Kajukenbo is the first truly American karate system, having been founded in what was then the United States territory of Hawaii. In 1947, five Hawaii martial arts masters calling themselves the "Black Belt Society" started on a project to develop a comprehensive self-defense system. These were: Peter Choo, the Hawaiian welterweight boxing champion and a Tang Soo Do (Korean style) black belt; Frank Ordonez, a Sekeino Jujitsu (Japanese style) black belt; Joe Holck, a Kodokan (Japanese style) judo black belt; Clarence Chang, a Sil-um Pai Shaolin Kung Fu (Chinese style) instructor; and Adriano D. Emperado, a black belt in Chinese Kenpo (Karaho Kempo) and Escrima (Kali, Arnis) master. Emperado received extensive training (5th degree black belt) from William K. S. Chow and James Mitose, the founders of Kenpo.
They trained together several hours daily for two years, taking advantage of each others' strengths and weaknesses to develop their new art. When Holck sparred Choo, the former was readily able to see his weaknesses in striking techniques, while Choo realized his vulnerability on the ground. Emperado was able to demonstrate how a Kenpo stylist could work inside an opponent's kick with rapid hand techniques. Chang added the circular, flowing techniques of kung fu, and showed the others how to evade and strike. Ordonez demonstrated how to go with the attacker's force and then redirect with painful locks and throws.
The five instructors agreed to make Kenpo the base on which the new style would be built, hence the reason that Emperado is generally referred to as the founder. The style name of "kajukenbo" was suggested by Holck, taking the ka from karate, ju for judo and jujustu, ken for kenpo, and bo to represent Chinese boxing (kung fu). The philosophical side of kajukenbo is reflected by: ka - long life; ju - happiness; ken - fist; bo - style; which reads "Through this fist style, one will gain long life and happiness." Emperado said that the goal of Kajukenbo training is the perfection of mind, body, and spirit. The principles upon which Kajukenbo is based include: Respect for the human entity; flexibility; and maximum physical and mental effort.
Kajukenbo was developed purely with street self-defense in mind. However, forms (kata) and step-sparring (movements with a partner) were included as a learning tool and a way to maintain the system. These kata are based on the Japanese Pinan forms, but may vary according to the background of the individual. In other words, Kajukenbo did not create new forms, but kept those from the contributing styles. Thus Emperado would still do Kenpo forms, Choo would do Korean forms, etc. Emperado renamed his forms "palama sets" after Oahu's notorious Palama district, where Kajukenbo originated. Kajukenbo is an eclectic (composed of elements drawn from various sources) style, thus techniques will vary with the background of the individual practitioner. Since Kajukenbo selects what appears to be the best from various styles, students will practice what is best for their own physical and mental state. Unlike traditional styles which are extremely dogmatic, Kajukenbo lets the individual determine what is best. Students must be careful not to make this judgment until they can adequately determine their needs and capabilities. Normally the search for individuality begins after the first black belt. The weakness of the eclectic approach is a tendency toward fragmentation. Thus, in recent years there has been some effort to standardize Kajukenbo techniques. The student is taught a strong set of basic techniques from which to develop a personal set of techniques after much practice.
Kajukenbo self defense techniques are characterized by a rapid combination of hand and foot strikes, judo-type throws, joint locks and holds. The combinations are arranged so that each technique sets up the next by following the reaction of the opponent's body. While the principle tenet of kara te (empty hand) is adhered to, Kajukenbo teaches a variety of weapons forms. Probably the most unique is Kali, a Philippine art using stick, knives, swords, and other instruments. An extensive set of techniques is also taught as defense against weapon attacks, such as guns, knives, and bats. In turn, Kajukenbo also shows the influence of Bruce Lee's jun fan (jeet kun do), Malaysian Penjak Silat, and a number of other exoteric martial art styles. The melding of these arts lends an incredible richness and flexibility to Kajukenbo, making it an enjoyable but effective means of self defense and way of life. Kajukenbo lends itself to the needs of various segments of society, be they men or women, children, the differently abled, or the weak.
Author Master Andrew Torok
Karate Institute
235 East Lincoln
DeKalb, IL 60115
(815)758-4888
Please E-mail Sensei Torok at atorok@niu.edu
Please E-mail Chet at chesher@qwest.net
This page was last updated on November 7, 2000