I have to say Jeff Speakman's Kenpo is right on time! His students rock! He should be the ambassador of Kenpo because he is the most famous and knows the art well.

Hey Mr Dan. As a Kajukembo black belt, I thank you for the mention of Sijo Adriano Emperado. May great martial arts systems and practitioners came out of the Mitose & Chow schools.

Finding the American Kenpo 5.0 school near me was like finding the holy grail. Wanted to study kenpo since the 1990s when I first saw Perfect Weapon. And I can atest to the international reach of Kenpo 5.0 as I train in Brisbane Australia.

I do gotta say, Mr Speakman is great for being open minded to incorporate something outside their own art.

incredible.I practice Kenpo 5.0 and it really is the most complete system for a person who likes and loves martial arts

Loving the videos. I myself am a Tracy's kenpo practitioner and i do love my style but am not above learning from other systems of kenpo. I don't believe that any style of kenpo is better than the other only which style is best for you. My instructor Mark Tracy tells me that there's no wrong way or better of kenpo only different. It would be great if every kenpo student, instructors, masters and grandmasters would remember that no matter what style we study that it comes from the same roots and traditions and striving for similar goals.

Jeff Speakman introduced the art of American Kenpo to many, including myself. It has become a life long journey I continue to enjoy to this day. I study New Concepts Kenpo or NC Kenpo. In NC Kenpo all our techniques are taught two ways, defensive and offensive. They are further broken into hard control and a soft control using sub level four as a soft control. We incorporate weapon’s training including the sticks, knife , tactical tomahawk and finally taught gun tactics such as clearing a room etc. NC Kenpo is only taught in small private classes . Not for the average person looking for a karate class but rather a college of modern Kenpo.

I was second degree black belt student under Rick Gibbons who was a master student under master Bill Packer. I have witnessed so much infighting in Kenpo over the years and this video was so refreshing to watch in its all inclusiveness to the system/art.

Brave dive into the politics. I started but Tracy Kenpo and then switched to Parker. I've been a Parker practitioner now for 20 years. During that time I've also seeked out other styles of martial arts including Jujitsu and then jitsu. I believe all styles of martial arts are related. The basic premise and every system is the same. Don't get hit and keep yourself safe. If a different style has a more efficient way of teaching that basic principle, I will happily integrate it into my Kenpo.

My Kenpo training since 1975 had been focused on punches kicks knees elbows, no overkill dramatized techniques. Whirlwind of destruction. We all have different sizes and weight so all these body weapons move differently but same effectiveness. All we had was white brown and black belt ranking. Was only called Kenpo Karate and as i was taught i still teach.

I'm really enjoying this particular series, for personal reasons. I was fortunate enough to attend the first ever Spirit Camp, and I think the attempt to bridge the divide between different styles/eras/politics of kenpo was, at the time, unprecedented. The lineup was incredible: Mr. Trejo, Mr. Sepulveda, Mr. LaBounty, Mr. Duffy, Mr. Speakman, Mr. Planas - every single one of them humble and approachable. Here I am, a stupid yellow belt, and they're letting me armbar them! The camaraderie was amazing: When Mr. Speakman (in his cowboy boots) got up to say a few words, he encouraged us all to keep training, gave thanks to Mr. Parker, and even gave time to thank his prior instructor in Goju-ryu karate. It was a pretty amazing time.

Kenpo is an amazing art, I've trained a bit of Kosho Ryu Kenpo, implemented in the Kajukenbo method I practice, and the little bit of Kenpo un Kajukenbo.

I had just started Kenpo right before that movie came out. Boy was I ever proud to be apart of this art. I really miss it, especially when watching the Perfect Weapon. I would love to train again but the older style if possible. Someday.

I spent about 7 years (and was expelled from) practicing American Kenpo as a young man. I can only say the politics are real. I was arrested on a trumped up charge that was dropped but took a plea deal because I owned a bo staff (wooden staff) along with other wooden weapons taught at the school which were illegal in California. Even though I demonstrated alongside police officers, committed no crime other than owning Kenpo wooden weapons, given the organization perhaps thousands of dollars I was expelled to save face for a branch of the origination. I never sued, I was just a kid and I still feel very sad about it til this day. I'm happy the art is incorporating modern MMA elements into it. I kept out of jail because of the wooden weapons, got my police record sealed because I was just a kid. I suffered PTSD for about 15 years. I think I'm over it now.

