Let's talk Kajukenbo

[White Warlock]

Why? Well because it is one system i've always been curious about, and had very little exposure to. I understand we have a few practitioners in the mix now and would love to pick their noses... err... brains.

From what i gather, my background would make me a quick shoe-in for absorbing that system. Thoughts?

[Muaythaiboxer]

kajukenbo is a really interesting art it combines karate,judo/jiujitsu/kenpo/and chinese and western boxing it was kind of the first strikeing art to really incorperate grappling.

[pineapple]

The founder of the Kajukenbo system, Adriano Emperado, was one of the first to break out of the one style only mold. He told his students that if they found techniques from other styles that worked, to add it to their system. His word of advice to Kajukenbo instructors was "Be Creative" and this is why there are so many different branches of Kajukenbo and each a little bit different.

[White Warlock]

Hmm, so if i were to look for a kajukenbo school, what would be the things you recommend i look for? I.e., of all the systems out there, this is one i've always held an interest in actually obtaining a 'rank' in (shudders at the thought).

[pineapple]

The original style is advertised as such, Kajukenbo, original method.

Most have websites. I would suggest doing a search on the web.

[John Bishop]

Well I see from you intro that you have done some San Soo, jujitsu, karate, and some other arts. The San Soo I've seen in So. Cal. is a very street defense oriented system. One of my black belts also had a black belt in San Soo, and he took well to Kajukenbo training, but he had also trained in Kajukenbo as a teenager in Hawaii.

The "Original Method" of Kajukenbo has many jujitsu and judo techniques blended into the various combinations.

If your use to hard training with strong contact, and a lot of takedowns mixed into your karate techniques, then Kajukenbo would probably be a good fit for you.

[White Warlock]

In your honest opinions, have the various base systems been merged fluidly, to create an mma system in kajukenbo that is more than mere 'techniques'? I ask this because although i can read info from sites (which i've done a little already), and can visit a school, it would only be after months, possibly years, before i would be able to 'feel' this art's path. In this, i'm hoping for insight into such from those who have been studying thusfar.

thanks again.

[John Bishop]

In your honest opinions, have the various base systems been merged fluidly, to create an mma system in kajukenbo that is more than mere 'techniques'? I ask this because although i can read info from sites (which i've done a little already), and can visit a school, it would only be after months, possibly years, before i would be able to 'feel' this art's path. In this, i'm hoping for insight into such from those who have been studying thusfar.

thanks again.

Kajukenbo's strong point is how the techniques from the differant arts flow together without major transitions and changes in movement. The problem with some MMA's is that they teach differant techniques from differant arts, but they teach them "separately", or in combinations that do not flow/transition well.

Example would be a outward twisting wrist lock, or what the Japanese call a koto gashi. In jujitsu or aikido this lock would be done using a circular/semi-circular stepping pattern. That makes the lock work well, but dosent allow for the blending of a karate kick/strike etc.

Lets say someone lunges at you with a knife. In Kajukenbo "Knife Counter 6", you would turn right into a karate cat stance, making your body a thinner (for some) target. At this point you would make the catch of the attackers wrist/hand. You would then pivot back to your left while applying the wrist lock. Instead of continuing in a circular pattern to the takedown, your now facing the attacker with the lock applied to the point that he is about to go down. You assist his going down by kicking the knee of his forward leg, just before applying the last amout of twist necessary to take him down or disjoint his elbow.

By using karate/kung fu stances when doing locks and arm bars, you are able to also use strikes and kicks to enhance the effectiveness of the technique.

We also use the escrima philosophy of "limb destruction" to make useless the weapon the attacker uses (arm/leg joints or muscles) against you. So in the case of a arm bar. Instead of using it to take the attacker down on his face; once the arm is locked in a straight lock, you would disjoint the elbow with a palm strike or bottom fist strike against the locked elbow. Then you'd let him fall on his face.

It looks better in person or on video.

But anyway, the differant techniques have to transition fluidly from one to the other, or mixing styles dosent work in combinations.

[pineapple]

For your info, White Warlock, John Bishop is a well known ranking member of the Kajukenbo family so he'll be able to provide good information for you!......and to you, John Bishop, welcome and I'm glad to see that you've joined this forum!

[John Bishop]

.....and to you, John Bishop, welcome and I'm glad to see that you've joined this forum!

Mahalo brother. Looks like a interesting forum here.