Kenpo may also refer to the Constitution of Japan (憲法) Kenpo or Kempo (拳法 Kenpō; lit. fist law) is written with the characters 拳(Ken) and 法(Po). In Japanese, however, when a 'n' precedes a 'p', the 'n' sound changes to an 'm'. Therefore, according to the Hepburn system of Romaji, which is the most widely-used form, the correct English spelling would be the phonetic one, "Kempo". Kempo itself is a common Japanese term for martial arts in general that is the translation of the Chinese quán fǎ (or ch'üan fa), meaning "fist principles", "fist law", or "Law of the Fist." Kempo in the West In the West, Kenpo is mostly known as a mixed style based partially on Karate (and sometimes called 'Kenpo Karate'). In Japan, Kenpo can refer to a large number of different (and mostly unrelated) systems of martial arts, mostly stemming from families in the feudal period - the term Kenpo being used as an abbreviation, since the names are long. Western Kenpo styles (known by their use of the black uniform), can trace their lineage partly to the controversial James M. Mitose, a Hawaiian born Japanese who taught several students in the late 1930s and early 1940s. This version of Kenpo falls into the category of mixed martial arts that have a basis in Karate, and incorporate Shaolin Quan and/or Kickboxing. Today, most practitioners of kenpo in America have been trained in one version or another of the Ed Parker system, which traces its origins back through William Chow as well as James Mitose. It is said by its practitioners that Kenpo follows much of the same path as Chinese martial arts, but in order to shorten the amount of time to train a person, methods from Karate were used as the basis to quickly allow a person to learn the basics, and techniques. As it often takes 10 to 20 years of continuous effort to master one form of kung fu, Kenpo practitioners often can be black belted in around 3 to 5 years, depending on the instructor. Normal Karate usually focuses on linear attacks and blocks, or straight moves, with power being more important than learning separate techniques. Kenpo emphasizes more circular moves, such as the hook, or the uppercut as main attack methods. Western Kenpo has more grappling and throws than Karate. Both Karate and Western Kenpo use kata, but Kenpo kata tend to have more techniques to them, with an emphasis on multiple hits. These multiple strikes are sequenced to demonstrate cause and effect. An opponent hit by a strike will react in a predictable way, which means that the next strike can be reasonably predetermined. This leads to long and involved sequences of strikes in the kenpo katas. Due to the length of the techniques, and their brutality, kenpo is sometimes referred to as the art of over-kill. It should also be noted that while most kicks in karate come from the side, Kenpo will often utilize kicks that come straight up and forward. Partial List of Styles and Systems: Mitose and Chow Lineage: International Kenpo Karate Society Kosho Shorei Kenpo also known as Kosho Ryu Kenpo Chi Lin Kempo Chinese Kenpo AKKA (American Kenpo Karate Academy) Wu Shen Pai Kenpo Karaho Kenpo AKKI (American Kenpo Karate International) American Kenpo SubLevel Four Kenpo Shaolin Kenpo (Castro) Professor Nick Cerio's Kenpo Christopher N. Geary's Shaolin Kempo Karate Getsu Yama Ryu Kenpo (Chamberlain) Shaolin Kempo Karate (Villari) Kanzen Kenpo Kajukenbo Tracy Kenpo Kiyojute Ryu Kempo Karazenpo Cerio Kenpo CHA3 Worldwide Kenpo Karate Asociation Zen Bu Kan Kempo Karate (popular in Australia & Hungary) Other Shorinji Kempo Ryukyu Kempo (Okinawan) Okinawan Kenpo Shorinji Tetsu Kempo (Kanda-ha) Shorinji Toraken Ryu Sogo Kempo Jutsu Shaolin Chuan Faes:Kenpō Search Term: "Kenpo" Categories: Kenpo | Japanese martial arts