FAQs
(Frequently Asked Questions)
KEMPO OR KENPO
Both spellings are correct. The difference lies in the pronunciation
rules in Japanese and how the Japanese written language ( known as
kanji ) is translated into English. However, the use of the “N”
spelling is more common in the branches of Kenpo that developed in
America, out of Ed Parker's system.
KENPO
Kenpo is a compound Japanese word that translates as "fist law". It is
a Japanese translation of the Chinese term Chaun-Fa, which also means
"fist law". Kenpo (oe Kempo) was a Japanese reference to Chinese
martial arts - often called Kung Fu in English. However, in modern
times it refers to mostly Americanized martial arts systems that trace
thier roots from China, to Japan, to Hawaii and ultimately to the
mainland United States.
EMPTY HAND OR CHINA HAND (η©Ίζ or εζ)
Even among non-martial artists it is common knowledge that the term
karate translates into “empty hand” in English. This however was not
always the case. The term Karate started in Okinawa as Okinawians
developed a fighting style from their native styles and Chinese
Chuan-Fa. The term pronounced Kara can be spelled in Japanese as either
China or empty. Two different words, pronounced the same in this
context. The original term is China Hand. With the introduction of
Karate to Japan, the term was changed to Empty Hand, possibly due to
animosity between Japan and China. Many modern Kenpo styles use the
China Hand spelling when displaying the name of their style in
Kanji.