Randy Ong

 

History of Kajukenbo

 

In 1947 with the aid of several martial artists, Professor Adriano Emperado formed “The Secret Black Belt Society.”

 

 The five original members and the arts they contributed are:

 

KA         Instructor P.Y.Y. Choo:

             Tang Soo Do

 

JU         Instructor Joe Holck:

              Kodokan Judo / Danzan Ryu Jujitsu

 

             Instructor Frank Ordonez:

             Se Kieno Jujitsu

 

KEN    Professor Adriano Emperado:

             Kempo

 

BO        Professor C. Chang:

             Si Lum Pai Gung Fu

 

The emphasis was placed on Kempo and its prime objective was to develop the “Ultimate System of Self Defense.”

 

The five founders met secretly for a two-year period exchanging information and ideas about various defenses and counter attacks. Testing the techniques against each other as well as testing them on the street.

 

When the Korean War began, Holck, Choo, Ordonez and Chang were drafted into the military service. Professor Emperado remained in Hawaii.

 

As the emphasis changed from teaching a small select group of top Kempo artist, to the training of the general public, the name was changed from the “Black Belt Society” to the “Kajukenbo Self Defense Institute.” The first Kajukenbo school open to the public was located in Kalihi Valley, Honolulu. It was located in the tough Palama Settlement and gained a reputation as a brutal no-nonsense school.

 

What is Kajukenbo

 

Karate

The “KA” segment of Kajukenbo represents the kicking and striking techniques employed in the Korean Karate System of Tang Soo Do (Way of the Chinese Hand). Tang Soo Do is a composite system 60% Soo Bahk Do, 30% Northern Chinese and 10% Southern Chinese. The kicking techniques are Soo Bahk Do developed by Hwang Kee. Tang So Do Duk Kwan is pure self-defense oriented and has no sport application.

 

Judo

The “JU” segment of Kajukenbo represents Kodokan Judo. Japanese Judo (Gentle Way) is sub-divided into four major classifications of techniques: Nage Waza (Throwing Techniques), Katame Waza (Holds and Locks), Shime Waza (Choking Arts), Atemi Waza (Attacking Vital Points with Strikes). Dr Jigoro Kano is credited with founding Kodokan Judo in 1882. Judo is based on the combat arms of Jujitsu. Judo is sport oriented; however, the throwing techniques have evolved much further than what was accomplished in its predecessor Jujitsu. The throws and choking techniques are emphasized in Kajukenbo.

 

Jiu Jitsu

The “JU” segment of Kajukenbo emphasizes Jiu Jitsu. Se Keino Japanese Jujitsu and Dan Zan Ryu Hawaiian Jiu Jitsu are combined with Kenpo Jiu Jitsu techniques. Jiu Jitsu (Gentle Art), employs the same techniques as Judo, however, it is not sport oriented. The emphasis is on throws, joint locks and choking techniques. Shihan Joe Holck’s instructor, Henry Sieshiro Okazaki, the founder of Dan Zan Ryu Jiu Jitsu, sub-divided the system into Yawara (Releases), Naga No Kata (Throws), Shime No Kata (Constriction Techniques) and Oku No Kata (Combinations).

 

Kenpo

The “KEN” segment of Kajukenbo represents Kenpo (Fist Law). Kajukenbo emphasizes Kenpo Jiu Jitsu techniques. Kenpo prioritizes its art in the following order: punching, and striking techniques, kicking techniques, throwing techniques, lock and choking techniques.

 

Koshoryu Kenpo (Old Pine Tree Method Fist Law), is the Kenpo system employed in Kajkukenbo. It is a fist style of self-defense which does not employ weapons. The Mitose family is purported to have taught this system for 21 generations. It is a Japanese art based on Chinese Shaolin and probably Okinawan Kenpo. Professor James M. Mitose taught this system to Professor William K.S. Chow. Professor Chow also incorporated the Shaolin techniques taught to him by his father. Professor Chow’s family is Chinese and Kenpo origins are Chinese. Emphasis was placed on Chinese Kenpo rather than Japanese Kenpo and the Kenpo taught to Professor Emperado was the combination of techniques taught by Professor Chow and Professor Mitose.

 

Chuan Fa Gung Fu

The “BO” segment of Kajukenbo represents Chinese Boxing. Chinese Boxing is Chung-Kuo Ch”Uan and is also referred to as Chuan Fa (Fist Style). The term Gung Fu translates as skill.

 

Chinese Boxing is divided into two major schools of thought: The internal Systems (Yin or Soft Styles) and External Systems (Yang or Hard Styles). Most systems employ techniques from both. The Shaolin and Hung Gar Systems are hard styles and Tai Chi Chuan and Hsing-I are examples of soft styles.

 

Kajukenbo is primarily based on Kenpo and Hung Gar Systems stressing hard form or power techniques. The five basic Chinese Martial Arts Hung (Power Punches), Li (Pokes and Slaps), Mo (Blocking and Breaking), Choy (Kicks and Side Punches) and Fut (Sliding Techniques) are the basis for the Shaolin System from which Chuan Fa and Kenpo originated.