Kenpo-Kempo is pronounce Kempo and roughly translates to; Law of the Fist. Kenpo is a generic term that usually refers to systems the are of Japanese-Okinawan origins that stems for the Chinese martial art of Chuan Fa (also spelled Quan Fa), which also has a similar translation. It’s considered by most as an eclectic style and is comprised of several sub-styles and systems.

There are essentially two divisions of styles in Kenpo.

1. Traditional/Classical – Essentially, the traditional systems are very close to traditional Karate or Jujutsu and may find many of the traditional katas and techniques of those styles. Kosho Ryu, Okinawan and Ryukyu Kempo is a good example of a traditional system. Shorinji Kempo is also amongst the styles that is considered traditional Japanese martial art.
2. Modern/Eclectic/Westernized – Most of the styles and systems that are taught in this category group stem from the systems that has a link to the Chow lineage of Kenpo. These are systems essential stem from Hawaii and many have left the path of tradition in order to address more current self defense needs. Some of these systems include American Kenpo, Tracy Kenpo, Kajukenbo, Sholin Kenpo/Kempo and others. Many of these systems also call themselves Kenpo Karate or Kempo Karate.

Generic Style Names:

As it states in the overview Kenpo is a generic term for Japanese/Okinawan martial arts with a chinese influence. However, there are some generic terms for style names that you will see come up every so often that will give you a hint of what the origins of the style is. I will cover some if these terms from the most common uses. Which means that as there is no rule book for Kenpo, there will be variations to these terms from person to person and system to system. What will be described here is the majority and covers generic terms only.

• Kempo Jujutsu (also used are Jutsu, Jitsu, JuJitsu)- The term Jutsu is usually used to reflect a system of Japanese origins. For the most part, the term will be used for one of the following.
  • The majority of the systems that use this term are systems that are derived from Kosho Ryu Kempo (Mitose’s system).
  • To add to the confusion, some systems use this term that combine aspects of Kempo or Karate with Jujutsu.

• Kempo/Kenpo Karate – It was William Chow who is credited with being the first to use the term to describe his style. So for the most part, styles that uses that term has a lineage to Chow. Although Kenpo and Kempo are just two spelling variations that means the same thing (like Jujutsu and JuJitsu; Kung Fu and Gong Fu), over time the spelling variations have come to mean something different.
  • Kempo Karate – This spelling variation is used as a generic term for the systems that come from the Chow lineage. Also, it should be noted on rare occasions, the term is used by those that has lineage to Motobu’s Okinawan/Ryukyu Kempo.
  • Kenpo Karate – This spelling variation is used as a generic term for the systems coming from the Ed Parker lineage. That includes all styles and off-shoots.

• Chinese Kempo/Kenpo – Same thing as the above description of Kempo/Kenpo Karate. Usually used to reference a stronger focus on the Chinese side of the art. Again the spelling variations may mean something different again.
  • Chinese Kempo – Same as Kempo Karate
  • Chinese Kenpo – While Kenpo Karate is a generic term for all Parker lineage systems, Chinese Kenpo is more specific. Usually systems that teach Parker Kenpo, pre-American Kenpo, use this term. American Kenpo went through an evolution during its development. During the 1960’s to some time in the 1970’s, Parker’s Kenpo was influenced by the Chinese martial arts. Hence those people who still teach variations of that older system, use that term to describe their art.

• Shaolin Kempo/Kenpo – Although there are actual systems that this name derives from (Villari’s Shaolin Kempo and Castro’s Shaolin Kenpo) the term is on it’s way to becoming generic itself. Although not that common, I’ve run into into systems that has no lineage to either systems that use this term. The common denominator appears to be that these styles have added Shaolin Kung Fu animal styles (tiger, snake, dragon, crane, and etc) into their curriculum.

Well that’s it for now. This article may be updated to add other generic Kenpo style names as I run into them.