The Chinese characters that stand for kempo or kenpo are pronounced as 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 phonetically written as kenpo and pronounced as kempo. It is not surprising that alongside the official spelling kenpo, the spelling kempo has also become established.
The way of the fist represents the martial art, which uses both hands and feet and originates in China. The Shaolin and Wu Dan monasteries are often mentioned as the places where the martial art underwent its greatest development. Centuries ago, the knowledge of 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 blended with indigenous martial arts such as Pencak Silat in Indonesia, where Chinese martial arts are referred to as Kuntao.
Introduction of Kempo in the Netherlands
After Indonesia’s independence in 1949, many Indonesian Dutch returned to the Netherlands and brought their knowledge of Indonesian Kuntao (Kun Tau) with them. A handful of grandmasters introduced Indonesian kuntao 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 origin of this martial art. After its introduction in the Netherlands, Shaolin Kempo partly blended with other Eastern martial arts such as karate and judo. Many schools use Japanese names for techniques.
Another route through which kempo was introduced in the Netherlands comes via Japan. This form of kempo is called Okinawa Kempo. Kempo was also introduced in the 1950s to the United States via Hawaii and developed by Ed Parker into a completely unique form called Kenpo Karate.
Characteristics of Kempo
Characteristic of all kempo styles and schools is that the kempoka uses both hands, arms, legs, and feet to defend against attacks. Often a counterattack immediately follows a defense, with punches, strikes, kicks, locks, and throws all possible. Techniques are applied from the body and are not limited to a movement with just an arm or leg. The fight often starts at long to medium distance (leg or arm’s length), but can transition into close-range combat (grappling and locking), continue with a throw or sweep, and ultimately end on the ground.
The attack is not blocked forcefully but avoided by turning or stepping out of the attack’s path. Often, elements of animal styles can be recognized in kempo, such as the dragon, tiger, crane, snake, and leopard. Both low and high stances are part of a kempoka’s repertoire.
