|
|
Kenpo Traces The information to follow covers the history of key figures in Kenpo who were instrumental in the modern development of Kenpo as a contemporary fighting system. James Mitose 1916-1981 Masayoshi (James) Mitose is considered to be starting point from which modern Kenpo and later American Kenpo Karate originated.
According to the Hawaii Karate Seinenkai James Mitose began to advertise and teach “Kempo Jiu-Jitsu in Honolulu in 1942.
A page from the Mitose book on Kenpo - William K. S. Chow 1914-1987 Professor Chow was one of the first students of James Mitose and did much to assist with the organization of Mitose's original Kenpo including adding Chinese history, technique, and authenticity. Edmund Parker 1931-1990 Edmund Parker is considered the father of American Kenpo Karate. Mr. Parker began the study of judo as a child and later trained in Kenpo under Professor Chow. He is credited with being one of the first karate masters in the US to apply scientific principles of physics to the movements and techniques of Kenpo Karate. James Ibrao 1937 James Ibrao received the first black belt issued by Edmund Parker and along with the Tracy brothers listed below was a primary instructor for Mr. Parker and taught the advanced classes at the Parker schools. James Ibrao is still teaching and he has developed his own system called Jun Bao Wu Shu Kung Fu. It is a synthesis of Kenpo, Kung fu, and Wu Shu. The Tracy Brothers, Al and Jim The Tracy brothers, Al and Jim rank as two of the most significant contributors in the development of Kenpo in the US. They played a major role in the initial organization of the American Kenpo system. They were students under Edmund Parker but they rapidly developed in Kenpo and became the primary organizers of Kenpo in the US. Tom Connor 1929-1989 Tom Connor's mastery of Chinese Martial Arts, boxing, Jujitsu, and professional bodybuilding were incorporated into what was to become a very strong, yet highly artful form of American Kenpo. This unique system would later be named "American Kenpo Karate Association". (By Bill Packer, one of Master Connor's original students)
|
|