Kajukenbo

Bob Hubbard

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From the rec.martialarts FAQ

(Contributors: Peter Jason Ward - [email protected],
Todd D. Ellner - [email protected])

Intro:

An eclectic martial art that is a blend of Karate, Judo, Kempo, and
Boxing, from which arts it takes its name.

History:

Kajukenbo was synthesized in the Palomas settlements of Hawaii during
the years 1949-1952. Five practitioners of their respective martial
arts developed Kajukenbo to complement each others styles to allow
effective fighting at all ranges and speeds. The last living founder
of Kajukenbo is Sijo Adriano D. Emperado who practiced kempo and
escrima. (Other founders are P.Y.Y. Choo, Frank Ordonez, J. Holck,
and Professor C. Chang). It was decided that kempo would be the
scafolding around which Kajukenbo was built. The arts drawn upon to
found Kajukenbo are Tang soo do, judo, ju-jitsu, kempo, and chu'an fa
gung fu (Chinese boxing); hence the name Ka-ju-kem-bo (Tang Soo Do was
shortened as a form of karate, even though that is technically
incorrect).

To test the effectiveness of their origional techniques the five
founders would get into fights around the Palomas settlements (the
worst slum in Hawaii at the time). If the technique succeeded
consistently in streetfighting it was kept as part of the system.
>From these field test came Kajukenbo's Quins (known as the Palomas
sets (forms or kata)), Natural laws (self-defense), Tricks
(close-quarters fighting), and grab arts (escapes).

Description:

Kajukenbo concentrates on being an effective art at all ranges of
fighting, kicking -> Punching -> Trapping -> Grappling. While many
schools of karate and Korean martial arts concentrate on kata,
Kajukenbo stresses the self-defence movements over the relatively
fewer forms in the art. The reasoning behind this is that a
practitioner must be capable of defending himself in streetfighting
situations before turning inward to perfect the 'art' of Kajukenbo.
At higher levels there is meditative and chi training, but the author
cannot comment further at his level of experience.

Kajukenbo stresses the following-up of techniques based on an
opponents reactions and not stopping with just one hit. The reasoning
is that while one should strive to end a fight with the fewest
techniques nessesary, it is important to know how an opponent will
respond to attacks, and how best to take advantage of his reactions.
A major ethical point behind my instruction was, "If he starts the
fight, you decide when the fight is over."

Training:

The training is physically intense and very demanding. Exercise is a
part of the class structure to insure that practitioners will be
physically capable of defending themselves outside of the dojo. The
warm-up and callistenics typically last 1/3 of the class period.
Emphasis is placed on bag work (kick, punching, elbows, and knees) as
well as sparring and grappling (contact with control). After a certain
amount of time training, students begin to throw real punches at each
other and their partner is expected to react appropriately or face the
consequences. Learning to absorb and soften an impact is also a major
facet of training. Quins (kata) are performed to fine-tune a person's
movements while working with partners for self defense teaches a
student how to manipulate an opponent and follow up on his reactions.

Sub-Styles:

Kajukenpo, formed in 1970 by Algene Caraulia, and headquartered in
Cleveland, Ohio (from Anthony Schaaf <[email protected]>).

Kenpo Karate is considered to be a sub-style of Kajukenbo (see

eparate entry on Kenpo) and is very close to "the original"
Kajukenbo.

Tum Pai, created in part by Sifu Al Dacascos, is adminstered by Sifu
Jon Loren, and incorporates more of the soft, internal Chinese arts.

Kajukenbo Chuan Fa was created by Dela Cruz and Professor Emperado and
has been taken over by Leonard Endrizzi and Bill Owens. It includes
more Chinese martial arts than Kenpo Karate and is softer but no less
rigorous.

Wun Hop Kuen Do is the newest sub-style - the personal expression of
Sifu Dacascos, containing the original syllabus but with more Chinese
and Filipino influence.
 
Did the bo come from western boxing or chinese boxing. Besides being martial artists most of these men were also boxers as were many of the early Hawaiian kempoists
 
Wun Hop Kuen Do is not really a new art ..... Al Dacoscos has had this for over 30 years now...... It is a fun blend with more of a kung fu feel in the forms yet the fighting is more like kenpo.:asian:
 
Originally posted by Goldendragon7
Wun Hop Kuen Do is not really a new art ..... Al Dacoscos has had this for over 30 years now...... It is a fun blend with more of a kung fu feel in the forms yet the fighting is more like kenpo.:asian:

The FAQ isn't listing Wun Hop Kuen Do as a new art, but as the newest sub-style of Kajukenbo (as of the FAQ's writing). If any other Kajukenbo sub-styles have come into existence since WHKD's founding, please, let us know! :)

Cthulhu
 
Yes, I saw that......... sorry for the confussion.
I learned the sil Lum 6 from Eric Lee 30 years ago, it has always been one of my favorite additional sets to play with.

:asian:
 
The four recognized divisions of Kajukenbo are accurate; Kajukenbo-kenpo, Chuan-fa, Tum Pai, and Won Hop Kuen Do. Kajukenbo has lots of offshoots and breakaways, but these four are the only "official" divisions. The chuan-fa division is the most eclectic and least regimented in terms of official curriculum, and has become sort of a catch-all category for alot of softer kajukenbo practitioners. Because of the the eclectic nature of the art it has alot of unofficial offshoots as recognized blackbelts studied other arts and incorporated in other arts and broke away.

