Kenpo, translating to “Fist Method,” refers to a variety of martial arts that integrate striking, grappling, and throwing techniques, often practiced with protective gear to allow full-contact sparring.
What Is Kenpo?
Kenpo is the name of several martial arts that often involve wearing protective gear (face, body, crotch, etc.) and gloves, and this sport allows for full use of stand-up striking, throwing, and ground fighting.
The Main Types of Kenpo:
As previously mentioned, kenpo is the name of several martial arts, and while we’ll mainly be talking about the Japanese style, here are some of the other ones.
- Shorinji Kenpo - Shaolin Temple Fist Method
- Nippon Kenpo
- Okinawan Kenpo
- American Kenpow
- Shaolin kenpo
The Origins of Kenpo
The origins of Nippon kenpo are from Muneomi Sawayama (real name Katsu Sawayama), with Sawayama was originally interested in “atemi” techniques. Atemi techniques are blows and strikes to the body, and when he was a student at Kansai University in the early Showa period, he researched old-style jujutsu, but was not impressed by the results.
Therefore, Sawayama invited Kenwa Mabuni (founder of Shinto-ryu) and his friend Chojun Miyagi (founder of Goju-ryu), who had moved from Okinawa to Osaka and started teaching karate (currently karate), to Kansai University at the Karate Stud Group established on June 15, 1930.
Then, in 1932, after graduating from the Faculty of Law at Kansai University, in the fall of the same year, he officially launched a martial art that was different from Karate, which he called “Dainippon kenpo.”
Since Sawayama studied with students of Kansai University when Nippon Kenpo was founded, he was considered a “strong man with academic skill to match”. After that, Kokushikan University and Keiji University began to push out practitioners towards the Kansai region, and practitioners who left a significant track record in high schools were often pushed towards universities in the Kanto region. Due to its high availability, the association’s kenpo was incorporated into the training of the Self-Defence Forces, with Ryonosuke Mori participating in the crafting of the Self-Defence Forces’ fighting manual, alongside masters of kenpo, Judo, and Tomiki-ryu Aikido.
The Styles of Kenpo
As previously mentioned, there are lots of different types of kenpo, and we’ll briefly cover the main other styles of kenpo.
Shorinji Kenpo
There are two sides to this style: true budo and the educational system. As the latter, the organisation is well known for its mental training institution as well as body training facilities dojo. The founder wanted to establish not only an organisation which incorporated mental and physical training, but also wanted to educate Japanese people who had been completely demoralised by World War II.
Okinawan Kenpo
Some Okinawan martial arts groups use the term knepo as an alternate name for their Karate systems or for a distinct but related art within their association. This can be illustrated by the official full name of Motobu-ryu style, named as Nihon Denryu Heiho Motobu Kenpo.
American Kenpo
American Kenpo evolved from Chinese and Japanese roots. One predecessor, the martial art of Ken Fat, came to America with Cantonese immigrants through the creation of Tongs. Ken Fat was refined by the Southern Chinese and spread into Fujian and Canton, and later various styles developed in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Ryukyu (Okinawa), Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Japan.
Shaolin Kenpo
Shaolin Kenpo Karate is a martial art style that combines the Five Animal sof Shaoiling Kung Fu, the core competency of Kenpo, the hard-hitting linear explosiveness of traditional Karate, as well as the power of Western boxing and the felling and grappling arts of Jujutsu, Chin Na, and Mongolian wrestling.
Benefits of Training in Kenpo
Full-Body Conditioning
Kenpo techniques blend strikes, kicks, blocks, and fluid movement patterns that enhance strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular endurance.
Mental Discipline and Focus
The structured nature of Kenpo training demands concentration, situational awareness, and quick decision-making.
Self-Defence Mastery
With it’s emphasis on reactive techniques and real-world application, Kenpo equips you to defend against various attacks. Techniques are designed to neutralise threats quickly and efficiently.
Kenpo is far more than a system of combat—it is a philosophy of movement, a study in discipline, and a pathway to personal transformation.
