Hakuda Ryu Kempo Jutsu Essex

A Mon is simply a symbol that represents something. The above symbol is the Mon of Hakuda Ryu Kempo that is displayed on our web-site and our Kamiza at the Dojo. A Kamiza is an image or a symbol on a picture placed in a prominent position in the Dojo. Where as in Japan and Okinawa a shrine may occupy a prominent place in the dojo in the west often, but not always a kamiza is used.

Kempo is often spelt Kenpo, however there is actually little difference between the terms Kenpo and Kempo, with the exception that many of the more modern Kempo styles that emerged in America such as those of Ed Parker tend to use the term Kenpo. Whether the term Kempo or Kenpo is used, both terms describe Fist (Ken) way (Po), hard fist or law of the fist. Our preference is to use the spelling Kempo as was usd by some of the earliest published Japanese works on Karate Kempo Jutsu.

The symbol of the Sho, the line of Okinawan Kings or perhaps the three Kingdoms of Okinawa. For the various legends about this symbol see here:

http://www.okinawan-shorinryu.com/okinawa/symbol.html

The scroll banner and its inspired origin

The banner scroll beneath the symbol of the Sho dynasty and the fist relates to the influence of the Naha Te style known as Goju Ryu. This scroll is mainly seen on the Japanese Goju Kai Mon which was founded by Gogen Yamaguchi who was also a master of Jigen Ryu Ken Jutsu, the art of the Satsuma Samurai. the Japanese Goju scroll was chosen as part of the Mon to provide a symbol relating to the influences from Japanese Goju on the historical development of Hakuda Ryu Kempo Jutsu in recent times. It also attests to the influence on some of our training methods.  The calligraphy in the scroll reads Kempo: Way of the Fist. The term Kempo was used to describe those systems of martial arts which had their origin in Chinese methods of boxing.  

The two open hands beneath the the mon with the fist indicate that the Kempo that we practise also involves open hand techniques and at the same time show a hand position in Chi Kung that is practised with this Kempo.The Open hand techniques in Hakuda Ryu Kempo Jutsu  include Nukite (Okinawan Nuchi di) or spear hand, this is done with the thumb in line with the second finger as part of Kasshin di or fighting hand. Kasshin di aims to develop; footwork, body torque, use of hips with open hand techniques including use of tips of fingers and thumbs,  

The pair of fists below the hands with lightening between them give indication of the Kyusho Jutsu aspect of the art, the lightening representing the power that the hands and fists have to send electrical type shock waves through the body by striking the vulnerable points.

Kanji for Te or di

In the Mon the Kanji symbol beneath the fist (symbol of Kempo) is the ideogram for Te or hand, this is in order to emphasise the way of the hand. Te or Ti is believed to be the original Indigenous martial arts of Okinawan which was later combined with Chinese influences (Kempo) to create Toudi, the predecessor of Karate. 

Kanji for Kempo

Beneath the symbol for hand the Kanji reads Kempo which means (Ken= Fist Po= Way, Truth, Law) the way of the fist, the law of the fist, or the truth of the fist.

Kanji for Tote or Tuite

To the right of the symbol the Kanji in red reads Tote another way of writing Tuite. This refers to a hand grappling system found within striking arts.

In other words our Kanji suggests a hand, fist way that involves grappling this is in order to emphasise that we encompass striking with the fist and open hand and open hand grappling in what we do.  The Toudi kanji is used to emphasis that the type of Kempo that we practise is based an old Okinawan martial arts as oppossed to  modern version American Kempo.