history of Ed Parker's Kenpo Karate

The exact history of Kenpo Karate in general has been lost with time. The history that remains exists in written text and through the passing down of knowledge from instructors to their students. This information is not presented to state the exact history, but to give a basic accepted history of Kenpo Karate and how, what we deem, the Ed Parker’s System bloomed from the seeds of Kenpo Karate.

Kenpo Karate is thought to have originated in what is now modern-day China or possibly India. In the late 1300's, Chinese and Okinawan relations intensified and the opportunity for China to place insurmountable influence became apparent. This relation with the Chinese contributed to a greater need of control and the Okinawan people were driven to the point that they were restricted from having any types of weapons. This tight grip placed on the Okinawan people resulted in several individuals migrating to the mainland of China and pursuing the knowledge of top Chinese Kenpo masters. These individuals then returned to the island and thus began the introduction of Chinese Kenpo to Okinawa. It was at that point in which the Okinawan government placed tighter and tighter restrictions on their people, which only in turn gave Martial Artists more reason to practice in secret and refine their knowledge and skill in defense of trying to overthrow their opposition.

As time progressed over hundreds of years, the cloak placed on Okinawan Martial Arts was lifted and eventually introduced to Japan. While this was occurring, Martial Arts were also being spread throughout the world in other ways. The United States saw the first reminisce of the Martial Arts in Hawaii through the immigration of Chinese laborers. These laborers, though very restrictive, could be found practicing their Martial Arts traditions. However, it was not until the start of World War II that Kenpo Karate was formally introduced into Hawaii by James Masayoshi Mitose (December 30th, 1915- March 26th, 1981).

James Mitose began his training in Japan from family relatives before the start of World War II. The system in which he learned was developed by the Koshogi monks of Japan, who in turn combined jujitsu and chuan fa Shaolin kung-fu to form Shorei Ryu Kenpo. Through their ancestral lineage Tamo, also known as Daruma Daishi, is credited as being the founder of their system. Tamo is thought to have resided in the Shaolin Monastery and play an important role in the development of the martial arts at Shaolin. It is from there that Mitose's ancestors would refer to the Japanese term Shorei Ryu as the system of Kenpo Tamo taught. However, Shorei Ryu Kenpo, like many martial arts, went through many changes that were more tailored to the Japanese people and over time was renamed Kosho Shorei Ryu Kenpo.

With Mitose holding his formal years of training close in hand, he returned to Hawaii and began teaching what he called Kenpo Jujitsu. It is thought that Mitose named his teachings this because many were unaware of what Kenpo meant, but they were very familiar with the term Jujitsu. This then would inform residents that it was a form of the Martial Arts. It was at this point, after the commencement of World War II, that Mitose opened the Official Self-Defense Club. The idea behind this club was to teach fellow residents no matter what race, creed, or religion they were.

Through his Self-Defense Club, Mitose began teaching his ideas that Kenpo was purely self-defense and stated that Kenpo was fundamentally different than fighting systems that focused on the aspect of sport. It is through this ideal that the term Kenpo derives its meaning; “Ken” means fist and “po” means law, thus fist law. Over time, Mitose's teachings gained popularity in Hawaii and he soon began teaching a student by the name of William K.S. Chow.

William Kwai Sun Chow received his formal training in the Martial Arts from both his father and from James Mitose. Chow, being born in Hawaii of Chinese descent, took both Chinese concepts and principles and interlaced them with the Japanese concepts and principals that he was taught by Mitose. The Chinese Martial Arts are known for their circular motion and in contrast to what most Japanese Martial Arts teach which tends to be a linear approach. So in turn, Chow knowing these differences combined these two schools of thought. Chow understood that these modifications were needed if Kenpo was to live on and reach its full potential in America. The idea of improvement did not stop there for Chow. He began teaching and continuously refining his ideas and these ideas soon reached the hands of Edmund Kealoha Parker.

Edmund Kealoha Parker was born on March 19th, 1931 in Honolulu, Hawaii. It was here in Honolulu at an early age that Parker experienced first-hand what fighting was all about. He recalled in his later years that, "in this very environment I learned to be an adult at a very early age and that contributed later, to my innovative creations of Kenpo." Not only did Ed Parker learn how to fight from the street, but as a teen he also acquired a Black Belt in Judo and became an amateur boxing champion. It was not until the age of sixteen that Parker was introduced to the ideas of Kenpo Karate. Many would think he would have encountered such a thing on the street, however he learned of it at a church meeting.

