About American Kenpo Karate

 
Arnott American Kenpo Karate Pasadena Ed Parker Elvis image

American Kenpo owes a lot to many traditions and many teachers. As a child growing up in Hawaii, Mr. Parker began studying martial arts under William Chow, who developed his kenpo style from his teacher, James Mitose. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, James Mitose had reworked his family's more traditional martial art to develop a style whose basics could be quickly made effective as street fighting, anticipating as many did an immanent Japanese invasion. It was that street-fighting form of American kenpo out of the Japanese out of the Chinese that eventually became American Kenpo Karate.

Mr. Parker opened his Pasadena studio over on Walnut in 1956 (he'd begun teaching while still a student at Brigham Young University, which might account for some of the more biblical resonances of some of the techniques- Twist of Fate, Gift of Destiny, like that). It was early days for all forms of Asian martial arts in the U.S., and many of Ed Parker's first students went on to found their own studios and further change the style to suit their understandings.

Mr. Parker taught a lot of folks in the film industry, and ended up doing small parts in quite a few movies. Which can be mighty fun to watch.

If you can find it, watch the film called CHANCE. Mr. Parker is the one pushing the chair. At the end of the fight you see him breaking the neck of a fellow in a green shirt and tan jacket, Larry Tatum. Rough times back in '79, as well.

There's not much footage of Mr. Parker when young and in most of later movie work he's more in the Godzilla line of martial arts. But there is some great, clear teaching stuff - search for where he runs some techniques with Huk Planas

As he goes through the Blues you can see differences- moves we have added and ways we've changed techniques. There's not a perfect Begging Hands. There's the one that keeps you safe.

Mr. Parker had an enormous influence on martial arts. There are schools around the world teaching their version of his American Kenpo Karate. Each generation, each studio, each teacher has changed things a bit. Sometimes it may even feel like it's been changed from last week. Maybe so. Finally, it only matters if it works.

 

 
 

Map & Directions

Arnott American Kenpo Karate Pasadena map to dojo

Studio Services Overview

Our focus is on creating a safe learning environment while making sure those we practice with are always safe. A true martial artist has not only power and strength, but absolute control. With power comes responsibility.

Our studio is available for uses outside general daily classes as follows:

Contact Us

Please feel free to contact us for more information, to provide feedback or to schedule a free introductory lesson.

Address: 2012 Colorado Blvd.
City: Eagle Rock, CA
Telephone:323 999 7369
E-mail: karate at arnottkenpo.com