The History of Shaolin Kempo Karate
Shaolin Kempo Karate is a modern, hybrid martial art known for its comprehensive approach to self-defense, which integrates techniques from multiple distinct traditions. Its development is rooted in ancient Asian martial arts, but its foundation as a unique system is attributed to Great Grandmaster Frederick J. Villari in the late 20th century.
📜 From Ancient Roots
The origins of Shaolin Kempo Karate trace back through three primary martial arts disciplines.
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Shaolin Kung Fu (Ch'uan Fa): The philosophical and physical "backbone" of the system traces its lineage to the Shaolin Temple in China, established around 495 A.D. The art is traditionally linked to the monk Bodhidharma, who introduced breathing exercises and fighting techniques based on animal movements (Tiger, Crane, Snake, Leopard, and Dragon). This tradition emphasizes circular movements, fluidity, internal power, and longevity.
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Kempo (Kenpō): This term broadly refers to a family of martial arts with Chinese roots, brought to Japan and Okinawa. Literally meaning “Law of the Fist”, Kempo emphasizes speed, power, and efficiency, focusing on rapid strikes, kicks, and throws to quickly disable an opponent. Key principles include situational awareness, efficient flow, and the scientific application of physics and anatomy to create adaptable and realistic self-defense methods.
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Karate: Originating in Okinawa, Japan, Karate ("empty hand") developed from indigenous Okinawan fighting arts (Te) and Chinese influences. This discipline contributes a focus on linear movements, explosive hard strikes, and formal training methods.
🌊 The Migration of Martial Arts to the United States
The direct evolution toward Americanized Kempo styles began in the 1930’s in Hawaii through Japanese American martial artist James Mitose and his student William "Thunderbolt" Chow. Chow blended his family's Kung Fu with the Kempo he learned from Mitose, creating a distinct style often referred to as Kenpo Karate or Kara-Ho Kempo. Chow's teachings became a major focal point for the subsequent development of numerous American Kempo styles.
However, the significant growth in popularity of the martial arts in the United States can really be attributed to Ed Parker. Parker, a native of Honolulu, began his martial arts journey training in Judo and later studied Kenpo under Frank Chow, who introduced him to William Chow.
Ed Parker is widely recognized as the "Father of American Kenpo Karate" due to his innovative adaptations and tireless promotion of the art. He adapted the traditional Kenpo he learned to create a modern, logical system called American Kenpo Karate.
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Adaptation and Innovation: Parker realized the classical methods he learned needed changes to be practical for modern, real-world self-defense scenarios. He developed new concepts and principles, moving away from more esoteric or classical Eastern concepts. His focus was on creating a fluid, adaptable system that could be customized to the individual practitioner.
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The Hollywood Connection: Parker's studio in Southern California allowed him to connect with the entertainment industry. He trained numerous celebrities and stunt performers, most notably Elvis Presley (to whom he awarded a black belt). This celebrity exposure propelled Kenpo into the American mainstream consciousness.
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Promoter and Organizer: Parker was a dynamic promoter. In 1964, he organized the inaugural International Karate Championships (IKC) in Long Beach, California. This event was crucial, as it brought together martial artists from all styles and provided a major platform for rising stars (like Bruce Lee, whom Parker introduced).
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Impact on Shaolin Kempo Karate: Ed Parker's system and the people he trained directly influenced the lineage that led to Shaolin Kempo Karate. For instance, Great Grandmaster Frederick J. Villari, the founder of Shaolin Kempo Karate, trained under Nick Cerio, who, in turn, was influenced by Ed Parker and William Chow. The structural organization and practical, self-defense focus popularized by Parker's Kenpo informed the hybrid approach of SKK.
Parker's work essentially took Kempo from an art primarily practiced in Hawaii to a codified, widely recognized martial arts system on the mainland, paving the way for numerous variations, including Shaolin Kempo Karate.
🥋 The Founding of Shaolin Kempo Karate
The system of Shaolin Kempo Karate was founded and developed by Great Grandmaster Frederick J. Villari. Villari's martial arts training began early in his life, starting with an introduction to Western and Chinese boxing from his father. In his teens, he expanded his skills by studying Jiu Jitsu and wrestling with the LeBlanc brothers. At about 18, Villari sought out Nick Cerio (who was influenced by the Hawaiian lineage of William Chow and Ed Parker) as an instructor of Chinese Kenpo, where he completed the requirements up to the rank of second-degree black belt.
Driven to further refine his knowledge, Villari traveled to the West Indies, where he traded techniques for training in Karate and Kung Fu, eventually receiving his third and fourth degrees under a Chinese-Australian instructor named Soo. This comprehensive early study across multiple disciplines laid the foundation for his later creation of the cohesive Shaolin Kempo Karate system.
Villari's insight was the belief that relying on a single fighting style created exploitable weaknesses. He sought to create the "ultimate fighting system" by merging the strengths of the diverse arts he had mastered. By combining the fluid, circular movements and internal focus of Shaolin Kung Fu with the hard-hitting, linear techniques of Karate and the practical self-defense of Kempo, Jiu-Jitsu, and Chin Na, Villari designed SKK to be a versatile and practical art for the modern era.
Villari officially founded his system in 1968. In the decades since then, Villari's Martial Arts Centers have grown into a national organization, helping spread his extremely effective system of martial arts throughout the U.S.
A continuous development of the mind is essential to success in the martial arts.