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拳法 is a form of martial arts that can be translated in several ways.
Some will call it “fist principles,” “the way of the fist,” or even “law of the fist.” The first character literally means fist. The second can mean law, method, way, principle, or Buddhist teaching.
Kempo is really a potluck of martial arts. Often a combination of Chinese martial arts such as Shaolin Kung Fu with Japanese martial arts such as Karate, Jujutsu (Jujitsu), Aikido, and others. You may see the term “Kempo Karate,” which basically means Karate with other disciplines added. In this way, Kempo becomes an adjective rather than a title or school of martial arts.
These facts will long be argued by various masters and students of Kempo. Even the argument as to whether it should be spelled “kenpo” or “Kempo” ensues at dojos around the world (the correct Romaji should actually be “kenpou” if you precisely follow the rules).
The benefit of Kempo is that the techniques are easier to learn and master than pure Kung Fu (wu shu). Students are often taught basic Karate moves, kicks, and punches before augmenting the basic skills with complex Kung Fu techniques. This allows students of Kempo to achieve a level where they can defend themselves or fight in a relatively short amount of time (a few years rather than a decade or more).
Because the definition of this word is so fluid, I should make some notes here:
1. Purists in Okinawa will claim that “Okinawa Kenpo” or “Ryukyu Hon Kenpo” is the original and true version of this martial art from the old kingdom. It is actually little or no connection between Okinawa Kenpo and the way the word is used elsewhere.
2. In Chinese, where these characters are pronounced “quan fa” (sometimes Romanized as “chuan fa” because the Chinese-pinyin “q” actually sounds like an English “ch” sound), these characters do not hold the connotation of being a mixed martial art. It is simply defined as “the law of the fist.”
3. My Japanese dictionary oddly defines Kenpo as the “Chinese art of self-defense.” I personally don't feel this is the most common way that people perceive the word but just something you should know.
Below are some entries from our dictionary that may match your self defence search...
Characters If shown, 2nd row is Simp. Chinese |
Pronunciation Romanization |
Simple Dictionary Definition |
自衛 自卫 see styles |
zì wèi zi4 wei4 tzu wei jiei / jie じえい |
More info & calligraphy: Self-Defense(n,vs,vt,vi,adj-no) self-defense; self-defence |
護身術 see styles |
goshinjutsu ごしんじゅつ |
More info & calligraphy: Goshin Jutsu |
保甲 see styles |
bǎo jiǎ bao3 jia3 pao chia |
historical communal administrative and self-defence system created during the Song Dynasty and revived during the Republican Era, in which households are grouped in jia 甲[jia3] and jia are grouped in bao 保[bao3] |
守刀 see styles |
mamorigatana まもりがたな |
(irregular okurigana usage) sword for self-defense; sword for self-defence |
海将 see styles |
kaishou / kaisho かいしょう |
Vice-Admiral (Maritime Self-Defence Force of Japan) (defense) |
空佐 see styles |
kuusa / kusa くうさ |
(Self Defense Force's Air Force) colonel (defence); lieutenant; major |
空将 see styles |
kuushou / kusho くうしょう |
(Self Defense Force's Air Force) general (defence); lieutenant; major |
空尉 see styles |
kuui / kui くうい |
(Self Defense Force's Air Force) captain (defence); lieutenant |
空曹 see styles |
kuusou / kuso くうそう |
noncommissioned officer of the Japanese Air Self Defense Forces (Defence) |
護身 护身 see styles |
hù shēn hu4 shen1 hu shen goshin ごしん |
self-protection; self-defence Protection of the body, for which the charm 護符 is used, and also other methods. |
サンボ see styles |
sanbo サンボ |
(abbreviation) self-defence (defense) (type of wrestling) (rus: sambo) |
六尺棒 see styles |
rokushakubou / rokushakubo ろくしゃくぼう |
(1) (See 尺・1) 6-shaku-long wooden pole (traditionally used for self-defence, capturing lawbreakers, etc.); (2) (See 天秤棒) carrying pole; shoulder pole |
守り刀 see styles |
mamorigatana まもりがたな |
sword for self-defense; sword for self-defence |
用心棒 see styles |
youjinbou / yojinbo ようじんぼう |
(1) bodyguard; bouncer; (security) guard; (2) bar (on a door); bolt; (3) (orig. meaning) stick or pole used for self-defence |
自衛団 see styles |
jieidan / jiedan じえいだん |
(1) self defense group; self defence group; (2) self-protection |
自衛権 see styles |
jieiken / jieken じえいけん |
right of self defense; right of self defence |
自衛隊 自卫队 see styles |
zì wèi duì zi4 wei4 dui4 tzu wei tui jieitai / jietai じえいたい |
self-defense force; the Japanese armed forces (1) Japan Self-Defense Forces; JSDF; (2) self-defence force; self-defense force |
体験入隊 see styles |
taikennyuutai / taikennyutai たいけんにゅうたい |
boot camp for new recruits (conducted by Japan's Self-Defence Force) |
正当防衛 see styles |
seitoubouei / setoboe せいとうぼうえい |
(yoji) {law} legitimate self-defence; legitimate self-defense |
自主防衛 see styles |
jishubouei / jishuboe じしゅぼうえい |
autonomous (national) defence; self-reliant defence |
自衛手段 see styles |
jieishudan / jieshudan じえいしゅだん |
(noun/participle) measures to defend oneself (for self-defense) (defence) |
護身の術 see styles |
goshinnojutsu ごしんのじゅつ |
art of self-defense; art of self-defence |
過剰防衛 see styles |
kajoubouei / kajoboe かじょうぼうえい |
(yoji) excessive or unjustifiable self-defense (defence) |
海上自衛隊 see styles |
kaijoujieitai / kaijojietai かいじょうじえいたい |
Maritime Self Defense Forces (Defence) |
自衛消防隊 see styles |
jieishouboutai / jieshobotai じえいしょうぼうたい |
self-defence fire brigade; fire brigade associated with building, company, etc. |
Variations: |
mamorigatana まもりがたな |
sword for self-defense; sword for self-defence |
The following table may be helpful for those studying Chinese or Japanese...
Title | Characters | Romaji (Romanized Japanese) | Various forms of Romanized Chinese | |
Kenpo Kempo Quan Fa Chuan Fa | 拳法 | kenpou / kenpo | quán fǎ / quan2 fa3 / quan fa / quanfa | ch`üan fa / chüanfa / chüan fa |
Self-Defense | 自衛 自卫 | ji ei / jiei | zì wèi / zi4 wei4 / zi wei / ziwei | tzu wei / tzuwei |
In some entries above you will see that characters have different versions above and below a line. In these cases, the characters above the line are Traditional Chinese, while the ones below are Simplified Chinese. |
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