Ryukyu Kempo

Ryukyu Kempo (also known as Chinese Kempo, Te, Tote, ect) has been the way of martial arts in Okinawa hundreds of years. This is what martial arts was before the transition into what most people know as ‘modern karate’. Ryukyu Kempo is not a ‘style’ of martial arts like Goju-Ryu, Shorin-Ryu, Shuri-ryu, Tai Kwon Do and the list goes on. Rather, Ryukyu Kempo encompasses Okinawan arts with emphasis on life-protection techniques, regardless of an individual’s size. The concepts of Ryukyu Kempo bridge the gap between styles and aid the student in defining his or her techniques, regardless of style. Ryukyu Kempo incorporates many of the same concepts as ‘Acupuncture’; dealing with over 300 pressure points of the body, chi flow (also call Qi, Ki, or Bio-electric energy), yin & yang (positive & negative), the 12 bi-lateral body meridians, and the 5 elements (earth, wood, fire, metal, water).

Kyusho-Jitsu is the pressure point striking of Ryukyu Kempo. To perform a Kyusho-Jitsu technique, a student must be trained in striking a combination of points. Strikes to the proper points – in the correct order, angle, and direction – can disorient, disable, or cause death to an attacker. The map of these pressure point combinations are hidden within Kata. With correct understanding and adequate practice of the techniques contained within Kata, Ryukyu Kempo techniques and combinations can be interpreted.

Parts of the text on this page have come from Grandmaster George Dillman’s 2nd book: Ryukyu Kempo: Advance Pressure Point Fighting.