Kempo is Like a Huge Family

The martial art of Kempo is like a family, constantly growing and evolving from generation to generation.

At the beginning of every family lineage, the forefathers start a family, with the offspring being almost genetically identical to the parents. As the family genealogy grows, different genetics are introduced from outside the family lineage, causing each generation to be different from the previous generation, even though the name of the family stays the same.

This is how you may have a second or third cousin with your same last name, but no physical resemblance or family traits in common.

Like every family, the forefathers have those old “family yarns”, experiences and knowledge that are passed on from generation to generation, with each generation adding their own stories and experiences.

The multiple styles of Kempo in existence today prove that Kempo is like an extended family. While they share the same forefathers, they are distinctively different, with different masters, stories, experiences and knowledge.

Kempo is One of the Original “Mixed” Martial Arts

Kempo is a unique system; it is one of the original “Mixed Martial Arts”.

When we say “mixed martial arts”, we are not referring to the widely popular and exciting sport of mixed martial arts, or MMA as it is known.  Mixed martial arts is a sport, based on techniques taken from other sports, like boxing and wrestling, combined with different parts of other martial arts styles.  There are weight classes, rules, safety equipment and other things that make it different from the martial arts.

When we say “mixed martial arts”, we are speaking of the blending of martial arts principles and techniques from multiple martial arts styles as it relates to a practical, tactical and classical self defense system.  The three major influences of Kenpo are karate, kung fu and jujitsu (also spelled jiu-jitsu, or jiujitsu.)

The Karate influence is present in the linear, power oriented techniques; wider, stronger stances and traditional Japanese katas (forms) and training techniques.

The Kung Fu influence is evident in the circular, blending techniques. Also present are the five animal styles and their unique physical movement characteristics and principles, which allow for adaptation of different body styles in training.

Jiujitsu is reflected in the trapping or hand immobilization, joint manipulations and variety of throws and takedowns intertwined throughout our defensive techniques, allowing for smaller opponents to unbalance, control and take down larger opponents.

The “Legendary” Roots of Kempo

The most popular legend regarding Kempo is that it can trace its lineage back to the Shaolin Temple of China. The Shaolin Temple was founded around 527 A.D. and legend has it that a warrior monk from India crossed the mountains of Tibet into China and arrived at the Shaolin Temple.

Here, this monk – named Bodhidharma – is said to have found the monks in such terrible physical condition that he began training them in his warrior ways to improve their physical conditioning and ability to protect themselves.

It is said that from generation to generation, that knowledge has been passed on by the Shaolin Monks. Some say that as monks left the Temple and traveled throughout Asia, into Japan and Okinawa, that the teachings were changed and modified by people as they were passed down, producing the multiple styles of martial arts throughout the world today.

It is simply impossible to verify for sure if there is truth to these stories. Because we can’t confirm or deny these legends, Z-Ultimate is not comfortable passing them on as fact.

Modern Day Kempo Can Trace Its Roots to
One Man – James Mitose

What we do know as fact is that Kempo can trace its family lineage back to Hawaii in 1942 – to one man – James Mitose.

Mitose opened the Official Self Defense Club in 1942. Over time, he referred to his style of martial art by several names, including Shorinji Kempo, Kempo Jujitsu and Kosho Shorei-ryu Kenpo.

While there are legends that Mitose was trained in his family’s style of martial arts while growing up in Japan, what is evident from his book, “What is Self Defense” is that his martial arts style was heavily influenced by Okinawan martial arts.

Mitose would go on to train a man who would go on to be one of the most influential masters in the history of modern Kempo.

Professor William K.S. “Thunderbolt” Chow

This student was William K.S. “Thunderbolt” Chow. Chow was half-Chinese and some Kempo legends state that he was taught his family’s Chinese martial arts style and that was how Kempo gained its Shaolin and Chinese influences. While none of this can be proven true, what is true is that Chow would eventually leave Mitose and go on his own, forming his own Kempo style that he referred to as Kara-ho Kempo.

Chow would be responsible for training some of the most influential Black Belts in Kempo history and, as Chow had left Mitose to “branch out and grow” his style of Kempo on his own, so did students of Professor Chow. As these students “left the family”, they took what they learned, added or modified the style as they saw fit, and passed it on. As these martial artists evolved and expanded the family, Kempo made its way from Hawaii to California to New England.

Professor Nick Cerio

It was in one of these families of Kempo that a man named Nick Cerio began his training. Cerio had a previous background in boxing, judo and tae kwon do before starting his training in Kempo in 1961.

By the late 1960’s, Cerio had earned his Black Belt in New England and was able to return to one of the forefathers of Kempo by traveling to Hawaii and training directly with Professor William Chow, the man who had help start the spreading of Kempo.

Professor Cerio went on to become a legend and one of the most influential masters of Kempo in the martial arts. He trained in or earned high ranks in multiple styles of martial arts: Karazenpo Go Shinjutsu, American Kenpo, Hakkoryu Jujistu, Okinawan Karate, Sil Lum Kung Fu, Shotokan, Kyokushinkai and Judo.