I really enjoy your video on Kenpo history. I’ve been a practitioner for a long tine, since 1979, and I am really glad to see this type of information on Kenpo history. I thought that Al Tracy and Ed Parker made up their difference some time ago, before Ed Parker passed away. My instructor told about that. I get tired of bickering people over the martial arts, it teaches us self discipline, confidence, and develops respect and character. Learning from other systems will help us to realize the vast amount of ways to learning techniques and forms. Keep the videos coming.

Great video! We've become such a fractured community. Even the people training in the 2.0 system only struggle to come together and share a common goal. It would be amazing if we could unify and have the kind of community organization and support that Gracie Jiu Jitsu has.

Kenpo in any language is Kenpo. Beautiful.

My personal thoughts as one who has trained and loves American Kenpo is that if you don't question and constantly experement with techniques then you are not studying A K. Also if you do not seek knowledge from and study other disciplines you are not studying A K. You can spend a lifetime studying 1 or 2 techniques. Look at those techniques the eyes of other deciplines you are studying. Be both the attached and the attacker. How would a boxer or grappler react on either side. Understand both sides. Aggressively challenge your best defenses. This to me is how one technique can take a life time to begin to understand. And this is AK for me. All disciplines are important

IKKA formerly had 32 number system this was prior to the development of web of knowledge SGM Parker was constantly redeveloping his system. One of his students; Mr A.E. Vea (4th degree & VP of IKKA east coast circa1970) advised the Mr Parker amount of material under the 32 system was overwhelming for most students especially children (which was uncommon at that time) had challenges absorbing the Kenpo knowledge base. This information from from IKKA schools around the country contributed to SGM Parker updating his system to what student know to this day.

and tgen came the absolute pinacle of american kempo-MASTER KEN

GM Speakman fixed the only chinc in American kenpo. The ground game. I figured it out in 78 When I saw a JJ man defeat a karateka easily. Professor Jack S Johns of ATL Black belt academy Kudos Rest in Power. OSS

I like that you mention there’s politics in kempo because there are too many. I train a different kempo style but have American kempo friends and we can see some similarities in techniques and we all believe kempo should be united and not politicized. And I’ve def noticed in kempo teachers always want you to ask questions because it helps you better understand the system or techniques. Other styles other than bjj which does the same being wants students to ask questions aren’t very fond of students asking questions.

My Kenpo tradition comes from the legacy of Tomas Connor and Bill Packer. If you do any other videos, I hope that you mention their accomplishments. Mr Connor can be credited with the spread of Kenpo as he applied the business model for Ed Parker and the Tracy's in fact Traco was the organization between Tracy and Conor. And Mr Bill Packer was a significant force in bringing full contact fighting into the mma rhelm.. Mr Speakman approached Mr. Packer and attempted to absorb our schools, AKKA, after. Parkers passing. Mr. Packer laughed him out the door.

Extremely happy to hear you give a mention to Kajukenbo and Adriano and Joe Emperado!

When I started training in Kenpo I was a wrestler in high school. It was my junior year. The instructors let me spar their black belts but we were allowed to grapple. I was able to easily beat them. They had zero takedown defense. The cool thing is the instructors allowed me to train their students grappling because it was a huge hole in their fighting ability. They even made it a requirement to spar with me allowing me to use my grappling ability for their black belt testing. Even though coming into it as a high school wrestler and easily being able to beat all their students and instructors in a sparring situation with grappling I fell in love with Kenpo because I felt like it made me a more rounded fighter and I would never dismiss it just because it seemed like in a sparring situation with a grappler it just did not work. I have since moved on from Kenpo after only taking it for a couple of years but it’s what got me interested in the martial arts.

Grandmaster Parker is such an inspiration. Let his legacy continue and grow

Love your videos, all of them informative and interesting. Keep ‘em coming!

Your videos are always so well presented mate. Great to see the art I practice being researched and presented by you.

I started training in martial arts in 1970 and am still at it studying Wing Chun, TKD and currently as a 67yr old Tai Chi. Mr Parker has influenced the western approach to martial arts in a great way and was a giant in the martial arts to be greatly respected!

Thank you Dan, for another great and informative video. From what I am seeing in the comments the politics of kenpo spreads even beyond kenpoists. Personally I love the art, I like the way it favors principle over technique and the concept of graphting is amazing. Keep up the good work, looking forward to the next video in the series!

Among the best planned and executed video series on KZfaq. Many thanks.

