Kahn's Practical Self-Defense
Mixed Martial Arts for the Real World
I come to you with only Karate, empty hands. I have no weapons,but should I be forced to defend myself, my principles or my honor, should it be a matter of life or death, right or wrong; then here are my weapons, Karate, my empty hands.Mr. Edmund K. Parker
I have always had a great fascination for the Martial Arts. I can still distinctly remember my first exposure to the Martial Arts (1972, I was 14), corny or not, it was the old David Carradine T.V. show "Kung Fu". I was awestruck by many of the things I saw. The incredible physical feats of self-defense that they were "able" to perform, and at the same time, the deeply ingrained philosophies that where taught to the students. They had a calm, peaceful and easy going demeanor, that is until they were left with no other alternative but to fight, and then they would fight to win.Jeff Kahn
Kenpo Karate was my first love in martial arts. It is an Americanized version of traditional martial arts. Americanized means that it keeps only what genuinely works of the old. It does not keep any self defense aspects that are not proven in today's world. Its techniques are based on truth and science. It is simply the best empty hand system available.
The Kenpo program we teach at Kahn's Practical Self-Defense is the full "Parker Kenpo" system, not a watered down version or "knock off". You will know this because many of us were tested by and promoted to one or more Black Belt levels directly by Mr. Ed Parker himself.
The exact history of Karate has been lost in the antiquity of time, and consequently no definite date can be established as to when it actually began. Many of the records that exist today are obscure and incorrect. We cannot tell how many writings have been destroyed or how many developments have never been recorded. Nor can we ascertain the truthfulness of the existing records. Bits of information seem to indicate that Karate, as it is known today, may have been practiced in India and China as long as five thousand years ago. Writings on turtle shells tell us that the Chinese did in fact practice the Art as far back as 21 B.C.
Although its true origin is obscure, a popular story that prevails gives credit to the Indian Priest Daruma or 'Bodhidharma in about 525 A.D. However, other great men such as Hua O'o (190 - 265 A.D.) a brilliant doctor and Yuen Fei a popular general (who lived during the Sung Dynasty 960 - 1275 A.D.) were considered the forefathers of modern day Karate. Karate originated as Kenpo meaning fist law (a term used by the Okinawan to describe the Chinese system). From China it crossed over to Okinawa where, known as "te", it consisted primarily of blows, chops and rips with the hand and fingers.
In 1923 the Okinawans changed the oriental character of Karate, which was then Chinese to that of a Japanese character. Then the meaning changed from "hands of China" to "empty hand". This change assuredly brought about a deeper meaning in which the spiritual overcame the physical.
From Okinawa two experts, Kenwa Mabuni and Gigen Funakoshi lifted Karate's veil of secrecy in 1916 to introduce their techniques to Japan. Their aim was not to promote Karate as a martial art but as a sport throughout Japan.
Long before the Art was ever introduced to Okinawa many styles of the Art existed in China. Each style or system was noted for at least one distinct feat such as the development of the tiger claw, butterfly kick, panther punch, etc. In addition, many members of the various systems guarded their secret ways of training. Among the systems of Southern China stemming from the Shaolin or Shorinji temple the most well known were the following five; namely; Hung, Liu, Ts'ai, or choi in Cantonese, li and mo. There are other Cantonese as well as northern systems, The northern styles placed great emphasis on the floor rolling, use of the feet and jumping movements. Because of this, not much emphasis was placed on strong stances. The southern styles placed great emphasis on stance work as well as handwork.
There are basically five known styles in Okinawa -- Kobsyshi-ryu, Shoriji-ryu, Shito-ryu, Goju-ryu and Euchi-ryu.
In the last few decades since the Japanese took it up, the techniques have been modified so that they too claim styles of their own such as Shoto-kan, Shudo-kan, Wado-ryu, Chitose-ryu and others.
The Koreans have also modified their techniques claiming such styles as Tae-kwan-do, Moo-do-kwan, Tang-soo-do and others.
Regardless of National modifications that were developed and suited to their individual environment, we can say that four main systems exist in the Orient today -- Chinese, Okinawan, Korean, and Japanese. In comparison, Chinese styles are graceful, flowing, circular, and are much more flexible than the Japanese (who believe in power punches and kicks), Okinawan (who stress breathing exercises), and Koreans (who specialize in high kicks and breaking of boards and bricks) styles which are basically rigid.
