Mastering Kempo (Paperback)

by William Durbin (Author) "Since the beginning of time, humankind has used various forms of fighting..." (more)
Key Phrases: freestyle kata, kempo training, grappling skills, Renzoku Ken, Kempo Karate, Shorinji Kempo (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
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"As one of the leading practitioners of Kempo, Durbin has in-depth knowledge of the history and philosophy of the martial arts. I recommend this book heartily to all martial artists who wish to expand their knowledge and understanding of the intricacies of the martial arts."
Bill Superfoot Wallace
Retired as undefeated PKA middleweight champion (1980)
Member of the Black Belt Magazine Hall of Fame

"""William Durbin is the most objective, authentic, and accurate Kempo historian in America today. I have studied his methods and worked and practiced with him for five years. His skills and abilities in the martial arts, especially Kempo, are fascinating. I enthusiastically recommend Mastering Kempo to everyone involved in martial arts."
Bill Beach, Judan/Shihan
Professor of jiu-jitsu, karate, and judo
Founder and director of the Hawaiian Jiu-Jitsu system

"Bill Durbin is unequalled as a researcher and teacher of the art of Kempo. This work shares his technique and philosophy gained throughout his 30-year career. I am honored to recommend Mastering Kempo."
Richard L. Stone
Hanshi senior master
The Kudu Martial Arts Association
"

Product Description
Finally, a book that covers all aspects of the “original martial art” is here! Mastering Kempo presents the profound history and essential techniques, tactics, and training needed to excel at this art.

This is Kempo as the masters originally taught it, featuring their methods of training and wealth of technical knowledge. The skills and advanced training methods taught in the book will enrich the Kempo of any stylist and contribute to an in-depth understanding of the many martial arts derived from Kempo—including judo, jujutsu, and karate.

This outstanding resource was written by William Durbin, a Kempo master and a premier martial arts historian with 30 years of training. As a soke (the highest ranking in Kiyojute Kempo) Durbin is considered one of the world’s foremost authorities and historians on Kempo. The knowledge and insights he provides in Mastering Kempo will elevate you to your highest level, physically and spiritually.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 171 pages
• Publisher: Human Kinetics Publishers; illustrated edition edition (November 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0736003509
• ISBN-13: 978-0736003506
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #436,000 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!, March 8, 2001

By	Jason (Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews

I found this book to be a very interesting and informative look at the art of Kempo. The author presents information in a refreshingly unbiased, down to earth manner which is very easy to read and digest. While this book will by no means teach you Kempo (it focuses more on the WHY than the HOW), I have found it to be an excellent addition to my lessons. Many of the ideas in the book will blend well into any form of Kempo, and probably other arts as well. The author presents many interesting and effective ideas on training, both physical and mental, as well as loads of interesting history. The only complaint I could possibly make is that I wanted to read MORE when I finished! I hope the author chooses to expand the information presented here in future volumes.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Decent book, generally good., November 2, 2003

By	Joseph M Burtner (Kennesaw, Georgia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I'd actually like to give the book ***1/2, but I figure since they only allow whole numbers, I'll round down. Much can be learned from this book, of you are a begginer, or practice another Asian fighting form. Particularly, I like the explaination of Embu, and the principles behind Kempo's fluid striking combos. One thing that caught my eye is how the author always tried to link Chinese, Okinawan, and Japanese martial history, ephasising Okinawan. I'm no historian, and though I doubt the links were as close as presented, it did pique my interest in seeing how accurate the history was, and has therefore opened my eyes to Karate/Kung-Fu/Kempo history. Some basic striking techniques are presented, but the bulk of the book is not "how to do a front punch", it is "do this to make any strike more effective". I dislike, however, that the author seems to call every Asian art Kempo, including Jeet Kune Do. Overall, the book is good to read, but mostly for the "art/philosophy/history" types. Folks interested in sport or protection would do better to look elsewhere.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Embu - Kempo Training (Excellent History, Ancient Kata), October 29, 2002

By	Golden Lion "Reader" (North Ogden, Ut United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

A special method of Kempo training origins during class called "Embu". Embu is extremely efficient way of teaching students how to apply their skills in actual combat while avoiding the contentiousness nature of sparring. Sparring is not the traditional method for teaching martial arts. The purpose of sparring to teach speed, distance, rythm, and timing. However, the end results of sparring while not create the desired quality and deep understanding of the art.

Anciently, the fighting monks practiced kempo to improve personal security against bandits. It is very doubtful these monks would have engaged in actual fighting to practice the martial art. Monks regarded injury to an another human being as unacceptable. Often after a real confrontation, they would administer relief to the injuried attackers, when possible. The monks sought peace and esteemed themselves as pacifist. So, how did they obtain fighting skills second to none?

The monks practiced kempo using the philosophy called embu. Embu in Japanese means "Martial exercise." The first Embu method has two partner moving simulateously, without any prearrange techniques. They move softly and slowly maintaining safety. The one punch pull is required to avoid contact and serious injury. The flow between defense and offense is expressed during the exercise. To the viewer, it seems like the practitioners are engaged in a dance: weaving, entering, blocking, and striking. The use of hand and foot skills is encouraged. As the skill levels increase, vitals areas become the pin point targets. Embu should appear effortless and direct.

The second embu method requires coreograph or a set of moves to be practiced. A group of four students work together with one student defending against the other three. Each student has a set of moves to perform, whether it be an attack or an defense. As students masters the old movements they can begin to create new movements. The new movements usually are created after a few years of study with the teacher. At first the student learns how to perform each movement. The movements are practice slowly at first, and the speed increased as their skill improves. Eventually, the practice increases in speed and power. The attacking students measure their response after each defense technique is performed by the defending student. The flow of motion can increase in speed and power until it closely approximates real combative environments. The one inch pull punch or kick is encouraged, to avoid serious injury, and allow for continueous training. If injury starts to occur during training, students are required to examine levels of control, slow the techniques down, and apply an softer application of the technique.

Eventually, the subtle mysteries of the technique are revealed, and as the student reflects on the technique a vast range of application are realized: joint turns, throws, cavity presses, blocks, strikes can be seen in the technique. Additionally, the use of chi and mental focus changes the techniques consequences. Kempo real power is understanding vital points and how mental focus increase the effectiveness of the strikes and block. The most powerful material breakers are often practitioners of kempo. Softer and more penetrating potential is realized by the defending student. The student begins to visual the physical consequences resulting from each techniques. The degree of reflection depends on the understanding of the student and their perspectiviness. Students are required to reflect on their practice and work together to improve each others perfection.

Kempo techniques are expanded to use grappling. Anciently and modernly, Chin na expresses itself within the philosophy of kempo. Throws, chokes, joint locks put the receiver down. Finishing strikes can be apply allowing the practitioner to clear the oppponent before moving to the next attacker.

During practice Kempo trains against a vast variety of weapons: knives, clubs, staff, sword, and hand to hand. Embu philosophy still applies regardless of the attack pattern and type. The goal is to blend and work harmously and effortless against a wide range of spacial patterns. Position, speed, power, and feel are developed during practice.

Embu does not encourage aggression. It allows realistic self-defense training. The result is a stronger feeling of calmness and control by the student. More importantly it enourages cooperation and control through a heighten sense of awareness. Movement can flow from one attacker to another, awareness of how space can be occuppied is anticipated. Vulnerabilities become traps with counters, locks, and strikes responding. In Kempo, embu is essential to proper training and development.