Benn Cohen's Kenpo was where I first found and began training in American Kenpo. That was about 25 years ago in Altamonte Springs, Florida. Good times and even better people.

Been there . I understand fully the American Kenpo separation. But ... I've been blessed to meet some of the 1st generation black belts.

I really enjoy your videos on the various karate schools and systems. I find them very informative and unbiased. So, I was looking forward to being introduced to your own system. It is a pity about the politics and fracturing that occurred, but this seems to be a problem with almost every school. What I do find quite commendable is the founder's attitude towards the contributions of his senior students to the evolution of the syllabus. This is very rare and special indeed.

My grandmaster says that `martial art politics' are important for the firm growth of an art. kenpo is just amazing and i have continued to understand the art of kenpo through your great videos. peace. oss!!!!!

Great video! I googled some stuff about American Kenpo before that caused me to have interest in training in it. This video increased my interest. :)

just took my first american kenpo . great time

Awesome video. I appreciate how you break down the American Kenpo system.

This is awesome. I studied under Mr Cohen for years.

Very, very well put together and thought out video. Excellent commentary and intelligent script. Just like the art of American Kenpo. Thank you.

Thank you for putting this videos together with the history of American Kenpo Karate.

Very informative and entertaining. Thanks for posting.

Great video. Part One was great too! (I'm a student of Bill Chun Jr, who was taught by Bill Chun Sr and William KS Chow, in Go Shin Jitsu Kenpo and Chinese Kempo of the Chow-Chun Method.)

I have only recently found your channel and very much enjoy your content. Well done, sir!

Great video thanks. As stated in the first video it's great to see Michael Pick after all these years.

Very nice. I've been studying/teaching Kenpo since 2003. My instructor studied under Mr Parker and Skip Hancock. We always worked on modifying techniques and were open to other schools doing seminars to add skills to our art. I feel Mr Parker intended for the art to evolve. We were based out of Missoula Montana. I've been in Omaha Nebraska for a year now and still haven't found a school that has what I'm looking for, but I'll keep searching. Thanks for putting the time and effort into your videos.

Great job thanks for the history, American Kenpo is a very practical street fighting system, and with the evolution of the implementation of speakmans ground fighting add ons very effective!!! I’m a black belt and have been practicing for years and still constantly learning, sometimes techniques can be confusing and repetitive so my advice , combine all of your technique self defense in the moment just let yourself flow at the time of confrontation, forget sequence don’t think just roll with it very effective 😎😎😎😎

My sigung was very good friends with mr Parker. They cross trained often when he was in Hawaii. I asked him about kenpo once he only had a few things to say. It was all good! Over the years s my sigung has educated me quite a bit on a lot of arts. It’s fun to learn from people that were there when the arts were being modified and changed by others. That’s why I stay with Kung fu that I can trace back to the beginning and enough people are still around to add to the stories of how things came about. He talks highly about mr speakman.

I think American Kenpo is a underrated martial arts as it holds many technique for self defense.

Nice video again very informative. keep the faith👊🇮🇪

My style is called shorinkenjitsu kenpo. It's a style that teaches critical thinking as at the black belt levels we are required to create new techniques and forms in order to be promoted. It was created by Brett Ernest in California and is now being taught in England by Thomas Daw.

Great job. I really enjoyed watching this video. Unfortunately like in many styles, there is division between groups. But overall we should develop the idea we are all martial arts therefor we are part of a huge family. And should respect each other's knowledge, skills, and beliefs. Keep up the great work.

14:50 This exactly is partly the reason why I, as a new 1st dan coming from a TKD/Hapkido background, did not continue studying Kenpo after I was introduced to it in the laye 1990s. I was put in a situation where I had to choose between studying under one person (who introduced me to the art) or another person with greater skill. That was uncomfortable. I also met Ed Parker Jr and Larry Tatum at their respective schools around this time, which was cool. In the end, however, I chose to stick with TKD/Hapkido.

This was a solid and good video.

Great video! Thx 🥋

More kenpo videos I love them and I now wanna train in amercian kenpo thanks to these videos

A beautiful piece!👍🏽

Need third video on Kenpo. Especially on dissimilar terms and dissimilar variants of Kempo / Kenpo: IIRC, Shorinji Kempo calls their practitioners Kenshi, but the American and Chinese seemingly refer to themselves as Kenpoists. And perhaps some more videos on Kajukenbo / Kajukenpo.