Unfortunately, many of the classical Chinese styles along with the Japanese, Okinawan, and Korean styles are impractical as a modern means of self-defense. This stems from the fact that many of these systems were originally designed for exercise. In addition, most of these styles today do not recognize the need for change especially in our "environment". While some offer excellent ideas on unarmed fighting, a number of their methods are outdated, and unfit for present day fighting.
These same arts, influenced by the Chinese, were brought to the Hawaiian Islands. It was here that Mr. Ed Parker, a native of Hawaii, learned these arts under one of the world's leading black belt holders and American innovators of the Art, Prof. William K.S. Chow.
In addition to Prof. Chow's modifications, Mr. Parker has also realized the need to revise the old methods to cope with modern day fighting. Thus the system he now teaches is unique, practical, realistic, applicable and encompasses sound logic, reasoning and theoretical innovations not yet employed by other systems. Through Mr. Parker's innovations a fifth system has emerged -- the American system -- to be more specific "The Parker System of Karate".
Although we should respect the various styles of Karate stemming from the Orient we must not overlook their need for improvement. While Mr. Parker's system still retains traditional flavor to enhance ethical behavior, it has been designed to fit the needs and ability of the individual concerned.
We should be grateful for Mr. Parker's unending contributions and proud and privileged that we had his creative knowledge to guide us in keeping abreast with updated developments.
Senior Grandmaster Ed Parker was known worldwide as the "Father of American Kenpo". He was the founder and president of the International Kenpo Karate Association, and the Ed Parker Karate Studios. He is the Father of American Karate having originated the first American version of Karate. He opened the first professional Karate studio In the United States in Pasadena, California in 1956.
He has been featured In National and International magazines: Time, Look, Strength and Health, Show Business Illustrated, Iron Man, Action Karate, Black Belt, Karate Illustrated, Official Karate, Inside Kung Fu, American Karate, and Karate/Kung Fu Illustrated; In newspapers nationwide; articles In the World Encyclopedia and many others.
He has appeared in dozens of movies and television shows including Revenge of the Pink Panther and The Curse of the Pink Panther. In addition, he has taught karate to nearly every big name actor and actress in Hollywood since the late 1950's. He has also been a technical advisor for motion pictures and TV.
Throughout the years, Mr. Parker has authored many books: Basic Karate, Kenpo Karate, The Woman's Guide-to Self Defense, Secrets of Chinese Karate, A Guide to Law Enforcement, Guide to the Nunchaku, Infinite Insights in Kenpo (Volumes 1-5), The Zen of Kenpo, Inside Elvis and much more.
He is a graduate of Kamehameha High School In (1949), Honolulu, Hawaii where he was born and raised. Mr. Parker received a B.S. Degree from Brigham Young University in 1956, with a Major in Sociology and Psychology, and a Minor in Political Science.
Mr. Parker produced the largest annual martial arts tournament, the International Karate Championships in Long Beach, California.
Mr. Parker's uniqueness rests in his continuous efforts to combat traditional restrictions binding progressive thinking. He was truly a creative genius because of his incredible ability to discover the problems within the Martial Arts. His contributions and innovations are endless, encompassing logic and reasoning not yet employed by others. His nearly four decades of experience, contributions, and endeavors establish him as the Master and Founder of our system, and the author of our training material.
Every beginning student starts his martial arts career with a white belt. Void of martial knowledge but still a useful belt. From there the student will go through: Yellow, Orange, Purple, Blue, Green, Brown and Black.
There is an old story about the origin of the Black Belt:
Originally there were only white belts and like any other belt it was simply there to keep your clothing together.
Then, after training for a while it would start to soil with sweat and dirt. (While the uniform is to be kept immaculately clean you were not to wash the belt because you would be washing out the hard earned knowledge). Then with continued training and hard work it would darken to black. This would only mean for example, that if you walked into a school you would be able to recognize the instructor because he would have the "Blackest belt"
This story goes one step further. If you continue to pursue Martial knowledge over a long period of time the belt begins to really wear and fray, turning white again to show you have gone full circle.