<strong>American Kenpo Karate</strong> (/ÃÂkÃÂnpoÃÂ/), also known as <strong>American Kenpo</strong> or <strong>Ed ParkerâÂÂs Kenpo Karate</strong>, is a martial art system developed and codified by Ed Parker in the United States during the mid-20th century. Parker organized a structured curriculum of striking techniques, forms, and self-defense methods that became widely taught through schools in the United States and internationally. The system is characterized by its emphasis on rapid striking combinations, self-defense techniques, and an evolving instructional framework.
The term kenpà  (æ³æ³Â), also romanized as kempà Â, is an English romanization of the Japanese reading of the Chinese characters (æ³æ³Â), meaning âÂÂfist methodâ or âÂÂboxing method.â The same characters are read "kuen fat" in Cantonese and "quánfÃÂ" in Mandarin Chinese. In modern Chinese usage, (æ³æ³Â) refers broadly to methods or techniques of boxing/striking and is regarded as a category of martial art rather than the name of a specific style. Similarly, in Japanese, kenpà  historically referred any Chinese-derived boxing systems but, in contemporary Japanese, may in some contexts be used more broadly to refer to striking-based martial arts in general. The term appears in the names of several modern systems, including American Kenpo and Shorinji Kempo.
American Kenpo today lacks a standardized curricula across schools, due to various reasons:
Parker did not name a successor as Senior Grandmaster of the IKKA. He instead entrusted his senior students to continue his teachings in their own ways, leading to the creation of several distinct derivative styles.
Although each American Kenpo school differs in content and methodology, many basic principles, concepts, and theories remain the same. Some common elements are:
By the time of his death in December 1990, Parker had created eleven forms, three short and eight long. He also created 154 named ideal phase technique sequences with 96 extensions, taught in three stages: Ideal Phase, What-if Phase, and Formulation Phase.
The IKKA logo was designed by Dave Parker, Ed Parker's brother, in 1958. The design is meant to symbolically represent the art's modernized form while simultaneously acknowledging the roots of American Kenpo in traditional Chinese and Japanese martial arts.
American Kenpo has a graded colored belt system consisting of white, yellow, orange, purple, blue, green, 1st- through 3rd-degree brown, and 1st- through 10th-degree black. Different Kenpo organizations and schools may have other belt systems.
The black belt ranks are indicated by half-inch red 'tips' up to the 4th degree and a 5-inch 'block' for the 5th. After that, additional half-inch stripes are added up to the 9th degree. For 10th degree black belt, two 5-inch 'blocks' separated by a half-inch space are used. In some styles, an increasing number of stripes on both sides of the belt can indicate black belt ranks.
Depending on the school, there are different requirements per belt. Parker's IKKA schools used a 24-techniques-per-belt syllabus, but some schools today have adopted a 16âÂÂ20âÂÂ24 technique syllabus as their standard. The 24-24-24 and 16âÂÂ20âÂÂ24 technique syllabuses contain the same techniques, but the latter groups them differently, with fewer techniques at lower belt levels and more total belt levels.
In addition to self-defense techniques, Parker set specific criteria for proficiency at each level. The requirements include basics categorized by stances, blocks, parries, punches, strikes, finger techniques, kicks, and foot maneuvers. They also include specialized moves and methods, such as joint dislocations, chokes, take-downs, throws, and other grappling components.
Beyond proficiency, a student's character and attitude can be analyzed as a significant consideration in the promotion to a new rank. Promotion after a third-degree black belt has more to do with contributions made back to the art, such as teaching and other great works of exploration. For example, a third-degree black belt who further explores defending against a knife and brings that knowledge back may be promoted for his excellent contributions.