Incredible videos sir. I like that you can do kenpo at any age and weight or height

I come from a "Tracy Based" system, I say based because we do have some American Kenpo techniques. Thank you for sharing.

Greetings Shihan (Master) Dan, once again I am intrigued, astonished and further enlightened, into your phenomenal art of Kenpo Karate! I keep on seeing the valuable, compatible, as well as the equally realistic and beneficial aspects of training, that both Kyokushin Karate and Kenpo Karate have in common. I am truly pleased and thankful, that you have described the belt ranking system, of Kenpo Karate along with some of the requirements, needed for each belt ranking level! It is good to once again see Kenpo Karate footage, of its practitioners in training, along with the masters that you interviewed in the first segment, as well as some new masters as well. I was really pleased that you expanded, mentioned and also explained the great, innovative contributions, that master Jeff Speakman, has brought to the art of Kenpo Karate. I truly like how he has incorporated, aspects of grappling and ground fighting, such as Brazilian jiu-jitsu, to his system of Kenpo Karate 5.0! The best thing that an instructor can do for his students, is to bring new and beneficial elements, to improve, as well as make the art more well rounded, along with its ability to adapt to any combat situation on the street, be it striking, weapons, or grappling and ground fighting. I was wondering if you do not mind me asking again, what is the meaning of Kenpo Karate's traditional logo of the Tiger 🐯 and the Dragon 🐉, along with the significance of the Chinese Kung Fu, style of bowing 🙇 and saluting ✋, sort to speak! Also do you utter a word or a phrase, when saluting/bowing 🙇 one's master, teacher, instructor, fellow students and so forth? We in Kyokushin Karate say as you might already be aware, the word 'Osu!' whenever salute, greet or bow 🙇. I also found the distinction between the white and black Kenpo Karate (gis) uniforms very interesting and informative, as well as educational. I also like how you touched upon the art of Kajukenbo, of which it also originated from Hawaii, also like Kenpo Karate, Kyokushin Karate for example, it is also a no nonsense, full contact and realistic style of fighting as well. Are you by any chance going to cover in the future, the art of Kajukenbo, as well as its similarities to Kenpo Karate and so forth? I am almost done with the Kyokushin Karate information, I am helping you organise, I am in the process of writing about our katas, then the various Kyokushin organisations, as well as famous Kyokushin Karate practitioners. Reverting back to Kenpo Karate, do you have any weapons training, forms and so forth by any chance? In Kyokushin Karate, although not widely known we also have the bo, nunchaku, tonfa, sai as well as the Samurai sword weapons, training, techniques. Obviously like any other martial arts styles in the world, there are those who might teach weaponry and those who might not do so. By the way I am also curious, should a student move to another state, of which they might not be able to find a Kenpo Karate school, affiliated to one of their previous organisation. Are they still recognised in terms of their rank? For example if in Kyokushin Karate I belong to IKO3 Matsushima, then I move to another state for work purposes, then there is a Kyokushin Karate school,belonging to another organisation, say for example IKO1 Matsui's Kyokushin Karate's group. I am still recognised with my third dan black belt, under their group and obviously one politely explains their situation, therefore is allowed to train with them, while still being recognised by one's rank in the other organisation. Lastly I assume that you might be having a third video segment on the art of Kenpo Karate? It was nice to see you again in action, during some of the visual training segments, that you showcased in this part two video on Kenpo Karate. By the way how many katas (forms) are generally in total in a Kenpo Karate system? I went through all of our Kyokushin Karate style katas and those schools under organisations, that teach the full, original Kyokushin Karate system, as taught by Sosai Masutatsu Oyama, the number of katas in total, are 41! I hope your work is going well, along with your training, as well as that of your students. Greetings from Melbourne, Australia 🇦🇺 as always Shihan (Master) Dan, Osu! 👍 ☺ ✌

cheers amazing video..

