The Chinese characters that stand for kempo or kenpo are pronounced Chuan (fist) Fa (way or method). The Japanese, who use the Chinese characters, translate the characters as Ken (sword or fist) and Ho (method). The characters are written phonetically as kenpo and pronounced as kempo. It is not surprising that in addition to the official spelling kenpo, the spelling kempo has also become established.
The Way of the Fist represents the martial art that uses both hands and feet, which originated in China. The Shaolin and Wu Dan monasteries are often mentioned as the places where the martial art has undergone its greatest development. Centuries ago, knowledge about this martial art spread to surrounding areas such as the island of Okinawa (Japan) and Indonesia. In these countries the martial art was further developed and mixed with indigenous martial arts such as Pencak Silat in Indonesia, where Chinese martial art is referred to by the term Kuntao.
Introduction of Kempo in the Netherlands
After the independence of Indonesia in 1949, many Indonesian Dutch returned to the Netherlands and brought their knowledge of Indonesian Kuntao (Kun Tau) with them to the Netherlands. A handful of grandmasters have introduced Indonesian kunstao in the Netherlands. Under the leadership of grandmasters Faulhaber and Meijers, the art became known in the Netherlands as Shaolin Kempo, referring to the distant origins of this martial art. After its introduction in the Netherlands, Shaolin Kempo was partly mixed with other Eastern martial arts such as karate and judo. Many schools use Japanese names for techniques.
Another route along which Kempo was introduced in the Netherlands is via Japan. This form of kempo is called Okinawa Kempo. Kempo was also introduced in the United States via Hawaii in the 1950s and developed by Ed Parker into its own form, called Kenpo Karate.
features of Kempo
Characteristic of all Kempo styles and movements is that the Kempoka uses his hands, arms, legs and feet to ward off attacks. A counterattack often follows directly after a defense, where punches, blows, kicks, clamps and throws are possible. Techniques are used from the body and are not limited to a movement with an arm or leg. The fight often starts at a long to medium distance (leg or arm's length), but can progress into a close-range fight (grab and lock) and continue with a throw or a swipe, eventually ending on the ground.
The attack is not strongly blocked, but avoided by turning or stepping out of the path of the attack. Elements of animal styles can often be recognized in Kempo, such as the dragon, tiger, crane, snake and leopard. Both low and high positions are part of a Kempoka's repertoire.
