A Brief History of American Kenpo

Kenpo is a name for multiple martial arts that developed in Hawaii due to cross-cultural exchange between practitioners of Ryukyuan martial arts, Chinese martial arts, Japanese martial arts and multiple additional influences. In the United States, kenpo is often referred to as Kenpo Karate. The most widespread styles have their origin in the teachings of James Mitose and William Chow. This lineage also includes Kajukenbo, an art that does not use the kenpo name itself, but which possesses recognized offshoots that do. These arts have spread around the world through multiple lineages, not all of which agree on a common historical narrative. Notable styles such as Kajukenbo and American Kenpo, developed by Ed Parker, employ linear and circular movements with "rapid fire" combinations of blows to vital areas of the body. (http://www.myspace.com/117327062)