Earned my yellow belt back in 1988. Was in the Navy and had to go back to sea. Only now resuming my studies under Sascha Williams

My GM, an old school Korean Grandmaster himself had cross trained in multiple arts in his life. And though he was a Hapkido Grandmaster he also held rankings in Judo and had extensive training in Kung Fu and was a 5 times Golden Golves boxer. As well, in his youth he would get into many street fights. Sometimes to protect his friends from rowdy U.S. Marines, sometimes from people who wanted to test him, sometimes to test himself and at times simply because stuff happens. When he first got to the US he go into fights in downtown L.A. quite often. He used all this to develop his Hapkido and teach us what had worked for him in the streets. But at the same time he has always been very aware that body styles are different. With his experience and his degree in physical education he became an amazing teacher that taught an amazing art. My GM and our school have always been aware that there are different ways of doing things. He/we have always encouraged cross training. ow can you know if your techniques will be effective against another style if you have no experience in other styles or stood against them? We have also been aware that our way may not always be the best. If we find/see a way of doing a technique that works better, is more effective then we are more than happy to change, evolve and learn. I personally have studied over a dozen styles in my life and have had careers that have required me to use my art quite regularly. this has helped me to personally develop what I have been taught and to see how the techniques of my Hapkido can and should be executed in real life. Being a Dojo master that has never been tested in real life is not a bad thing, if what you have been taught and are teaching are tested. No one really wants to be in violent confrontations. Especially with the possible consequences that can befall you here in the U.S. But it is good to know that what you are learning and teaching can and does work and how it should be applied and when......

Great video. Very informative. Thank you for sharing! Osu!

Would be nice to see you do a video on larry Tatum, I know the past and history was bad but he is a real dragon and most people in the kenpo world know LT students as bad asses. Its only fair because you spoke about AT

Another great video! I love history. Especially martial arts history. Thank you for this. Side-note - Are there any Ed Parker, American Kenpo and/or Jeff Speakman Kenpo 5.0 affiliates near Toronto, ON Canada???

I enjoyed this, I know nothing about American kenpo (a little now), i really like it, the only thing i'm skeptical about is the forms ( I'm from a trad japanese background), they look very long and over complicated, could you perhaps break one down in the future. As with politics, its an easy thing to get sucked into, i've done it (to my shame), but i think it is a younger person who feels the need to engage in it, only when you get old do you realize that there are many paths to the top of the mountain, but we all get there in the end (well hopefully). Great video

Excellent video. After having experience in several arts, I moved from the Villari / United Studios Kempo to American Kenpo shortly after Mr. Parker's death. Our school chose to keep what you referred to the 2.0 system. After almost 5 years there I had to move on and in my search for quality martial arts training , I also trained in a couple Tracy offshoots as well as Kajukenbo. In my personal opinion, I have yet to find a better style (for me) than American Kenpo. I do keep in touch with some in the Kenpo community and have noted the recent promotion of several leaders to 10th degree. These men are in their 70's plus and have taught for many decades. In their well deserved promotions they have chosen to take the title of Senior Master in humble acknowledgement of Mr. Parker as the Grandmaster. This simple statement gives me hope for the coming together and future of the Kenpo community. My only complaint is the lack of Kenpo schools. I live in the San Francisco Bay area and I only know of one Parker type school among a population of millions. The ridiculous cost of rental space here does make it difficult, but I hope that some can step up and help revive American Kenpo in the Bay Area. If not for myself at least for my son (that is currently learning Aikido) but who could greatly benefit from quality training in American Kenpo

Can you do a video on the origins of Goju ryu. History and belt system

i studied with TIM TUSAUNT KENPO KARATE ' Tracy Kenpo ' grand master & studied with ed parker

Thank you for the video. I am a fan of history in general and appreciate you making Kenpo history accessible. Looking forward to more as I, being new to Kenpo, try to figure out where my school fits into the larger picture. I will keep looking, but do you get to Nick Cerio?

@Art of One Dojo Based on what you presented in this video I will probably check out a Kenpo 5.0 dojo when I settle down (if you remember my comment from the last video). I like the integration of grappling as it addresses my concerns about ground fighting situations. I also like the style of sparring allowing the engagement to naturally flow from standing, to the clench, and to the ground (if it even goes there). Do you know if kenpo has a large presence in Texas?

I am familiar with the martial arts politics being a TKD practitioner. Then it was WTF (now just WT) and ITF. I guess it still is. I haven't affiliated with a school in a very long time since my past master died and he also left a bad taste for TKD for me. I continue to work out with my kicks, punches and forms and have done this for the past, almost, 30 years. I am a 3rd Dan in TKD and 4th Dan in HKD. I have recently begun my journey into Kenpo via Tracy Kenpo. Being aware of the politics and whatnot I did a lot of research into both and, because there is no physical B&M school where I live, online instruction was my only option. I really don't want to get into the debate or argument of online vs. in person because this was my only option. Suffice it to say, I have access to video and and live class and personal instruction via Zoom. All that to say, I am well aware of the bad blood in Kenpo but as a practitioner, I hope that I would be welcome into the universal Kenpo brotherhood because it all stems back to one root.