During a usual meeting at his Mormon chapel, Parker overheard a fellow member, by the name of Frank Chow describe how he defeated a local bully. Parker was intrigued knowing that this bully was a pretty tough guy and insisted of learning more about Frank's victory. Frank then proceeded to show the onlookers how he accomplished such a feat and it was at this point that Parker saw Kenpo Karate for the first time.

Parker immediately began studying under Frank Chow. He was an avid learner, intrigued by Kenpo's explosive action and sophistication. He was able to compare concepts that he had learned in Judo with the concepts from Kenpo. However overtime, Parker reached the point that Frank Chow could no longer teach him. Frank explained to Parker that he was not qualified enough and it was at this time that Edmund Parker was directed to Frank's brother, William K.S. Chow.

William K.S. Chow was known all throughout Hawaii for his innovations to Kenpo Karate. He had attracted many talented individuals and his classes were highly selective. One could only enter based on a recommendation from an inside member of the class. Fortunately, Parker had a recommendation and it only took moments after first seeing Chow that Parker commenced his training. Parker said in later years that, "From the moment I witnessed William Chow move and appraised the ability of his students, a strong and spiritual feeling penetrated the very depth of my soul communicating to me that Kenpo would become my life's work." And indeed did it ever.

Parker continued training as much as life would allow. After graduating from military school, Parker enrolled and was accepted as a student at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. Parker knew that education was very important and though he would be leaving his beloved island, he never lost sight of what laid ahead.

After completing two years at Brigham Young University, Parker was drafted into the United States Coast Guard. Luckily for him, he was able to be stationed in Hawaii and this provided him with the opportunity he needed to reach a higher plateau in Kenpo.

He reached this plateau on June 5th, 1953 when he was awarded with his Black Belt in Kenpo Karate from Professor William K.S. Chow.

With only a short time remaining before Parker would once again return to the States, he approached Chow with the idea of opening commercial Kenpo schools on the mainland. Chow approved of the plan, but insisted that Edmund must first finish his studies. With that clear, Parker returned to Brigham Young University and completed his studies receiving a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology and Psychology.

Finally with a degree in hand, Parker set out to teach Kenpo commercially. His first opportunity was at a local gym in Provo, Utah managed by Roy Woodward. This lasted for a period of time till Roy was then offered a managing position at a fitness facility in Pasadena, California. With the acceptance of the position, Roy then asked Parker if he wanted to move to Southern California and teach at the new facility. Parker accepted and made the move. Unfortunately, employment at the facility lasted a short period of time and Parker was forced to go it alone.

So in September of 1956, Edmund K. Parker opened his first Kenpo Karate school in Pasadena, California. With the opening of his school, Ed Parker experienced great success. He began teaching all throughout California, gaining a large following in the Hollywood sector. Many well-known celebrities took great interest to Ed Parker's teachings. Some of the most notable are Elvis Presley, Nick Adams, Robert Wagner, Joe Hyams, and Warren Beatty. Ed Parker also began spreading his art beyond the United States and today his system can be found all throughout the world.

With the increasing growth of his art internationally, it is without question that Ed Parker relied on others to assist in the development of his system. One of the most influential students under Ed Parker was Richard Planas.

Richard “Huk” Planas began his training in Fresno, California in the late sixties. In 1969 he moved to Pasadena, California to work for Ed Parker as a Brown Belt. In a few short years, he became the Manager of Ed Parker's Pasadena school and subsequently received his Black Belt directly from Parker. In 1985, Huk Planas received his Seventh Degree Black Belt; the highest, non-honorary rank awarded by Ed Parker.

Five years after awarding Huk Planas the rank of Seventh Degree, Ed Parker passed away on December 15th 1990 and left a legacy which is continued to be carried on by many of his original students, including Huk Planas.

It is now through the prescribed methods of Grandmaster Richard “Huk” Planas and his Parker/ Planas Lineage that United Parker’s Kenpo Karate continues to perpetuate the Ed Parker’s Kenpo Karate System for future generations of students.