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Ryukyu Kempo
Ninjutsu HistoryNinjutsu History Ninjutsu evolved and developed as a way of life for the ..... Ryukyu Kempo is a Japanese martial arts style that was studied and taught by Gichin Funakoshi in Okinawa. Ryukyu Kempo more or less translates into Okinawan kung-fu or Chinese boxing science. The basic principle of Ryukyu Kempo is that an opponent has body points that can be hit or locked into for a more effective fighting.
Ryukyu Kempo practitioners are in the opinion that Karate-Do is a sub-form of Kempo. Those who possess early copies of the first edition of Gichin Funakoshi's book, Ryukyu Kempo, claim that Funakoshi was clearly grappling and in contact with his opponent. However, subsequent editions of Funakoshi's book and current books on karate only depict a Ryukyu Kempo practitioner with retracted blow. Many practitioners believe that Funakoshi was the last of the purists, and had the desire for every individual to learn the art of Ryukyu Kempo.
Over the years, the people of Okinawa felt estranged with the Japanese. Okinawans have their own culture and history and as their disillusion grew, they became more reluctant to the Japanese their "secret techniques" of self-defense. When the Americans came and occupied Japan at the end of World War II, the Americans developed a strong interest in Japan's martial arts. One theory has it that the Japanese and Okinawans did not want to impart the secrets of their national martial art to the Americans so they instead taught a "watered down" version of karate-do, one that was typically reserved for children.
Modern practitioners of Kempo hone their skills in Kyushu-jitsu (pressure point fighting) and Tuite (grappling). Kempo is a precise art of hitting small targets such as nerve centers on the opponent's body, and grappling (locking) body points, which is similar to Jujitsu or Aikido. Teachers of modern Kempo include George Dillman (Reading, PA), Taiku Oyata (Independence, MO) and Rick Clark (Terre Haute, IN). Dillman was Oyata's student many years ago but it appears that they do not have a cordial relationship today.
Kempo practitioners stand by the belief that Kata is the defender's positional techniques instead of a representation of the origin or direction of attacks. Kempo concentrates on the perfection of Kata and Bunkai, which refers to the explanation of movements. Competitions of Kata and Kumite (sparring) are espoused and considered grounds for accumulating experience. However, the competition aspect of Kempo is not overly emphasized. Kobudo or weapons fighting using ordinary hand tools is also part of Kempo training.
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