Eric Daniel
Green Belt
I have been doing some research on American Kenpo Karate and I have learned a lot about Kenpo Karate. The "father" of American Kenpo Karate is Ed Parker. Ed Parker learned Kempo from William chow in Hawaii. Kenpo means law of fist. After achieving his dan (black belt) rank he went to college and got a bachlors degree in Psychology. After that he came to the United States and opened his first dojo (school), it was also the first Karate school in the United States. Ed took what he learned from William Chow, revised it and came up with theories and concepts that will work more in today's world. Because of this many people believe Kenpo Karate is a good Martial Art to get into if you want sort of "reality" type of moves. On December 15, 1990 Ed died at the age of 59. Today there are many practiotioners out there who do and teach Kenpo Karate, Of these are Jeff Speakman, Larry Tattum, and Chuck Sullivan. (There are many others I just put down a few names that you might be familar with for Kenpo Karate.)