What is the difference between Japanese Karate and Japanese Kempo?

[bigbill]

Excuse me, but there is no difference between kenpo and kempo except the English spelling, same thing as Ju-jitsu and Jiu-jitsu -different English spellings for the exact same thing. But there is a difference between Japanese Karate (I know it was invented in Okinawa, but there are Japanese styles) and the Kempo that was brought to Japan from China. How do they differ?

 

[davide]

There isn't one. Two alternate names from the arts that originated in Okinawa and / or Japan.
Funakoshi Sensei, the founder of Shotokan Karate also referred to his art as RyuKyu Kenpo. Ryu Kyu being the name of the kingdom that had its seat of power in Shurie Okinawa before being conquered by Japan.

 

[pugpaws2]

David E gave a short but good answer. ToeJoe gave a correct answer, but one that does not paint the big picture. Kenpo and Kempo are much misunderstood arts. Some Kenpo/Kempo came has origins in Okinawa, Some can be traced back to China. Hawaiian kenpo is only one leaf in the book so to speak. There are many Kempo/Kenpo styles that have never become well known. The style I practice came from 1300 China, It moved to Korea around 1600, and to Japan in the 1950's. It was brought to the U.S.A. in the 1970's by Professor Albert C. Church (deceased). The style has had many different names over the centuries. most have never been widely heard of, but still effective.


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