What is Self-Defense: Kenpo Jiu-Jitsu by James Mitose
This classic is back in print. My copy was printed in the early 1980s. The original was printed back in 1953. Most of the Keno/Kempo taught in the United States traces directly back to James Mitose, and the most famous of his students, William Chow.
Showing posts with label Shaolin Kempo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shaolin Kempo. Show all posts
Sunday, June 09, 2019
Sunday, July 08, 2018
Animal Techniques
The branch of Shaolin Kempo I study has a lot of "kempo" techniques. These are similar to the combinations, but are not numbered, and are not rank required techniques.
Personally, I like teaching kempos. Plenty of interesting techniques that isn't in the forms and combinations. I throw a lot of them at my students, with the goal of having them remember the ones that work well them.
Some are sorted by the traditional five Shaolin animals. That method helps in remembering them as well. If you have two of each animal, you have ten kempos right off the bat.
When the students hit the brown/black levels, I want them to start identifying the animal techniques by principle, not just because their teacher told them so. So I put together short description of the principles of each of the five animals. Here is the description of tiger techniques. I'm starting with Tiger, because I like Tiger techniques.
Tiger is an offensive strategy that deals with using committed force and structural alignment to attack with maximum power. The Tiger represents courage, tenacity and power. By learning to use their whole body as a single unit, students exposed to Tiger are able to generate the most power possible. The Tiger relies on frontal assault, aggression, and power. Ripping and tearing as it moves always pressing. The Tiger is very powerful, direct and aggressive. The Tiger commits its entire mind and body into each move. There is no hesitation in the Tigers mind. Tiger strategy is very effective when an opponent is trying to maintain distance using Crane.
Personally, I like teaching kempos. Plenty of interesting techniques that isn't in the forms and combinations. I throw a lot of them at my students, with the goal of having them remember the ones that work well them.
Some are sorted by the traditional five Shaolin animals. That method helps in remembering them as well. If you have two of each animal, you have ten kempos right off the bat.
When the students hit the brown/black levels, I want them to start identifying the animal techniques by principle, not just because their teacher told them so. So I put together short description of the principles of each of the five animals. Here is the description of tiger techniques. I'm starting with Tiger, because I like Tiger techniques.
Tiger is an offensive strategy that deals with using committed force and structural alignment to attack with maximum power. The Tiger represents courage, tenacity and power. By learning to use their whole body as a single unit, students exposed to Tiger are able to generate the most power possible. The Tiger relies on frontal assault, aggression, and power. Ripping and tearing as it moves always pressing. The Tiger is very powerful, direct and aggressive. The Tiger commits its entire mind and body into each move. There is no hesitation in the Tigers mind. Tiger strategy is very effective when an opponent is trying to maintain distance using Crane.
Monday, July 10, 2017
Observations on 3 Combination
I was watching YouTube videos on 3 Combination today.
There are lot of them. Many of them want to 'fix' problems with combination.
IMO, those problems come from not executing 3 Combination correctly.
For example, the second strike is not a back fist. It's a back two knuckle punch. The person in the video made a good point about hurting the bones in the back of your hand if you missed the target with a back fist. The replacement strike he offered in the place of the back fist was a hammer strike, which is the same as the back fist in gross motor skills. I still prefer the back two knuckle punch, which is a linear strike, as opposed the circular strike of the back fist or hammer.
There are also a lot of good videos that show some interesting variations of 3 combination. I'll post links to those later.
There are lot of them. Many of them want to 'fix' problems with combination.
IMO, those problems come from not executing 3 Combination correctly.
For example, the second strike is not a back fist. It's a back two knuckle punch. The person in the video made a good point about hurting the bones in the back of your hand if you missed the target with a back fist. The replacement strike he offered in the place of the back fist was a hammer strike, which is the same as the back fist in gross motor skills. I still prefer the back two knuckle punch, which is a linear strike, as opposed the circular strike of the back fist or hammer.
There are also a lot of good videos that show some interesting variations of 3 combination. I'll post links to those later.
Thursday, February 05, 2015
New Class
My teaching schedule has changed.
I'm now running the Adult Black Belt Classes.
I've done Black Belt only classes before and they are fun. Especially when you have Sandan & Yondan's in the class.
You can go deeper into concepts and principles, which is way cool.
Spend most of last class digging into Swift Tigers with the upper ranks.
The lower ranks were analyzing each other doing Six Kata. A good skill for them to develop.
Saturday, November 15, 2014
Eight hands of the Leopard
One of the other black belts at the school (Tom) found this technique.
I like it. Interested in your opinions.