The "bo" section comes from both the western and eastern boxing traditions. Some offshoots focus on western boxing in particular such as CHA-3 Kenpo.

In regards to the similarity of kenpo and kajukenbo, well I found the transition fairly easy. Kajukenbo (at least he kajukenbo-kenpo that I did) had a greater grappling focus than kenpo karate does. Most of the defenses focused on blocking or evasion, on or two good return shots, a takedown, and then destroying the person on the ground. After moving and changing schools, I always thought a self-defense technique felt incomplete unless he was on the ground and my foot wasn't on his neck. :)

Cool timing, just last night I worked out with my original kajukenbo instructor.

Lamont
 
To Any Who Care To Partake,
The kajukenpo that I've been witness to is more akin to the Japanese styles of karate. I partook in a comparative styles seminar. Featuring KI kajukenpo, and Parker/Tracy kenpo. Is there as big a difference between KI kajukenpo, and Emperado kajukenbo as say between P.K.S./Tracy kenpo? The later systems have alot of simularities. While some applicational differences can be major. Is this also the case between the different kajukenbo-kenpo branches? It seems that the KI kajukenpo I have seen uses alot of judo/jujitsu type maneuvers. Again is this typical of the system as a whole? Thanks for the info..
Salute in Christ,
Curious:D
 
Hi Donald,

After reading over a couple of websites and looking at their requirements, the two systems seem fairly different. The KI kajukenpo does have a much larger Judo and Karate influence than in Kajukenbo. In particular, their curriculum requires a number of traditional okinawan forms that aren't used at all in Kajukenbo. Kajukenbo-kenpo only uses 15 (I think) forms called Pinians or Palamas Sets that are fairly short.

Alot of the kajukenbo-kenpo forms are fairly hard, and but you will still see flow in movement that you don't in most Japanese/Okinawan forms presentation. The jujitsu/judo in kajukenbo is primarily seen in the takedowns and jointlocks (duh I guess :)), but most finishing moves are through striking.

Without seeing someone in action I can't speak to how similar they are, but they definately emphasize a different branch than the original kajukenbo.

Lamont
 
'The "bo" section comes from both the western and eastern boxing traditions. Some offshoots focus on western boxing in particular such as CHA-3 Kenpo.'


Yes, this is true from what I understand too but I also learned that at one time very early on the "bo" was for the martial arts weapon, the 6' bo.
 
Karazenpo said:
'The "bo" section comes from both the western and eastern boxing traditions. Some offshoots focus on western boxing in particular such as CHA-3 Kenpo.'


Yes, this is true from what I understand too but I also learned that at one time very early on the "bo" was for the martial arts weapon, the 6' bo.
Hi Joe, Funny how time and distance from the original art changes...

I remember things that no one else even mentions...Like a lot of filipino arts,

Rick Faye, teach's almost exclusive Filipino arts...I was at a seminar the other night put on by Carlito Bonjac Jr. He said to me, we were warriors back then and we still are.

It is now sticks for Bolo's and all the weapons with an edge.
When you get better I will teach you the sharp weapons...

I don't know about that one, he is pretty fast and furious with the stick and empty hands..He use's hard rattan and it hurts...

Regards, Gary
 
GAB said:
Hi Joe, Funny how time and distance from the original art changes...

I remember things that no one else even mentions...Like a lot of filipino arts,

Rick Faye, teach's almost exclusive Filipino arts...I was at a seminar the other night put on by Carlito Bonjac Jr. He said to me, we were warriors back then and we still are.

It is now sticks for Bolo's and all the weapons with an edge.
When you get better I will teach you the sharp weapons...

I don't know about that one, he is pretty fast and furious with the stick and empty hands..He use's hard rattan and it hurts...

Regards, Gary
Everybody in Kajukenbo knows that the Escrima of Alfredo Peralta plays a important role our system. A outsider just watching the first 4 punch counters would immediately see the escrima strikes. Empty handed escrima strikes are blended into several Kajukenbo techniques.
Escrima is so popular with most of the old time Filipino Kajukenbo instructors, that escrima competition is included in our annual tournament.

Here's a picture from last years K.S.D.I. Tournament in Las Vegas.
 

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I've studied Wun Hop Kuen Do. From what I've seen, it doesn't look anything like kenpo.

I'd be interested in finding out about the similariteis and differences to Kajukembo.

Here are some distinct features of Wun Hop Kuen Do:

1) Tiger stance. This stance is as follows: Front foot 45 *, back foot straight, toes of both feet on a line, Weight 70/30, Rear heel off the ground. This stance is IMHO, the heart and soul of WHKD...it protects the groin, is massively mobile, and allows the springing power of the raised rear heel.

2) Unlike Kempo, there are no pre blocked self defence techniques. Everything is improvised (see 3)

3) Self defence drills. WHKD has some very powerful drills that train the students ability to improvise and adapt to the situation. The most commonly used drills are 4 COUNT STREET and MONKEY LINE.

4) WHKD forms are kung fu forms. They are drawn from Northern Shaolin and Si Lum Pai kung fu. I'm not sure about the complete list of forms but I know it includes:

Limpo
Pek Si Lum # 6
(these two are from Northern Shaolin)
Sui Wan (small circles) (not sure where this is from)
Si Lum Pai (I beleive that this form comes from Buck Sam Kongs Hung Gar, but BSK doesn't have a form by this name, so I think it may be a synthesis)
 
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