Ask a Question
or
Create a Poll
  1. Home /
  2. Questions /
  3. Recreation And Sports
  4. / Martial Arts
  5. / Martial Arts Schools And Styles
  6. / Japanese Martial Arts And Styles
  7. / Kempo (Ryukyu)

by rec-martial-arts on July 15th, 2003

rec-martial-arts

Question

Help answer this question below.

What should I know about Ryukyu Kempo?

  • Like
  • Report
Share:
Other

Answers. 3 helpful answers below.

  • by rec-martial-arts on July 15th, 2003

    rec-martial-arts

    (Contributor: Al Wilson - awilson@drunivac.drew.edu)
    Intro:

    Ryukyu Kempo (which roughly translates into Okinawan kung-fu, or Chinese boxing science) is the original style of martial arts learned and taught by Gichin Funakoshi on the island of Okinawa (1). It stresses the existence of body points within your opponent that can be struck or grappled for more effective fighting.

    Origin: Okinawa Islands (Ryukyu island chain).

    History:
    Practioners of Ryukyu Kempo believe that karate-do is a popular subform of Kempo, established within this century by Gichin Funakoshi. People with original copies of Funakoshi's first edition book _Ryukyu Kempo_ state that he is clearly is grappling and touching an opponent. Later editions and current karate books only show a practioner with a retracted punch, where the original shows actively grappling an enemy. It is felt that Funakoshi was the last of the purists, wanting all to learn the art.

    In subseqent years, the Okinawans, who have a culture and history of their own, became disenchanted with the Japanese, and were less inclined to teach them the "secret techniques" of self defence. When American military men occupied Japan after WWII, they became enamored of the martial-arts. It is theorized that the Japanese and Okinawans were reluctant to teach the secrets of their national art to the occupiers, and so taught a "watered down" version of karate-do usually reserved for children. Contemporary Kempo practioners practice "pressure point fighting" or Kyushu-jitsu and grappling, called Tuite.

    It is an exact art of striking small targets on the body, such as nerve centers, and grappling body points in manners similar to Jujitsu or Aikido(2).

    Modern teachers of this are George Dillman of Reading, PA, Taiku Oyata of Independence, Missouri, Rick Clark of Terre Haute, Indiana, and others.

    Training:

    The practioners of kempo believe that kata do not represent origin or direction of attacks but positional techniques for the defender.
    Concentration is made on physical perfection of kata and the Bunkai, or explanation of the movements. Tournaments of kata and kumite (sparriing) are encouraged as learning experiences, but not overly stressed. Also taught is Kobudo, which is defined as weapons fighting using ordinary hand tools.

    Five principles to be observed in Oyata's school:
    1. Proper distance.
    2. Eye contact.
    3. Minimum pain inflication on your opponent.
    4. Legally safe.
    5. Morally defensible.(3)

    There are a couple of physical differences in Kempo and many other styles. One is a three-quarter punch, rather than a full twist.
    Second is a fist whereby the thumb stops at the first finger, rather than the first two fingers. Third is the sword hand, which has the little finger placed as parallel as possible to the third finger and the thumb straight and on the inside rather than bent.(2)

    References:
    (1) _Karate-Do: My Way of Life_ by Gichin Funakoshi
    (2) _Kyusho Jitsu: The Dillman Method of Pressure Point Fighting_ by George A. Dillman with Chris Thomas.
    (3) _Ryukyu Kempo: History and Basics_ by J. D. Logue (Oyata student).

    • Like
    • Report

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by Rinky Dinky Do on November 19th, 2008

    Rinky Dinky Do

    That it's difficult to pronounce

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by shinin1 on November 19th, 2008

    shinin1

    Kenpo Ryukyu came from the Okinawan martial art called Todi kenpo, Karate is a term that came from Gichin Funakoshi while he lived in Japan. Ryukyu kenpo is Okinawan and there are many styles taught today, Some of the styles were adopted in Japan but are slightly different than the origonal Okinawan systems. The art of Goju Ryu is one example, The origonal art was Okinawa te (Okinawan hand) which was developed in two regions of oOkinawa, Naha which produced Nahate and Shuri which produced Shurite, It is from these two systems that all modern karate has emerged.

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

Want to attach an image to your answer? Click here.

Did this answer your question? If not, then ask a new question or create a poll.

More Questions. Additional questions in this category.

You're reading What should I know about Ryukyu Kempo?

Follow us on Facebook!

Related Ads

Related Questions

Professionally Researched

ANSWERBAG BUZZ

How do you pronounce ryukyu
Ryukyu pronounce
Is ryukyu kempo effective
Ryukyu kempo pronunciation
Rinky ryu kempo

Answerbag

a Demand Media company