A Brief History of American Kenpo Karate
Senior Grandmaster Edmund K. Parker, Sr., is considered the father of American Kenpo Karate.
William K. S. Chow first met and taught the well-known and undisputed "Father" of today's American Kenpo Karate,
Senior Grandmaster Edmund Kealoha Parker, Sr., in the Hawaiian Islands.
Mr. Parker realized the need for new innovations to combat modern day methods of fighting. He developed new
concepts, theories, and principles that are practical in today's environment. Every action from your opponent creates a opportunity
for you where you can use an unending flow of motion. Every block is a strike and every strike is a block.
American Kenpo is tailored to fit the individual. It is very self-defense oriented and allows flexibility for
you to draw from all of your body's natural weapons in a overwhelming flow of circular and linear motions. This art can be
practiced by anyone regardless of height, weight, age, or sex, against single or multiple attackers.
In 1954, Mr. Parker moved from Honolulu to Provo, Utah, and opened the first commercial karate studio in the
United States. Mr. Parker graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology and Psychology.
During his days at BYU, he opened a class on campus and began teaching. After some exposure at a basketball game, he was recruited
to teach local police officers various techniques. He taught them and they came back to him with feedback, having used those
techniques in real combat.
It was there that he began to analyze how techniques are put together and the balance between circular and linear
motions.
A circular motion becomes a linear move and a linear move becomes a circular motion. Mr. Parker then moved to
California and opened his second school. Within two years, he was teaching well-known Hollywood and entertainment personalities
and had actors using martial arts in movies. From his schools came a variety of well-known individuals and from his tournaments,
many got much-needed exposure.
For example, Bruce Lee was discovered at Mr. Parker's first International Karate Championship (IKC) tournament.
Mr. Parker was influential in helping Bruce Lee get the role of Kato in the TV series The Green Hornet. Elvis Presley
was a student of Mr. Parker's and would often use karate kicks and moves while on stage. Mr. Parker was a close friend and
confidant of Elvis, as well as his personal bodyguard. A good movie that will show the power and flow of motion of Parker
Kenpo is "The Perfect Weapon" featuring Mr. Parker's student, Jeff Speakman. Mr. Parker designed and choreographed the fight
scenes. Other actors that were Mr. Parker's students in Hollywood include Steve McQueen, William Shatner, Robert Conrad, Warren
Beatty, Robert Culp, George Hamilton, Blake Edwards, Joey Bishop, Dick Martin, Elke Sommers, and the World War II hero Audie
Murphy.
Grandmaster Parker passed away on December 15, 1990 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Mr. Parker was a genius and pioneer
that shared his vision with all who listened. He will be missed, but never forgotten.
In conjunction with Master Neil Hazell 5th Dan Black belt in American Kenpo Karate and with the blessing of
Master Bob Walsh 6th Dan Black Belt and Chairman of the American Kenpo Karate Connection UK we have developed a fast track
system to effective self defence and fitness.
We have discarded the sets and patterns and focused purely on effective streamlined streetwise techniques that
are constantly revised and developed to incorporate ideas from any other martial arts system that have something to offer
us.
We do not beleive an one system has all the answers and that it is the responsibility of the individual practitioner
and more importantly the Teacher to step outside of their comfort zone and see whats out there.
Classical American Kenpo is still available to those that show an interest .
Frank Ellul
2nd Dan
