Customer Reviews

Kempo-Jitsu: Pre 1900 Martial Art

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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.

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!

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.

Having been a student of the martial arts and having utilized them in the law enforcement field I found Mr Melbourne's book to be a comprehensive study and dissection of the ancient arts and how it applies to modern combat. This is a work directed to practitioners of the combat arts and is firmly grounded in the essential fundamentals, history and the spirit of the arts. After 32 years of study and the attainment of black belts in several disciplines I found the book to be a welcome addition to my M A library.

Poorly written, poorly researched, badly documented. Mr. Melbourne's historical work is at odds with most of the reputable histories of the Asian martial arts. He is unsure of his dates and most of the historical conclusions in his book are just plain silly.

Mr. Melbourne has an illustration where a student/opponent is standing flat-footed with his heels on the same line throwing an awkward punch. He counters with a simple wrist block and throws an ugly back hand at his student's head while trapping the leg of his opponent with one of his own. Given the awkward stance Mr. Melbourne assumed, I was surprised he simply did not fall flat on his face. It must be reassuring to have an opponent who will stand there and be manhandled while supporting the instructor. Mr. Melbourne does go into some sound technique but rotating the hip is not a great secret. Boxers do it everytime they throw a right cross.

Avoid this book as it offers nothing to the serious student. OBTW, Gichin Funakoshi first demonstrated his art in Japan in 1917. One of the early legends was he dumbed down his art because the Japanese were too lazy to study all that he had learned in Okinawa. I make the distinction that the date of Sensi Funakoshi's first visit is fact and the dumbing down is legend. I know and appreciate the difference.