Nankai Kenpo
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| First played |  Lion's Rock , 1900's |
|---|---|
| Characteristics | |
| Contact | Yes |
| Type | Combat sport |
| Equipment | Boxing gloves or MMA gloves |
| Presence | |
| Country or region | Worldwide |
Nankai Kenpo, commonly abbreviated as 'Kenpo', is a modern martial art originating in Lion's Rock. Originally developed as a Karate variant oriented towards women's self-defence by Dame Miriam Nakamura, it has since developed into a style of Kickboxing with an emphasis in practicality. It is primarily taught in Anglic-speaking countries but has enjoyed a degree of worldwide popularity.
Etymology
'Nankai Kenpo' (南海拳法) is a term of Tsurushiman origin. Translated literally, it means 'Fisticuff Techniques of the South Seas'.
Origins and characteristics
The founder of Nankai Kenpo, Miriam Nakamura, was borne in Lion's Rock in 1882. Her father was a shipping magnate of Anglicised Tsurushiman origin. Nakamura was known to be a scrawny, sickly child, afflicted with a myriad of health problems. She was also often bullied in school. As a result, her father hired trainers to teach her martial arts in an attempt to strengthen her physically. She studied Jujitsu from the age of 9, before switching to Karate at the age of 11. As a student at Kingston University in Arthurista, she also cross-trained in boxing.
As with many gentlewomen of her era, Nakamura engaged in charity work upon her graduation and return to her native Lion's Rock. Unlike many of her contemporaries, Nakamura chose an idiosyncratic field in which to contribute. Early-20th century Lion's Rock was rapidly develping into an international shipping centre. Thousands of migrant families eked out a precarious living in the Docks District, which at the time was a slum, rife with gang crime and violence. Identifying an area in which she could be of significant assistance, Nakamura decided to set up the Nankai Kenpo Athletics Association to teach women of the Docks District potentially life-saving self-defence skills.
The style of martial art as taught by Nakamura was a predominantly striking-based system. Nakamura's curriclum had its foundation in Karate. She retained a number basic Karate katas in their original form, condensed or abbreviated a few others, and created one ab initio, for a total of seven in all. She also incorporated the head movement and footwork of boxing.
Unlike traditional Karate, Kenpo training focuses less on Katas and more on the use of simple punch-kick combos and realistic full-contact sparring, in which strikes to the head are allowed. The emphasis of the system is in the practitioner's ability to control distance and seize the initiative, using agility to maneouvre for position rather than brute force. On the whole, the system has a greater emphasis on kicks compared with standard Karate, whilst its hand techniques are closer to those of Arthuristan boxing. However, if one's opponent does manage to close the distance, the practitioner is encouraged to utilise its simple jujitsu-derived takedown moves as a decisive fight finisher rather than attempt to fight in the clinch.
Nankai Kenpo also incorporates some weapons training. Katas were compiled for two weapons: the short staff of roughly 4 feet, and the knife. Both of these were considered to be highly relevant in the civilian self-defence context. Notably, Kenpo's short staff techniques include variants adapted for use with an umbrella. Knife-fighting is no longer taught in many modern Kenpo curricula.
Nakamura was knighted in 1947 for her contribution to women's sports. She continued to serve as the chairperson of the Nankai Kenpo Athletics Association until her death in 1973.
Modern developments
In the 21st century, Nankai Kenpo has largely grown beyond its original self-defence roots and is largely taught as a style of kickboxing. A feature of modern 'sporterised' Kenpo is the emphasis in elaborate kicks, including the axe kick, scissor kick and flying kick, which are controversial amongst more traditional practitioners. Kenpo-rules Kickboxing is a combat sport whose ruleset allows the use of low kicks and takedowns as well as limited clinching, but forbids the use of elbows and knees.
Kenpo practitioners have enjoyed a degree of success in international kickboxing competitions, being more successful under slightly more restrictive rulesets whilst encountering some difficulties in those which are less restrictive . It has also been employed in MMA competitions, where competitors often incorporate Kenpo in their fighting styles whilst cross-training in a grappling art such as Jujitsu or Periclean Wrestling.
Notable practitioners
Elbareth Arthurius, Princess of the Shield of Arthurista, is a well-known practitioner of Nankai Kenpo and has particiated in many amateur kickboxing competitions.