Kempo-Jitsu: Pre 1900 Martial Art [Paperback]

Kenneth Melbourne (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 15, 2003

The art of Kempo-Jitsu is a study of the Okinawan Kata. This study is pre 1900 in time of application. What this means is that around 1906 to 1930 the arts went through a change. First of all realize that the samurai way of life was at a close and a non violent way of life was being introduced. The plan was to openly teach children and adults a less violent non contact art. This art became the art of controlled touch. The grappling punching and kicking art of the past was divided up into kicking and punching or grappling. The Chinese character for Tang or Chinese Fist was changed to Karate or Empty Hand. This angered many Okinawan Masters because the Chinese had contributed so much in building Okinawan Te ( Okinawan Hand ). The new art won out however because the new art did not use the Chinese Shaolin Chin-Na. It changed the Chin-Na techniques to blocks. Since the new sporting art was a Japanese project it was only proper it have a Japanese name. The new art would not teach destruction of the enemy. It would put more emphasis on being gentle, building character and blending in with the peoples and laws of the land. To a certain extent these goals were later over shadowed by competition and earning money. In the art of Kempo-Jitsu the study and dissection of the Okinawan Kata goes from 1900 back thus the study is Chinese. Shaolin Chin-Na has five sections, Muscle manipulation, Bone dislocation, Vein and breath disruption and pressure point attack. This art is truly a life time study. I have studied the arts for over thirty years and I am now learning at a faster pace then ever before. The more I learn the more I realize I do not know. Because Kempo-Jitsu is a system and not a style it has no boundaries. The art is not threatened by other arts because it is other arts before they were stylized.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Ken grew up on a farm in Hope Valley RI. When he was seventeen in 1967 he joined the United States Marine Corps, - At this time he was introduced to Combat arts. Courses taken at this time- Basic training,- Hand to hand combat,- Knife fighting, as well as other weapons- Infantry training,- Basic specialist training,- Guerrilla warfare training. Then he was sent to combat in Viet Nam. He viewed Traditional Shorin-Ryu in Okinawa Japan on returning from Viet Nam. In 1972 he started training in Okinawan Shorin-Ryu Karate Do in New London CT. In 1975 he started training with World Champion Mario Yambao from the Philippines. Mr. Yambao studied under Latino Gonzalez who at that time was 8th Dan and held the highest rank in Shorin-Ryu in the Philippines. Mario also won a bronze medal in the Japan World Tournament for fighting. Ken earned 3rd Dan in Shorin-Ryu Karate Do. Ken also started studying Judo and Ju-Jitsu from James Byersdorf 6th degree and Ken Z. Miarecki who holds 9th degree TaiHo Jitsu and 6th degree in Judo and Ju-Jitsu. Also he studied from other well-known Martial arts masters such as O'Sensei Porter (Judo and Ju-Jitsu), Grand Master Woo Ping Chu (Hung Gar and Shaolin Chin-Na), and others. Over the past 36 Years his study delved deep into the Pre 1900 Martial Arts. Ken also holds 9 dan in Taiho-Jitsu under 10th degree Al Cunningham and 10th degree Bernard Gilbert. Most arts are modem sporting arts and have little to do with warfare. The Pre 1900 art is a study of Muscle manipulation, Bone dislocation, vein and breath disruption, and pressure point attack as well as throwing and ground grappling as well as rooted stances, hip power and proper breath. At present Ken teaches 7 days a week. He was recently installed as Vice President of the North American Grand Masters Council. He is married to wife Judy and has 4 children and 5 grand children.

Product Details

• Paperback: 248 pages
• Publisher: AuthorHouse (April 15, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1403386706
• ISBN-13: 978-1403386700
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #743,531 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Student's Review, August 2, 2003

By 

Alfred W. DiOrio (Ashaway, RI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kempo-Jitsu: Pre 1900 Martial Art (Paperback)

First, let me admit to my bias...I've been a student of Ken Melbourne's art since 1996. Through Ken's wisdom and patience, I've become a serious and enthusiastic student of the martial arts. I was delighted when Ken undertook this project as it represented an execellent vehicle for disseminating the tremendous insight that he has into this form of fighting art. Ken covers a wide range of valuable information from historical background, pressure point charts and applications, pre-1900 fundamentals (both hands and feet) and ground fighting Kata. The book contains many photographs of the various movements to assist the reader in understanding the topics. I can recommend this book to students of any of the martial arts as this material will enhance your understanding of your particular art as well as improve your martial ars technique.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great resource for anyone interested in self-defense, February 15, 2007

By 

C. Bank - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Kempo-Jitsu: Pre 1900 Martial Art (Paperback)

Mr. Melbourne's ability to explain Kempo-Jitsu history and step by step movements clearly show he is a Master! Great read with illustrations that are easy to understand! Completely enjoyed this book!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kempo-Jitsu Pre 1900 Martial Art, October 25, 2006

By 

T Monis "TM" (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kempo-Jitsu: Pre 1900 Martial Art (Paperback)

Excellent Book Mr. Melbourne!!! Very well written and highly recommended to anyone who wants to learn or read about Pre-1900 Martial Arts. I really enjoyed the book and found it to be very helpful. I agree with you when you speak of the differences between sport and ancient art. Ancient Warriors did not fight for trophies. They fought for life and death. Their lives depended on the outcome of combat. Not to say that sport of it all, now, is not important. It is, but I can see a huge difference in what you are trying to say. As a martial artist for a number of years, it is all kind of hard to figure out, but my experience, in the martial arts, we more or less learn the same material but do it slightly different. Your approach puts a new twist on what I have learned. I really enjoyed how you kind of glossed over some of the history as well. This is by no means a history book, but gives the reader a rough idea of how things occurred a hundered years ago.History is a funny thing. One can read a German, Russian, or an American history book on WWII, the story will always be different. Same story, just a different view point.
I think you did an excellent job and look forward to your 3rd edition to this series. I teach something totally different but enjoyed your book very much.