Kenpo in America

[MasterPain]

After mentioning Kenpo's black gi in another thread, I got interested in why the American Kenpo gi is traditionally black (at least among higher ranks). I discovered more of what I already know- that Kenpo/Kempo is a tangled mess up in here. Nobody can agree upon the rightful history, lineage, spelling, place of origin, or much of anything else. If you hear of a black belt in kenpo, they may be great, or completely unskilled. It just doesn't have the quality control that BJJ does.

What the various internet experts seem to agree upon is that Kenpo was brought to America around 1940 by Japanese American James Mitose, as Kenpo Jiu Jutsu, though he later changed the name, which became a trend. In the next generation, it became Kenpo Karate. Ed Parker made it American Kempo. Jeff Speakman has Kenpo 5.0. Now there are a million brands of Kenpo.

USUALLY, Kenpo is characterized by short strikes in rapid succession, with a mixture of linear and circular movements. There may or may not be grappling included. By some accounts, Mitose had ground work that Ed Parker took out.

Anyway, what sparked my interest, is the black gi. Bujin had a strong influence from Kenpo, and we included the tradition of wearing a black gi after dan rank if we choose. Apparently, white is a symbol of purity in Shinto, so karate gis are white (or so I've heard). Mitose wanted to designate Kenpo as a combat art, so he chose a black gi to symbolize death and bruising. An interesting point to add here is that he died while in prison on charges of conspiracy, murder and extortion. Whether he was actually guilty is a point of debate.

If anyone has any corrections or additional info, please add. I make no claims to scholarship.

[Dobbersky]

I prefer a white Gi, but that's just me.

I would like to know where the Black Gi came from too. I know that Ninjitsu clans wear black Gi's so wondering if Kenpo/Kempo is part of the lineage of where Ninjitsu came from as I read that Ninjitsu had a Chinese heritage NOT Japanese as considered prior

[Ueshirokarate]

Found these:

http://www.tracyskarate.com/Stories/Elvis%20black%20gi!.htm

http://www.tracyskarate.com/FAQ%27S/blackgi.htm

[evergrey]

I would prefer a black gi. I would then perhaps not look like a giant meringue, and I wouldn't have to worry about stains as much. Oh well, Kyokushin has white dogis. :/

Our Shihan wears a black gi, even though it isn't traditional Kyokushin... but who is going to tell him he can't? The man can bench press 3 sets of 12 at 600 pounds. He has been practicing martial arts for like, 45 years. He has been teaching for like, I don't know, 35? 38 years?

He gets to wear whatever he wants, lol.

[Dobbersky]

I would prefer a black gi. I would then perhaps not look like a giant meringue, and I wouldn't have to worry about stains as much. Oh well, Kyokushin has white dogis. :/

Our Shihan wears a black gi, even though it isn't traditional Kyokushin... but who is going to tell him he can't? The man can bench press 3 sets of 12 at 600 pounds. He has been practicing martial arts for like, 45 years. He has been teaching for like, I don't know, 35? 38 years?

He gets to wear whatever he wants, lol.

Oyama Sosai would, if he was still alive, OSU!!!

[evergrey]

OSU!

Actually, Sosai never had a problem with it.

http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/Kyokushin/Misc/WhiteandOyama.jpg

That'd be Sosai in the blue suit, and my Shihan in the black dogi, heh. You can see the kanku patch on his arm, a bit. This was in I think 1991 or 1992. My Shihan trained with Sosai from time to time, way back in the day.

OSU

[ps1]

OSU!

Actually, Sosai never had a problem with it.

OSU

This is likely because your sensei has skill and character and all the other things that actually matter.

In my BJJ school, I provide a white gi to all my new students. I don't allow them to wear another color until blue belt. The reason is I want them focused on attaining skill and knowledge over looks and fashion. One of my biggest pet peeves is to see someone wearing a fire orange or banana yellow gi and totally stink in regards to skill.

In the case of your sensei, I presume he spent many a years in a white gi getting his butt kicked by everyone above him. But he continued training when others did not, he persevered and earned the right to chose what he wears.

[Dobbersky]

OSU!

Actually, Sosai never had a problem with it.

OSU

.........

a fire orange or banana yellow gi

..........

I wanna a yellow one, pleeeeeaaaasssseeeee!!!!

[evergrey]

Yep! Shihan, now, not Sensei. He was my Sensei's Sensei back in the late 70s, actually. :}

But yeah, his students wear a white dogi. Once they have their own schools, I think they get to wear whatever they want.

The origin of the dogi itself is pretty hotly contested.

I still want a black one.

[MasterPain]

The origin of the dogi itself is pretty hotly contested.

I still want a black one.

The dogi was a more socially acceptable thing to wear than the traditional loincloth.

I'll take a black one...