There is a truth in the martial arts that states, “The style of a martial art is heavily influenced by the Master who creates it or passes it on.” While studying Kempo and other styles, Professor Cerio followed a philosophy that is best described as, “Take what is useful, make it your own and discard the rest.”

Like many of the martial artists who descended from the forefathers of Kempo, Professor Cerio took what he had learned from the many martial arts masters and combined it into his own system of Kenpo, calling it Nick Cerio’s Kenpo, or Cerio Kenpo.

Professor Cerio, through his innovation and life-long dedication to the martial arts, helped to spread Kenpo throughout New England, indirectly launching the martial arts careers of thousands and thousands of martial artists, through his own schools or family offshoots of his Kempo style.

To understand and appreciate how Z-Ultimate has decided to honor our family lineage of Kempo, it is important to understand the history of two men.

Shihan Joseph Nesta

In 1971, these two men – Joseph Nesta and Paul Taylor – began their training in one of the offshoots of Kempo that had come to New England via California and Hawaii.

In 1988, Nesta, then a 5th degree Black Belt, decided that he wanted to “return to the roots” of Kempo and sought out Professor Cerio directly. When they met, the Professor asked Nesta what it was he wanted; Nesta replied, “I want to know everything you know.” Cerio reportedly smiled and replied, “I like your attitude.”

This started a ten year journey with Professor Cerio that culminated with Professor Cerio promoting Shihan Nesta to the highest rank ever in Cerio’s Kenpo and hand-picking Shihan Nesta as the man to take over Professor Cerio’s association.

Sadly, Professor Cerio passed away in 1998.

Shihan Paul Taylor

Shihan Paul Taylor (r)

By 1986, Paul Taylor was a high-ranking Black Belt and moved from New England to California, beginning a journey that would touch literally thousands of future Kempo martial artists.

He was a key figure in building one of the largest martial arts organizations in the United States, with locations spanning from coast to coast.

He was also instrumental in enrolling, teaching and producing thousands of martial artists and hundreds of Black Belts – many of whom are still teaching and spreading Kempo around the country to this day – by creating the largest Martial Arts Instructors College ever.

Taylor also created, organized and managed the largest one-day martial arts tournament on the West Coast, which has been in existence for almost twenty years and still goes on to this day.

Taylor was also responsible for the organization and successes of two record breaking events involving the Shaolin Temple of China’s Shaolin Monk Demonstration Team. In both instances, the Shaolin Temple reported the largest crowds they had ever performed for in North America.

In perhaps one of his proudest accomplishments, Taylor was acknowledged as a “True Kempo Master” personally by Professor Nick Cerio in a ceremony in Southern California. Taylor went on to coordinate and administer Professor Nick Cerio’s International Martial Arts Association during its most successful period of membership.

Taylor was promoted to his 8th degree Black Belt in 2001 at the legendary Shaolin Temple of China.

In 2010, Shihan Taylor was promoted to 9th Degree Black Belt with Shihan Joseph Nesta as a witness.

In 2012, Shihan Taylor was promoted to rank of 10th Degree Black Belt and given the title “Grandmaster” by 10th Degree Black Belt and Grandmaster Shihan Joseph Nesta.

Z-Ultimate “Honors Our Kenpo Lineage”

By 2010, Shihan Paul Taylor, now a 9th Degree Black Belt, is the Senior Master for Z-Ultimate Self Defense Studios. To honor and strengthen his connection to Professor Cerio in the Kempo family lineage, Shihan Taylor thought it was important to connect with the person who was the most knowledgeable and closest to Professor Cerio prior to his death.

To accomplish this, he reached out to 10th Degree Black Belt Shihan Joseph Nesta, who agreed to become a martial arts advisor for Z-Ultimate Self Defense Studios, “closing the loop” in modern Kempo history and honoring our lineage to Professor Cerio.

Z- Ultimate is Dedicated to Delivering the Highest Quality Instruction
& Information for You through Two Timeless Principles

At Z-Ultimate Self Defense Studios, the Kempo style that we practice is a descendant of the original style taught in Hawaii in 1942. As Kempo was passed down and evolved from generation to generation, many things were changed, but there are two very important principles that Z-Ultimate has preserved and committed to evolving further…

The first is to maintain a connection to the classical roots of our art – values like honor, courage, commitment, sacrifice, self-discipline, perseverance and respect – while making sure that the style is practically and tactically effective in self defense situations.

The second is to maintain and further evolve the traditional manner of teaching used in the Orient for generations that guarantees the highest level of instruction and student development, “Shihan-to-Deshi”, or master to student personalized instruction.

In honor of Professor Cerio’s lineage, to pay respects to the Chinese animals and aspects of the martial arts brought in by Professor Cerio, and to acknowledge that Professor Cerio was constantly evolving and growing his martial arts style and skills, Shihan Taylor refers to the style of martial arts he is practicing and passing on as “Shaolin Kenpo”.