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DEFINITIONS OF KENPO – A KILLING ART
DR. GREGORY T. LAWTON
“Never enter into kumite without the intention to kill, and the willing
acceptance of your
death. But do neither, do not kill and do not die. But if by circumstance you
are
faced with the choice of killing or dying, know this, it is better to die not
having
taken a life than to die a murderer.”
Introduction
To understand kenpo, its definition and history, I recommend studying the work
of Al
Tracy and the original textbook by James M. Mitose entitled, What is Self
Defense? In
Al Tracy’s work on the history of kenpo, he cites information gleaned from The
Textbook
of Ju-jutsu as Practiced in Japan by S.K. Uyenishi and on his website, he
publishes the
original kenpo book (What is Self Defense? by James M. Mitose). The significance
of
these books in relation to the history and development of kenpo are explained by
the
kenpo historian. If not for Al Tracy, students of kenpo would simply not have
access to
much of the rich and highly informative history that has been preserved.
In some circles, a debate exists as to which spelling (kenpo or kempo) is
correct, and
whether it is primarily a Chinese or a Japanese martial art. In truth, kenpo/kempo
is both
Chinese and Japanese and in this article, both spellings may be used
interchangeably.
As both a student and teacher of kenpo, I do not view kenpo as a style of
martial art but
rather as a group of techniques collectively and historically referred to as
“fist law.”
Definitions of Kenpo – A Killing Art
Many articles on kenpo begin with definitions and explanations of the origin of
the words
(kenpo and kempo); however, in this article, the intention is to examine a more
global
definition of kenpo as a combat martial art originally resulting from techniques
applied to
the traditional battlefield. Later, these were refined into a killing and
maiming combat art
long before its modern transformation into a self-defense martial art.
S.K. Uyenishi, author of The Textbook of Ju-Jutsu as Practiced in Japan, wrote
his book
during the early-1900’s and in it offers some brief insights into the historical
representation of kenpo. Uyenishi was a well-established senior jujitsu master
and
teacher and his teaching positions included: Riku-gun yo-nan gako (The Military
College
for Officers),Tai-iku-kai (The Imperial Military College of Physical Training),
Shi-han-
gako (The School of Instructors), Jun sa kio-shun sho (The Police Training
School), and
all government schools in Osaka, Japan. Uyenishi was a pioneer of jujitsu in the
UK,
and in his book, he demonstrates various techniques such as break-falls, throws,
and
locks. His father, Kichibe Uyenishi, was also a great jujitsu master and teacher
who
lived and practiced martial arts during the 1800’s in Japan. At the time, Japan
was in
turbulence and in 1867, the Tokugawa Shogunate was officially ended, after
nearly 700
years of Shogun rule.
For kenpo practitioners, the main interest in Uyenishi’s textbook is in his
references to
kenpo. In his research, Al Tracy provides the following quoted content from
Uyenishi’s
textbook.
One of the styles alluded to, known as the Kempo, which may be roughly
described as a method of killing people, possessed many points of
resemblance to Ju-jutsu but was totally different in practice, being a system
of self-defence against sudden attack with intent to kill and replying thereto
in
kind. It was certainly more closely related to ju-jutsu than is boxing (even
under the old Prize Ring rules) or le savate to wrestling. It might perhaps be
best compared to that very strenuous old Greek Physical Contest, which was
known as the Pancration. By-the-way, I may here remark on the possible
derivation of the old English phrase "Kempery man" and the Anglo-Saxon
cempa, signifying "a warrior," from the Japanese Kempo. This is a point
which should not be without interest to etymologists, and particularly to those
who follow the late Professor Max Muller in his theory of the Indo-Germanic
origin of the Anglo-Saxon Race.
Kempo, of course, was a system of attack and defence which branched off
from ju-jutsu into the paths of strenuous endeavor, but, apart from the fact
that it was less scientific than, ju-jutsu, it was declared an illegal practice
when the sanctity of human life was recognised under the new regime.
The opening sentence of Uyenishi’s description of kenpo provides insight into
one of its
earliest definitions and shows that in the 1800’s and early-1900’s kenpo was
recognized
as a killing method (i.e., “may be roughly described as a method of killing
people…” and
“against sudden attack with intent to kill…”). Al Tracy goes on to clarify that,
in 1868 the new Japanese government eliminated two traditions: first they
eliminated the Samurai as a class and outlawed their wearing of swords and
at the same time kempo was declared an illegal practice when the sanctity of
human life was recognized under the new regime.
Uyenishi’s definition of kenpo as a killing art predates James M. Mitose’s book
(What is
Self Defense?; 1947), which presented kenpo in the post-shogun and post-samurai
period as a form of personal self defense.
