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SHAOLIN KEMPO HISTORY
The art of Kempo/Kenpo Karate is a combination of ancient fighting techniques with modern scientific principles (structured mixed martial arts within one complete system) that provides realistic self-defense and training for men, women and children. The art of Shaolin Kempo Karate has evolved from numerous systems of the martial arts over the years: Shaolin 5 Animal Kung Fu, Jiu Jitsu, Kempo, many different styles of Karate, as well as the art of White Tiger Chin-Na, along with forms or Katas and 108 key techniques that have survived throughout the ages.
The Shaolin Temple was first built around 495AD by a Chinese Emperor named Hsino Weh and was used as a Zhengzhou, of central China. It was in 525AD during the Chou Dynasty that an Indian Monk, by the name of Bodhidharma (Ta Mo in Chinese, Daruma in Japanese) under the tutelage of Pranjnatara, went to China, where it was felt that the principles of Buddhism and meditation were needed. To help the Shaolin Monks withstand long hours of meditation he taught them 18 breathing techniques and exercises. These drills were called the Shih Pa Lo Han Sho or "Eighteen Hands of Lohan". The concepts and principles taught by Bodhidharma were part of the basis that they built the temple's fighting style on, even though these 18 exercises were never originally intended to be utilized as methods of fighting. They were a manner in which the monks could attain enlightenment while preserving their physical health.
About forty years or so after the death of Bodhidharma, during the Sui period, it is told that many assaults were made on the Shaolin monastery. During the first invasion, the monk's attempts at defending their temple was futile, their skills were not attuned to fighting techniques. It seemed as if the temple would fall. A monk, only referred to as the "Begging monk", during one of the sieges of the temple, attacked several of the outlaws with aggressive hand and foot techniques killing some and driving the remaining attacker away. This inspired the other monks to request tutelage in this martial style as a means of protection. In later scripts, this fighting art was recorded as Ch’uan Fa or Fist Way (Kempo).
Decades later, a master of Ch’uan Fa called Ch'ueh Taun Shang-jen rediscovered the original Shih pa Lo Han Sho, which had been lost since the death of Bodhidharma. Ch'ueh, over time, combined Chuan Fa with the 18 Hands of Lo Han, increasing the number of techniques to a total of 72. He then traveled throughout China promoting his art. In his travels, he met up with a man named Li in the province of Shensi. Li, also a Ch’uan Fa master teamed up and trained with Ch'uen and in time, formed a total of 172 techniques. They divided these techniques into five distinctive groups according to the type animal they most reflected. These groups were the Dragon, Tiger, Crane, Leopard and Snake. To this day, the Five Animals are important parts of the Shaolin Kempo Karate system.
Videos
Elvis Presley Kempo/Kenpo Karate demonstration
The Perfect Weapon (Movie) - What is Kempo/Kenpo Karate
Kempo/Kenpo Karate history interview and demonstration with GM Ed Parker