I like that the opening block is counted in the "eight hands." That fits with my "blocking is striking, striking is blocking" mantra.
I like it. Interested in your opinions.
I like that the opening block is counted in the "eight hands." That fits with my "blocking is striking, striking is blocking" mantra.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Twin Tigers Academy
Earlier in the year, I was out on the left coast and stopped by the Shaolin Kempo school my nephew studies at. It's the Twin Tigers Academy of Self Defense in Brentwood, CA.
I had a good chat with the head instructor. He is an old Shaolin Kempo guy who studied with Charles Materra, so our lineage is really similar.
If you are out that way, and are looking for a good Kempo school, stop by Twin Tigers!
I had a good chat with the head instructor. He is an old Shaolin Kempo guy who studied with Charles Materra, so our lineage is really similar.
If you are out that way, and are looking for a good Kempo school, stop by Twin Tigers!
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Good interviews for Kempo people
I've been listening some of the Martial Arts Lineage Project podcasts and there are two with Kempo instructors.
The first was with Senior Grandmaster George Pesare, the man who brought Kempo to the East Coast. Grandmaster Pesare was Nick Cerio's Kempo instructor and the first person to promote Cerio to Black Belt. A lot of good "no shit, I was there" history in this interview.
The second was with Shihan John James. Shihan James was a personal student of the late Grandmaster Nick Cerio and was one of the people selected by Cerio to be on the Board of Directors of Cerio's Kenpo after Cerio's death in 1998. I exchanged several emails with Shihan James around that time. He was always polite and very much a gentleman of the old school. That came across in this interview.
I recommend listening to them both.
The first was with Senior Grandmaster George Pesare, the man who brought Kempo to the East Coast. Grandmaster Pesare was Nick Cerio's Kempo instructor and the first person to promote Cerio to Black Belt. A lot of good "no shit, I was there" history in this interview.
The second was with Shihan John James. Shihan James was a personal student of the late Grandmaster Nick Cerio and was one of the people selected by Cerio to be on the Board of Directors of Cerio's Kenpo after Cerio's death in 1998. I exchanged several emails with Shihan James around that time. He was always polite and very much a gentleman of the old school. That came across in this interview.
I recommend listening to them both.
Sunday, July 03, 2011
MetroWest Martial Arts & Wellness Reopening!
MetroWest Martial Arts and Wellness has been closed down for several months as it moves to a much better location.
That move is almost complete! There was a delay while the local building inspectors did their work, but construction is now underway and the school will be reopening soon!
The new location is 74 Otis Street, Westborough, MA 01581.
I, for one, am looking forward to getting back to teaching and studying with the other instructors at MetroWest Martial Arts.
For more details, check out the MetroWest Martial Arts Facebook page.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Shaolin Kempo technique archive
I'm remiss in plugging a very good site that has taken the great effort of collecting and publishing the techniques of Shaolin Kempo. It's the Kempo Info site.
It really is a great resource, but personally I can't watch some of the videos of the Black Belt forms. IMHO, some of the forms are being performed as hard style karate forms, instead of more flowing Kung Fu forms. They just look wrong to me.
It really is a great resource, but personally I can't watch some of the videos of the Black Belt forms. IMHO, some of the forms are being performed as hard style karate forms, instead of more flowing Kung Fu forms. They just look wrong to me.
Monday, July 06, 2009
Back to teaching
I haven't been teaching very much the past couple of months. I was taking another class that met on the same night I usually teach.
Tonight, it's back to my regular class and I'm looking forward to it. I really enjoy teaching and it's a great way to refine your technique as well.
Tonight, it's back to my regular class and I'm looking forward to it. I really enjoy teaching and it's a great way to refine your technique as well.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Recent Black Belt Test
MetroWest Martial Arts and Wellness in Westborough, MA recently held another Black Belt test.
I was one of the people giving the test. It's only been three years since my last test, so I'm good for awhile. :-)
The test went well and the folks going for Shodan & Nidan really shined.
In case any of my dear readers are still spreading that myth about belts slowly getting dirtier over time until the advanced students belts were black, here is the true history of using colored belts for ranking.
I was one of the people giving the test. It's only been three years since my last test, so I'm good for awhile. :-)
The test went well and the folks going for Shodan & Nidan really shined.
In case any of my dear readers are still spreading that myth about belts slowly getting dirtier over time until the advanced students belts were black, here is the true history of using colored belts for ranking.
Monday, January 05, 2009
Sixth Law of Kempo
Law of No Block
Kempo emphasizes economy of movement and economy of time. Kempo's no block principle teaches to avoid being struck by a punch or kick, you should move your body out of harm's way. As one of my old Saber coaches use to tell me, "It's all about controlling timing and distance."
