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ABOUT KAJUKENBO
The Martial art of Kajukenbo is a blend of Karate,
Judo & Jujitsu, Kempo, and Boxing. From theses arts it gets
its name ka for karate (tang soo do) ju for judo & jujitsu,
ken for kenpo and bo for chu'an fa gung fu (Chinese) boxing.
Kajukenbo came together in the Palomas settlements of Hawaii during the
years between 1949 and 1952. There were five different martial arts practitioners
from different styles who came together to developed Kajukenbo. They developed
one style that would complement each of there individual styles and it had to
allow for effective fighting at all ranges and speeds. The man credited with
the founding of Kajukenbo is Siju Adriano D. Emperado who practiced kempo and
escrima. It was decided that kempo would be the center around which Kajukenbo
was built. To test the effectiveness of their techniques the five founders would
provoke fights in and around Hawaii's slum settlement of Palomas. If the techniques
they used were consistent in helping them iver come their opponents in street-fighting
then that technique was kept as part of the system. From these fights came Kajukenbo's
Quins (forms or kata), Natural laws (self-defense), Tricks (close-quarters fighting),
and grab arts (escapes).
Kajukenbo uses all ranges of fighting. There are kicking techniques, punching
techniques, trapping techniques and grappling techniques. Many schools of karate
and Korean martial arts concentrate on kata, but Kajukenbo concentrates on self-defense
movements because protecting one's self in a street-fighting situation is primary.
As the martial artist reaches higher levels in Kajukenbo meditation and chi training
begin.
Kajukenbo stresses the following-up of techniques
based on the opponent's reactions. The idea is to end the fight
with the fewest techniques possible. It is important to know
how an opponent will respond to attacks, and how best to take advantage
of his reactions.
Kajukenbo training is very physically intense. It is important to be in good
physical condition, thus warm-ups, callisthenic's, bag work, sparring and grappling
are important. Kata is performed to fine-tune a person's movements. Partnering
is important because it teaches a student how to manipulate an opponent and
how to follow up on the opponent's reactions.
The word Kajukenbo is derived from the letter
of the styles that contributed to the creation of the art. Together
they make up the Kajukenbo motto: Through this fist art one gains
long life and happiness.
KA (long life) - comes from the word Karate, an art form that places the emphasis
on hard and powerful techniques. The karate influence was from Tang Soo Do
brought by P.Y.Y. Choo.
JU (happiness) - comes from Judo and Jujitsu, art forms that emphasize throwing,
locks and sweeps. The judo and jujitsu influence was from Kodenkan Danzan Ryu
brought by Joe Holck and Se Keino Ryu brought by Frank Ordonez.
KEN (fist) - comes from Kenpo, a form of karate that not only stresses the
hard and powerful movements, but emphasizes multiple and fluid hand techniques.
The kenpo influence was from Kosho Shorei Kenpo brought by Adriano Emperado.
BO (style) - comes from Chinese and American boxing. Chinese boxing means Kung
Fu, which puts emphasis on flexibility and agility, parrying and evasive movements
that flow together. The Chinese boxing influence was from Northern and Southern
Sil-lum styles brought by Clarence Chang.
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