Please send any questions you would
like added to kenpoexchange@email.com
Did
the Tracy's receive their Shodan (Black Belt) from Ed Parker?
What is
the correct spelling? Kenpo or Kempo
How many
different styles of Kenpo are there?
How do I
choose a Kenpo school?
Q.Did
the Tracy's receive their Black Belts (Shodan) from Ed Parker?
A.There has been question as to whether or not
Al and Jim Tracy received their Black Belts (Shodan) from Ed Parker.
In the Family Tree listed in the
original "Infinite Insights", by Ed Parker, you can see
that Al and Jim Tracy are listed as Black belts under Ed Parker, first
generation. They also have the largest number of Black Belts listed
under their tree!
Al Tracy was the fifth person promoted to Black Belt (Shodan) January
2,1962. Certificate dated January 7, 1962.
Jim Tracy was the sixth person promoted to Black Belt (Shodan) January
2,1962. Certificate dated January 7, 1962.
Q.What
is the correct spelling? Kenpo or Kempo
A. No
matter which way you spell it: Kenpo or Kempo, it is always pronounced
KeMpo! ( Sometime spelled Kenpou ) Check out the Japanese/English
dictionary on the web. The English spelling of Japanese
words are approximations and "Kenpo" is always a correct
and proper English spelling for the Japanese Kanji from which kenpo
is derived. It is "technically" not correct to spell kenpo
with an "m" because "mp" does not exist in the
Japanese language, and when written in Japanese, the letter "m"
must always be followed by a vowel. "N" on the other hand
is the only English letter that is not represented by a syllable in
Japanese.
Q.How many different styles of Kenpo
are there?
A.This
not a complete list of all Kenpo styles. I will be adding more as
I receive information on them. Also American Kenpo has splintered
so much since the death of Mr. Parker I couldn't begin to list them.
Kosho Ryu Kempo
Koga Ha
Kosho Shorei Ryu
Sei
Kosho Shorei Kai International
Chinese Kempo of
Kara-Ho Karate
American
Shaolin Kenpo
American Shaolin
Kempo
Kajukenbo
American Kenpo
Tracy System
of Kenpo
Nick Cerio's Kenpo
Go Shin
Jitsu - Kai Chinese Kempo
Nippon Kempo
Okinawan Kenpo
White Tiger Kenpo
Kiyojute Ryu
Kempo Bugei
Jun Bao Wu Shu Kung-
Fu
Shorinji
Kempo
Won Hop Kuen Do
Yoshin Kempo
Q. How do I choose a Kenpo school?
A. When
looking for a Kenpo school make sure you ask lots of questions:
- Find out what the instructors credentials
are.
- How many years have they trained.
- Is the school part of an organization .
- Do they mind if you contact the organization
to verify.
- Does the school follow an established system
or made up their own?
- Will they allow 1- to 2-day free trial membership?
Talk to other students. Are the students disciplined
and respectful, but still having fun? Is the actual class taught by
a qualified instructor? Make sure they instill proper basics.