So kenpo politics is like Gracie politics? Interesting. Wrestling politics are more so college related.

I studied Lee Wedlakes Kenpo under one of his students in Ohio and years later studied under IKKA Paul Mills Kenpo from one of his students in AZ. They are both clearly American Kenpo, but they were noticeably different, even the way the teachers taught. Some of the techniques where the same, some were different, and everything was in a different order. I dont know much about the politics or who did what when with style branches, but it seems I fell into that unwittingly. My IKKA Teacher, I could tell, did not prefer the style/method I was originally taught. I've been inactive for a while now but am interested in Kenpo 5.0. I would be interested to see what Paul Mills has to say about Speakmans 5.0

American Kenpo has influenced the Okinawan Kenpo I am learning in Yuma Arizona. There was lots of interaction between Ed Parker and his students with the Arviso family here during tournaments and such. I think American Kenpo has taken the Okinawan concept of Hindi to its fullest application. However, not the spirit of Hindi, which I find is what leads to all the politics. Masters used to teach students one on one. So, the kata were often changed to fit that student at that time. Masters would also see that a particular movement of the kata was less effective than another movement, and would adjust the kata. So, two students of the same master would learn different varients of the same kata. Meaning, there is no right version of a kata. Look at Odo Sensei perform Seisan (Oki-Ken-Kai still use this version), and then look at the Shotokan Hangetsu. These are suposedly the same kata but they look wildly different. Also, look at Niseishi compared to Nijushiho. Those are the same kata as well, but the older kenpo version does not include some of the other strikes. Kusanku and Kanku dai are another variation of the same kata. Which is the correct one? They all are. There is no need to put one over the other. The fracturing of American Kenpo looks a lot like the JKA vs Okinawan Karate split. However, I find these fractures are merely cosmetic issues that have been blown out of proportion by those forgetting the purpose of Kenpo. To understand, imporove, and protect ourselves through fist law. Be it Okinawan, Japanese, Chinese, or American.

Don't know if I've said it before, but it merits re-mentioning. I have been studying, teaching and improving on American Kenpo. I am 5'2" and slim, but strong andd 75 years old. I can still move fast and perform all Kenpo techniques. My contribution to american kenpo was creating fifty practical ground techniques. Not wrestling or doing arm and leg locks on the ground, but techniques that gets you off the ground and back on your feet where you belong in American Kenpo, in seconds.

I am in the Tracy Kenpo system for the last 40+ years and still practicing 6 days a week at the age of 70. I have no animosity toward any other karate system Kenpo or otherwise. Although I am aware there has been tension between the two systems I don't really recall any negative discussions with other practitioners including with my instructor Mark Miller, Judan. In the 1980's I went to a seminar with GrandMaster Parker held at one of our Tracy schools. It was outstanding and everyone got along great. All of the good people in all systems teach humility, respect for self and others, discipline and of course how to defend ones self. One of the things I like most about Kenpo is the circular pattern of movements which best suites my body size and shape. Both the Tracy and the Parker system's use such circular patterns....Those movements are great for coordination, moving internal energy patterns to cross over from left and right hemispheres of the brain, and obviously they can confuse attackers. By the way you did a great job of honoring Kenpo.

My kenpo instructor learned from al Tracy it would be real interesting if you did a Tracy video 💯

Its all kenpo to me I love it

I have great respect for your Channel. Definitely understand politics and bs inside the art ☯️🇺🇸

Hi Mr. Dan , I was wondering if you can do a video on Lima Lama and Kajukenbo that would be great (being that there so closely related to America Kenpo Karate) !

As a student of Kaicho Tadashi Nakamura I know what it is to watch powerful karate organizations split over disagreements. Oyama number one student Tadashi Nakamura left after the open world tournament of 1976 about how that tournament was handle. Kaicho then founded Seido karate in 1976. Then in 2001 Kaicho’s number 1 student THE LATE GREAT SHIHAN WILLIAM OLIVER left because of Kaicho promotion of his son to a position that Shihan disagreed with. Shihan left taking a number of schools and top students with him. These kinds always happens when very creative people have disagreements. It must be hard as hell for a striker to grapple with a natural grappler. I always use my judo to enhance my karate throws , sweeps and joint manipulations. Real grapplers are too strong to get chest to chest with. I’m 6’3” 220lbs. and I don’t want to ever down on the ground for more ten seconds.