In the introduction to his book, Mitose defines kenpo as,
The main purpose is to give faith to man and reform him into a new man.
One should hate the wrongdoings of a criminal but not the man himself, for
no matter how bad a person, man was created by GOD, so if it is possible,
one must try not to injure or take any life. Try not to use any dangerous
tricks,
unless it is really necessary. Do not oppose force with force, but allow force
to defeat itself.”
This definition sharply deviates from the historical and well-recognized
reputation of
kenpo as being an art of killing. In any case, since Japan and the US were just
ending
World War II, it should not be surprising that a social and moral receptivity
existed for
redefining certain martial arts in a more peaceful and spiritual light. Mitose’s
definitions
and explanations of kenpo reflect similar spiritual and philosophical concepts
found in
the writings of the aikido founder, Morihei Ueshiba, who was a contemporary of
Mitose’s. Just as the killing art of Japanese aiki jujitsu was being reformed
into the
peaceful martial art to be known as aikido, kenpo, in the hands of Mitose, also
experienced a similar reformation. Incidently, in 1970, Mitose received an
honorary
tenth dan in aikido at the direction of Morihei Ueshiba. The written content of
that award
follows:
Certificate of Testimony and Appreciation
To: Dr. James M. Mitose
As you are the president of the Japanese-American (International) society for the promotion of goodwill, friendship, and social welfare,
you have contributed to the happiness of mankind and world peace,
and especially for the handicapped people.
You have rendered services for many years to develop the rightful ways of the Japanese martial arts of Aikido.
For your distinguished service, I hereby bestow upon you an honorary tenth degree or Ju-dan. I respect and appreciate your faithful and unselfish service.
March 22, 1970
Koichi Tohei, 10th degree, Ju-dan
Head instructor of Aikido
General Headquarters (signed and stamped with seal)
Some controversy exists regarding the award, with Koichi Tohei later alleging
that he
was reluctant to issue the certificate and only did so at the direction of
Morihei Ueshiba.
If true, then Koichi Tohei or Morihei Ueshiba, or both, falsified their
statements in the
award with the words, “I respect and appreciate your faithful and unselfish
service.” This
would have been no small matter of honor, considering the reputation and
position of
these two noted founders of aikido.
Kenpo practitioners and teachers, Brian Zarnett and Paul Seaby, describe its
development:
On the surface, Kempo's uniqueness lies in its comprehensive and
diversified means of unarmed defense. Shaolin Kempo Karate proper is both
an armed and unarmed system of combat incorporating applications in
varying appearances and method. On an external level, Kempo is a no holds
barred fighting system of offensive and defensive methods with equal
emphasis of striking techniques with the hands and feet; immobilization and
controls; projections and takedowns; as well as weaponry and various
spiritual and healing arts. Shaolin Kempo is a streetwise defensive art that
does not restrict its students in methodology. Clawing hands evolve into
slashing feet. Cunning joint locks turn into devastating hip throws. Evasive
blocks turn into breath closing chokes.
As we examine the early history of the martial arts, as practiced in war, and
during
mankind’s history when empty-handed combat and hand weapons (knives, spears, and
swords) was all that was available to combatants, we can readily understand that
devastating attacks to the throat to crush the airway and cause death, or
techniques for
destroying the joints and connective tissues to maim the opponent, were the
ideas and
techniques behind many contemporary martial artists (i.e., controlled sport
chokes and
joint locks). To further examine the development of the fighting arts from their
early
martial history to contemporary sports, we can see the evolution of these arts
from a
focus on killing and maiming towards a universal philosophy for preserving and
protecting life (or to providing recreational and leisure satisfaction by the
diminishing of
true martial technique and the adoption of sports rules and regulations).
From early history and traditional warfare, to the martial spiritual
transformation that was
seen in the 1970’s and 1980’s, to the development of recreational sports and
martial
arts competition in the 1990’s and the present, the martial arts have undergone
many
changes with reference to our understanding of the fighting arts. Nevertheless,
the
fundamental techniques and applications involving the physics of killing and
maiming
have remained unchanged. From the breaking of a joint or use of lethal
techniques to
the airway, arteries, or nerve centers, the techniques have remained constant,
despite
contemporary beliefs that may have been manipulated by martial art gurus,
movies, or
promoters of recreational and sports martial art competitions.
Martial art, whether called kenpo, hapkido, aikido, taekwondo, shorin ryu, or
any other
name, or as part of any religion or philosophy, or as developed by any
individual, is
fundamentally the manual application of principles, laws, and forces of physical
Donn Schucker, Executive Director
P.O. Box 2171
Florissant, MO 63032-2171
Phone: (314) 606-7306
Email: ds@smaa-martialarts.com
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