The Chinese characters representing kempo or kenpo are pronounced Chuan (fist) Fa (way or method). The Japanese, who use the Chinese characters, translate them as Ken (sword or fist) and Ho (method). The characters are written phonetically as kenpo and pronounced as kempo. It is therefore not surprising that, alongside the official spelling kenpo, the spelling kempo has also become widely established.
The way of the fist refers to the martial art, which uses both hands and feet and originated in China. The Shaolin and Wu Dan monasteries are often mentioned as places where the martial art underwent its greatest development. Centuries ago, 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 by the term Kuntao.
Introduction of Kempo in the Netherlands
After Indonesia gained independence in 1949, many Dutch Indonesians 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 origins of this martial art. After its introduction in the Netherlands, Shaolin Kempo was 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 was via Japan. This form of kempo is called Okinawa Kempo. Kempo was also introduced to the United States via Hawaii in the 1950s and developed by Ed Parker into a unique style known as Kenpo Karate.
Characteristics of Kempo
A characteristic shared by all kempo styles and schools is that the kempoka uses their hands, arms, legs, and feet to defend against attacks. A counterattack often follows immediately after a defense, with punches, strikes, kicks, locks, and throws all possible. Techniques are executed using the whole body and are not limited to a movement of the arm or leg. The fight often starts at long to medium range (leg or arm’s length), but can transition into close-quarters combat (grappling and locks), continue with a throw or sweep, and ultimately end on the ground.
An attack is not met with force but avoided by turning or stepping out of its path. Elements of animal styles can often 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.