In other words, a block is a wasted move because it does not stop your opponent from attacking again with their free limbs. It is much better to move out of the way and simultaneously counterattack.
This is a fairly complex concept to implement correctly. So I teach beginners to block.:-) Once they have a better understanding of the art, I introduce this concept.
Kempo has multiple systems of just blocks, but note that the more advanced onces involve traps, redirects and body movement (Next time you watch a Master do one of the blocking systems, pay attention to the movement of their spine.)
Kempo emphasizes economy of movement and economy of time. Kempo's no block principle teaches to avoid being struck by a punch or kick, you should move your body out of harm's way. As one of my old Saber coaches use to tell me, "It's all about controlling timing and distance."
In other words, a block is a wasted move because it does not stop your opponent from attacking again with their free limbs. It is much better to move out of the way and simultaneously counterattack.
This is a fairly complex concept to implement correctly. So I teach beginners to block.:-) Once they have a better understanding of the art, I introduce this concept.
Kempo has multiple systems of just blocks, but note that the more advanced onces involve traps, redirects and body movement (Next time you watch a Master do one of the blocking systems, pay attention to the movement of their spine.)
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Fifth Law of Kempo
Law of Kicking
Kempo's mandate to kick low is based on logic. A roundhouse kick and spinning reverse crescent kick to the head maybe flashy and impressive, but such maneuvers take longer to execute because your legs has to travel farther. They also expose your groin to your opponent's kick.
Kicking high requires superior balance and focus, you should practice your leg techniques high, and deliver them low for self-defense. Kicking low to the legs, executing a "pillar attack" can break your opponent's balance and legs.
As I tell my students, when your opponent is on the ground is the best time to kick them in the head.
Kempo's mandate to kick low is based on logic. A roundhouse kick and spinning reverse crescent kick to the head maybe flashy and impressive, but such maneuvers take longer to execute because your legs has to travel farther. They also expose your groin to your opponent's kick.
Kicking high requires superior balance and focus, you should practice your leg techniques high, and deliver them low for self-defense. Kicking low to the legs, executing a "pillar attack" can break your opponent's balance and legs.
As I tell my students, when your opponent is on the ground is the best time to kick them in the head.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Fourth Law of Kempo
Law of Targets
You are not going to break your knuckles punching an attacker's temple. A kick to the groin will not fracture your instep. A knife hand strike to the throat will hurt the throat more than your hand.
Kempo teaches you to choose your targets in order to maximize damage to your opponent while minimizing damage to yourself.
You are not going to break your knuckles punching an attacker's temple. A kick to the groin will not fracture your instep. A knife hand strike to the throat will hurt the throat more than your hand.
Kempo teaches you to choose your targets in order to maximize damage to your opponent while minimizing damage to yourself.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Third Law of Kempo
Law of Multiple Strikes
Kempo teaches you to strike first and strike often in rapid succession. You train to hit high, low, straight in, and along a circular path.
First you stun, distract, and slow your opponent. Then you take him/her/whatever out.
Kempo teaches you to strike first and strike often in rapid succession. You train to hit high, low, straight in, and along a circular path.
First you stun, distract, and slow your opponent. Then you take him/her/whatever out.
Friday, August 01, 2008
Second Law of Kempo
Law of the First Strike
If a confrontation is inevitable, you should not wait for the aggressor to attack first! You need to hit him first with your foot, fist, elbow, knee, etc. You need to hit the attacker hard and hit continuously until they are subdued.
If a confrontation is inevitable, you should not wait for the aggressor to attack first! You need to hit him first with your foot, fist, elbow, knee, etc. You need to hit the attacker hard and hit continuously until they are subdued.
Monday, July 07, 2008
First Law of Kempo
Law of the Circle and Line
The first law of Kempo states that when your opponent charges straight in and attacks, you should use your feet to move your body along a circular path, while moving your arms in a circular pattern to deflect the oncoming force. When your opponent attacks you in a circular pattern, you should respond with a fast linear attack along a straight line.
The first law of Kempo states that when your opponent charges straight in and attacks, you should use your feet to move your body along a circular path, while moving your arms in a circular pattern to deflect the oncoming force. When your opponent attacks you in a circular pattern, you should respond with a fast linear attack along a straight line.
Saturday, June 07, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
A good teacher
I was at the dojo tonight working on the computer system and got to watch Dan teach for a while. Dan is a really good teacher. As an instructor myself, I like to watch other instructors at work. There is always something to learn. Dan has been teaching for a long time, and I like his style of teaching. He teaches principles as well as good technique.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
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