I've been trying to figure out the split with Paul Mill's AKKI. Any background on that?

Very good story,thanks for the sharing. Q: where or how can I contact you, where are you located at. Thank you again.

Grandmaster Mitose to William Kwai Sang Chow to Edmund Park & Adriano Directo Emperado. Mitose system was very circular and mystical/religious. Chows system very linear and Chinese kung fu mixed. Parkers version put back in circular movement but withdrew all mysticism and religion. Also Parker too time designed to teach the system too students effectively increasing the student retention and understand of the "why we do this" part of martial arts

I'd love to learn the history of the other breakoffs, like Paul Mill's Akki vs Ikka vs Kempo 5.0 vs Tracy. Who is more successful in terms of studios, where lies the nastiest politics, which style is closest and furthest from Parker etc.

I've been doing Kenpo for nearly 26 years now, along with other arts. I started in the Parker system, dabbled in the 5.0 system, and finally settled in the Paul Mills system. I got bored with the Parker system and realized there needed to be some evolution of the art because it really hadn't changed since he died which has been nearly 40 years. I find that odd considering he made changes to the system throughout his entire time practicing the art which was like 4 modifications in a 30-40 year span. Then he dies and boom...no changes at all. I went to the 5.0 system but got bored with that when I realized it was nothing more than the Parker system with some MMA mixed in. I already train MMA (BJJ, Muay Thai, boxing and wrestling) and quickly recognized that the 5.0 system was not going to give me anything I didn't already have. My original Kenpo instructor had switched to the MILLS system (AKKI) so I went there once when visiting family (20 yrs retired military and don't live where I grew up) and I'm happy I did. I feel the Mills system actually PROGRESSES Kenpo. I'm actually learning new things now. I think it's a shame more people aren't aware of the AKKI system, even within the Kenpo community. I'm pretty sure it has a lot to do with Mr. Mills aversion to technology though lol. And he hates when people put out videos cuz they usually do a poor job so you can never find anything out unless you actually go to an AKKI school. And then they usually hold things back unless you commit to training with them.

This is really interesting. American Kenpo isn't well-known here in Germany. According to Google Maps there are only eleven active AP schools in the country. In comparison, Kara-Ho Kempo has five schools here.

Yeah, organization and unification are key elements in a global martial art's viability that people don't talk about enough. I used to do Hapkido when I was younger and it had a similar problem - too many organizations. I joined a new school once when I moved abroad and, while I really respected the instructor and his technique, the style itself was unrecognizable to me based on my personal experience. Then I switched to Shorinji Kempo, but even though it's still well unified overall, more and more schools are recently breaking off and becoming independent for political reasons. It may just be an inevitability.

Would have been cool if you could have made a video about Kajukenbo and/or Wun Hop Kuen Do :)

I'm a Kenpo. And martial arts brother . Enjoy your video brother.

Will you talk about Stephen wonder boy Thompson? He’s one of the most successful ufc fighters ever. Almost became a world champion in ufc and is an undefeated kickboxing champion. He’s a kempo karate stylist. So is Justin Scoggins. Also Sage Northcut is a Kajukenbo stylist and is very successful in mma. You should do videos on them too.

I study Techno-Hung Vaapad 5.36 hybrid with Kali 2nd generation Mk VII inverted dynamic strengthining hatha-chuan , and classical Klingon Mokbara to channel agression when I am not able to practise Vaapad with my purple lightsaber safely. But I am modifying it all to version 5.37 by summer.

I'd love to see some Kenpo sparring. Do you have any videos?

Politics in martial arts sucks. Every martial art is good, it's the person who makes that art his own. Follow the principles and adapt them to you. My kung fu is my kung fu, your kempo is your kempo and so on. Taking ideas and techniques from everyone, is how we grow.

Can you do a video on O.E. Simon and Moh Pai Kenpo?

Great history

Hi there . I'm Emilio living on the island of oahu. I am fascinated by what I watched just now. Been looking for a self defense school. But not sure where to go? Can anyone tell me what schools would teach Ed parkers techniques Here on Oahu Honolulu? Please reply here. Would love to know. I've been bullied and attacked on streets here, that I would never thought I be getting into. Thanks. Looking forward to learning the self defense. Emilio.