direction of American Kenpo was without peer in the American martial arena. Standing for function verses form, Senior Grandmaster Parker was able to blend and unite the two energies together to begin a new tradition based upon logical geometry and physics with continuous perpetuation to evolve the American Kenpo System.

Grandmaster Michael Robert Pick began is studies with Senior Grandmaster Parker at the age of ten in Pasadena, California. Grandmaster Pick cleaned Senior Grandmaster Parker's school for lessons up to the age of sixteen. On March 19, 1965, Senior Grandmaster Parker removed his personal belt from around his waist and promoted Michael Robert Pick to Black Belt. Grandmaster Pick has the honor and distinction of being the only student promoted with Senior Grandmaster Parker's own personal belt. Grandmaster Pick is a first generation Black Belt of Senior Grandmaster Parker.

Grandmaster Pick had the equal and rare opportunity to study under the guidance of Grandmaster Tuumamao "Tino" Tuiolosega. Founder of the Limalama Arts of Self Defense. Grandmaster Tuiolosega is legendary in the martial world and taught Grandmaster Pick how to fight. Grandmaster Tuiolosega conducted the ceremony of Grandmaster Pick's acceptance of second Grandmaster of American Kenpo. Today the relationship between Grandmaster Tuiolosega and Grandmaster Pick continues to be very close. Grandmaster Pick considers Grandmaster Tuiolosega as "Big Brother".

Grandmaster Pick is the Founder & Senior Teaching Black Belt of the Universal Kenpo Federation, leading the Universal Kenpo Federation of individuals to perpetuate the American Kenpo system.

American Kenpo is a system designed by the modern warrior for the modern warrior. American Kenpo is based on the laws of the universe, which are best explained through geometry and physics. American Kenpo is body domination through space and achieved with physical mass engagement. The American Kenpo Student must learn to dominate their own body and the space it occupies. Space consists of three dimensions; height, depth and width. Dimensions never change, only exchange and two dimensions equal a diagonal.

Through the use of the conscious phenomena of sight, sound, smell, taste and touch, the warrior assimilates this phenomena into a thought process creating mental awareness. Once a tactical area of response has been established with subjective, objective and collective peripheral engagement, the Eight Consideration are: environment, range, positions, maneuvers, targets, blocks & strikes, weapons and cover.

Starting with an erect carriage with a vertical spinal ring, the Four Rings principle an be applied to create a personal physical range of motion for the student. By using the Universal Diagram as a visual tool, the student begins to understand the Center of Articulation and the four articulating centers create variable expansion which are encompassed within the outer rim.

Twelve Points of Consideration now become the predominant factor in physical mass engagement. In order to move the mass you must engage the mass with proper physical mass distribution and anatomical alignment. Mass times acceleration equals force with synergistic engagement being a combination of gravitational, inertial and rotational engagements of mass.

Stances in motion become maneuvers for physical mass engagement utilizing the Twelve Points of Consideration into blocks & strikes. Spinal ring penetration is essential to controlled physical mass engagement. The physical stages to controlled engagement are: Out of Range, In Range, Contact Penetration, Impact Manipulation, Contact Manipulation, Contact Maintenance, Contact Release and Physical Extraction.

By conjoining embryonic basics into sophisticated basics, American Kenpo is a battle proven system for modern self-defense.

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