Kempo

All actions of Kempo are based upon the Elder Five Animal Form which originated in China.

In 1377A.D. A Shaolin monk named Tit Yang developed the Dragon Form on the Central Sacred Mountain of Shao Shan.Yang was a Shaolin monk at the Shang Song Temple in the Northern Henan Province of China. The Dragon form develops Spirit or Shen. The Chinese name the Dragon form Long Xing.

THE FIVE DRAGON KINGS

HUANGLONG-EARTH DRAGON-Color Yellow, West, Autumn CHILONG -FIRE DRAGON-Color Red, South,Summer, CANGLONG-WOOD DRAGON-Color Green Brown,East, Spring , HEILONG WATER DRAGON Color-Blue Black, North,Winter BAILONG IRON DRAGON-Color White, Orange, New Season

 

The Wutang Temple,known as the Tiger Temple was integrated into the Shaolin order in 800A.D. A Shaolin monk by the name of Shao Li was a Master of the Tiger form,together with another monk named Shang Yuan Ch'ueh, they developed the Five Animal Form of the Shaolin Order in 1589 A.D. Tiger form is the strongest of the Animal forms. The Tiger form develops Jing to harded the bones and strengthen ones muscle.The Chinese call the Tiger form Hu Xing in Chuan Fa, the Japanese call Tiger Techniques Tora Waza in Kempo. Tiger Techniques are offensive in nature using power and force.

Dragon Techniques compromise of  foot work using Body movement taisabaki to evade and intercept. Dragon Claws,Ryu Tsume are used to grasp the muscle and bone using Chin na Techniques of the Shaolin(Shorin Ji).The Dragon form is the most skilled form of the Elder Five Animal forms.

Tiger techniques are the Strongest of the Elder Five Animal Forms of the Shaolin.A Tiger form practioner goes through an opponent clawing and striking with power and force. A Tiger circles its prey attacking with thrusting kicks of power.

The KwangTung Temple was known as the Snake Temple. It was built in the 1700's as a Shaolin Temple. The Snake form develops Chi, internal energy. Snake form movements are fluid, flowing with blinding speed. Snake techniques strike to specific targets. The Chinese call the Snake form She Xing in Chuan Fa, the Japanese call Snake techniques Hebi Waza in Kempo. The Snake form also develops Ting, listening energy.

Crane form develops stability and balance.The essence of the Crane form is elegance and grace. Crane form is a defensive form which counter attacks with no wasted energy or movement. Kicks are low,no high kicks are used. Light balanced footwork is used along with one legged stances. Crane form is called by the Chinese He Xing in Chuan Fa.The Japanese call the Crane techniques Tsuru Waza in Kempo.

Snake Techniques strike out with blinding speed attacking the vital points of an attacker.

Crane Techniques use defensive movements to then quickly counterattack with Crane Fist,Tsuru Ken, Crane Claw, Tsuru Tsume and Crane Wing, Tsuru Hane.

Leopard techniques use the Four Knuckle Fist called Hyo Ken, the Back Fist,Uraken and the Hammerfist,Tettsui. Leaping Side kicks,Yoko Geri,Front kicks,Mae Geri and Spinning Back kicks,Kaiten Ushiro Geri,Spinning Side kicks,Kaiten Yoko Geri and Spinning Heel kicks,Kaiten Kakato Geri are all examples of the leopard form. The Leopard form is the most physically challenging form of the Elder Five Animal forms.

The Leopard form is a Northern Shaolin Fist Method. The leopard is a fierce and cruel animal.The leopard is known for its leaping ability. Leopard techniques use speed and quickness. The Chinese call the leopard form Bao Xing, the Japanese call the leopard techniques Hyo Waza.