- Kenpō
Infobox martial art
logo =
logocaption =
logosize =
imagecaption =
imagesize =
name = Kenpō
aka =Chinese Martial Arts ,Kempo ,Quan fa ,Ryukyu Kempo
hardness =
focus = Empty handed striking and stand upgrappling
country = flagicon|Chinaflagicon|Japanflagicon|Ryūkyū Kingdom|1429China ,Japan , andRyukyu
creator =
parenthood =Kung Fu ,Karate ,Jujutsu
famous_pract =James Mitose ,Shigeru Nakamura
Olympic = no
website =Chinese
c=拳法
p=quánfǎ
w=ch'üan2 fa3
kanji=拳法
hiragana=けんぽう
revhep=kenpō
tradhep=kempō
kunrei=kenpônihongo|Kenpō|拳法 is the name of severalmartial arts . The word kenpō is a Japanese translation of the Chinese word "quánfǎ". This term is often informallytransliterated as "kempo," as a result of applying Traditional Hepburn romanization (which provides for use of the letter "m" when ん precedes alabial consonant such as "p"), but failing to use amacron to indicate the long vowel. The generic nature of the term combined with its widespread, cross-cultural adoption in the martial arts community has led to many divergent definitions.Japanese Usage
In
Japanese martial arts , kenpō is used to designateChinese martial arts , (much as the termkung fu is used in English-speaking countries), somekoryu jujutsu styles as well as severalgendai budo such asShorinji Kempo andNippon Kempo . The "m" romanization is often preferred when describing such arts in a Japanese context to avoid confusion with terms romanized as "kenpō" in thegovernment of Japan and some forms ofkenjutsu , such as that practiced within theBujinkan . The various arts that are called "kenpō" or "kempo" in Japan do not necessarily share any lineage, theory or technical corpus.Hawaiian and American Kenpō
Kenpō has also been appropriated as a modern term: a name for multiple martial arts that developed in
Hawaii due to cross-cultural exchange between practitioners ofRyukyuan martial arts ,Chinese martial arts ,Japanese martial arts and multiple additional influences. In theUnited States , kenpo is often referred to as "Kenpo Karate". The most widespread styles have their origin in the teachings ofJames Mitose andWilliam Kwai Sun Chow . Mitose was nominally Chow's senior, but the true nature and extent of their relationship is controversial. This lineage also includesKajukenbo , an art that does not use the kenpō name itself, but which possesses recognized offshoots that do. These arts have spread around the world through multiple lineages, not all of which agree on a common historical narrative. Notable styles such asKajukenbo andAmerican Kenpo employ linear and circular movements with a signature "rapid fire" combination of blows to vital areas of the body.Okinawan/Ryukyuan Usage
Some
Okinawan martial arts groups use the term kenpō as an alternate name for theirkarate system or for a distinct but related art within their association. American karate practitioners have also adopted the term, sometimes using it to describe a form that is purportedly older, more authentic or possessed of secret teachings such aspressure point attacks. The authenticity of these claims are controversial. Both the "n" and "m" romanizations are used by various groups.References
* [http://www.kenpokarate.com/ History of Kenpo Karate]
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.