Karate and Kempo/Kenpo

[Kensai]

How are Karate and Kempo different?

 

Are they related?

[LeaF]

Karate comes from okinawa, kempo was oringinally chinese. Many of the founders of the karate styles founded their style on a basis of chinese kempo and okinawan Te. Edited August 9, 2002 by LeaF

[Taikudo-ka]

In some cases the word has become part of a style name, eg "Ed Parker's Kempo".

 

However, originally it is just a word that refers to martial arts. It means "fist method" or "fist system". In Chinese it is pronounced Quan Fa. On Okinawa it was pronounced Kempo. (or Kenpo). It is often translated as "boxing" in the west. Many early karate masters have referred to their art as kempo - Funakoshi's first book was originally titled something like "Ryukyu Kenpo Karate", with the "karate" written as "China Hand" as well. (To-te).

[Pacificshore]

Kensai,

 

As everyone said Karate/Kempo-Kenpo are related in the sense that it is derived from Chinese Chuan-Fa and then brought to Okinawa back in the day. Many of the Kempo/Kenpo systems has many katas that are similar in name/looks as that of the Japanese or Okinawan systems. Some schools of Kempo/Kenpo are different in the sense that they tend to lean more towards the chinese side of martial arts.

 

The one thing that I know, at least in the Kenpo system I was in, we had more self defense sets, unlike many or the traditional karate systems. Although kata was part of our training, it was the self defense that was largely emphasized over kata training. I've learn throughout the years tho that kata is a very important aspect of my training and I try to do both equally. Well hope this was of some help.

[Kensai]

Thanks, was indeed helpful.