Kara-Ho Kempo (the unity of spirit, mind, soul and body, fist law) is a
martial art
Martial arts are codified systems and traditions of combat practiced for a number of reasons such as self-defense; military and law enforcement applications; competition; physical, mental, and spiritual development; entertainment; and the preserv ...
created in the 1930s by the late
William Kwai Sun Chow
William Kwai-sun Chow (July 3, 1914 – September 21, 1987, AKA William Ah Sun Chow-Hoon) was instrumental in the development of the martial arts in the United States, specifically the family of styles referred to as kenpo/ kempo.
Born in Hon ...
of Hawaii (July 3, 1914 - September 21, 1987). The system can best be described as a series of rapid strikes (punches and kicks) to the vital areas of an opponent. The system calls for an equal use of both the hands and feet and, also, teaches self-defense techniques against weapons and multiple attackers.
Part of the Kara-Ho Kempo curriculum consists of empty hand and weapons kata, featuring weapons originating in
Ryukyu
The , also known as the or the , are a chain of Japanese islands that stretch southwest from Kyushu to Taiwan: the Ōsumi, Tokara, Amami, Okinawa, and Sakishima Islands (further divided into the Miyako and Yaeyama Islands), with Yonagu ...
(modern day
Okinawa, Japan
is a prefecture of Japan. Okinawa Prefecture is the southernmost and westernmost prefecture of Japan, has a population of 1,457,162 (as of 2 February 2020) and a geographic area of 2,281 km2 (880 sq mi).
Naha is the capital and largest city ...
),
China, and the
Philippines
The Philippines (; fil, Pilipinas, links=no), officially the Republic of the Philippines ( fil, Republika ng Pilipinas, links=no),
* bik, Republika kan Filipinas
* ceb, Republika sa Pilipinas
* cbk, República de Filipinas
* hil, Republ ...
with 18 weapons total and 3
kata for each weapon.
Kwai Sun Company
Kara-Ho Kempo is overseen by the Kwai Sun Company, an organization created in 1978 by Chow and his top student Samuel Alama Kuoha. This organization is responsible for maintaining student records and membership, as well as the training and dan rank promotions for the roughly 150 schools worldwide. All rank certificates and diplomas are numbered and issued directly by The Kwai Sun Company.
Kara-Ho Kempo is currently headed by Sam Kuoha (10th dan), but the organization, also, has an International Board of Directors composed of black belt instructors that aid in creating and maintaining the stringent rules and guidelines for the system.
Chow's Chinese Kara-Ho Kempo currently has a membership of about 5000 students,, most of which are in the
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
.
See also
Kenpo
References
{{Reflist
Sources
*Sam Kuoha and Ka'imi Kuoha "''Chinese Kara-Ho Kempo Volume One''". Unique Publications, 2000
External links
Kara-Ho Kempo official website
Kenpō
Martial arts in the United States