Martial Arts (a brief history)

It is well documented that the Indian priest Bodhidarma also known as Ta-Mo or Daruma Taishi, traveled from India up through China to the Shaolin Temple in order to enhance the teaching of the Zen Buddhism. However when he arrived at the temple he found the monks to be in poor physical condition through spending many hours meditating. Believing that the body needs to be both physically and spiritually healthy he started the monks on a course of exercises, later to be known as the EIGHTEEN HANDS OF LOHAN. These exercises contain many Self defence techniques.

He also taught them the many fighting techniques he had come across on his long journey from India.

Over many centuries the Monks became very proficient in the art of fighting and were asked [or ordered] by the Warlords to help protect their kingdoms. However, as with all things, the tide turned and the Warlords started to fear the power of the Shaolin Monks. Suspecting that at any time the Monks, with their superior fighting skills, could overrun their domains, they ordered the midnight burning of the temples and the slaughter of the unsuspecting monks.

It is believed that at least five monks escaped, separated and each took part of the fighting skills with them and developed them according to their environment and the indigenous fighting arts of the region.

For instance those who traveled to northern China found sparsely populated areas, and the locals to be skilled in horsemanship, and good acrobats. They found in order to get a rider off a horse, they had to develop the high flying kicks.

In southern China they found the locals to be either farmers, boat people or living in crowded cities, and hence emphasized the low strong stances and powerful hand techniques, [imagine being knee deep in a rice paddy or on a little Sampan, and trying to deliver a high flying kick]

Northern Gung fu styles emphasize kicking techniques. Southern gung fu styles emphasize hand techniques. There is an old Chinese saying "Southern fist, Northern Foot"

In about 1600 the art went from China to Okinawa, and although many people consider Japan as being the source of all Martial Arts it was only introduced into that country in 1912 and first taught in 1922. There the development of the "Hard" side [Karate] took prominence.

WHAT IS KEMPO?

KEMPO means "The way of, or the law of the fist". In China it is known as Chuan-Fa, and is the most famous style in China today.

KEMPOISTS believe it to be as close to the original martial art as was taught in India and the Shaolin Temple nearly 2000 years ago.

KEMPO also encompasses a very effective and comprehensive Self Defence syllabus, as well as traditional Martial Arts weaponry, both Chinese and Okinawan, such as---Nunchaku---Tonfa---Bo [Long Staff]---Short Staff---Broadsword---Sai

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN KEMPO AND KENPO?

None at all. KEMPO spelt with a M is the original spelling using the English alphabet. KENPO spelt with the N is probably the more correct sounding of the Japanese word. However, it is interesting to see many Japanese authors use the spelling with the M. It would seem that the word Kempo/Kenpo is perhaps spelt with a M but pronounced with a N.

KEMPO TRAINING includes

Karate ----- Gung Fu ---- Self Defence

Chuan Fa-----Weaponry [Okinawan & Chinese]

Iron Hand -----------------------Wooden Man

Tai Chi Chuan----Ch'i Gung---Inner Harmony

The Instructors

Kempo Australia was founded by Master John Hamilton, 7th degree Black Belt (AMAHOF) who has been inducted into the Martial Arts Hall of Fame. Mr Hamilton studied directly under Grand Master Robert Gemmell. (NZ)