William Kwai Sun Chow
Encyclopedia
William Kwai Sun Chow was instrumental in the development of the martial arts
in the United States
, specifically the family of styles referred to as kenpo
/kempo
.
Born in Honolulu
, Hawaii
he was the third of sixteen children and first son born to Sun Chow Hoon (AKA Ah Hoon Chow) and Rose Kalamalio Naehu. Chow's father came to Hawaii
at the age of 19 and worked in a laundromat as a laborer. His mother was of Hawaiian
descent. One of his brothers, John Chow-Hoon, would also become a well–known martial artist. Chow left school at age eleven from the sixth grade.
, wrestling
, jiujitsu, and karate
. Though he stood no more than 5’2” tall, he was well known for his powerful breaking
techniques. Chow eventually studied “Kenpo Jiujutsu” or “Kosho Ryu Kenpo” under James Mitose
. As he progressed it he often tested them against US military personnel in street fights. In spite of this, Chow did not run afoul with the law.
William Chow became one of five people awarded black belts under Mitose. Chow's black belt certificate was signed by Thomas Young, Mitose’s senior student and instructor.
Karate
” at the Nuuanu YMCA in Honolulu. As Mitose had never combined his kosho-ryu style with karate, this was a departure for Chow. His many students included Edmund Parker
, Joseph D. and Adriano D. Emperado, Ron Alo, Paul Yamaguchi,Abe KAMAHOAHOA, Bobby Lowe
, Ralph Castro, Sam Kuoha, Bill Chun Sr., John Leone, William G. (Billy) Marciarelli (Kachi/Kenpo), and Paul Pung. He did not create or perform many kata
but focused more on individual techniques.
spread to the United States
mainland with Parker (American Kenpo
), Ralph Castro (Shaolin Kenpo), Adriano Emperado and his students (Kajukenbo
, Karazenpo go shinjutsu) and later with Nick Cerio, who was instrumental in bringing kenpo to students in the eastern United States
. Ron Alo was one of the first to bring Kara-Ho Kempo to the mainland, teaching Chow's art in Southern California before developing his own Alo Kenpo system.
of his own, often teaching in the park and is thought to have lived in near poverty much of the time. Cerio once stated, "He was a very cautious individual who had no business sense whatsoever." Chow referred to his as a “War Art” and focused largely on techniques that he felt worked in the streets.
Martial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, specifically the family of styles referred to as kenpo
Kenpo
is the name of several Japanese martial arts. The word kenpō is a Japanese translation of the Chinese word "quánfǎ. This term is often informally transliterated as "kempo", as a result of applying Traditional Hepburn romanization, but failing to use a macron to indicate the long vowel...
/kempo
KEMPO
KEPCO may refer to:* Korea Electric Power Corporation, a South Korean power provider* Kansai Electric Power Company, a Japanese power provider...
.
Born in Honolulu
Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Hawaii. Honolulu is the southernmost major U.S. city. Although the name "Honolulu" refers to the urban area on the southeastern shore of the island of Oahu, the city and county government are consolidated as the City and...
, Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
he was the third of sixteen children and first son born to Sun Chow Hoon (AKA Ah Hoon Chow) and Rose Kalamalio Naehu. Chow's father came to Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
at the age of 19 and worked in a laundromat as a laborer. His mother was of Hawaiian
Native Hawaiians
Native Hawaiians refers to the indigenous Polynesian people of the Hawaiian Islands or their descendants. Native Hawaiians trace their ancestry back to the original Polynesian settlers of Hawaii.According to the U.S...
descent. One of his brothers, John Chow-Hoon, would also become a well–known martial artist. Chow left school at age eleven from the sixth grade.
Training and lineage
Chow studied several types of martial arts as a young man, likely including boxingBoxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
, wrestling
Wrestling
Wrestling is a form of grappling type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. A wrestling bout is a physical competition, between two competitors or sparring partners, who attempt to gain and maintain a superior position...
, jiujitsu, and karate
Karate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
. Though he stood no more than 5’2” tall, he was well known for his powerful breaking
Breaking (martial arts)
Breaking is a martial arts technique that is used in competition, demonstration and testing. Breaking is an action where a martial artist uses a striking surface to break one or more objects using the skills honed in their art form. The striking surface is usually a hand or a foot, but may also be...
techniques. Chow eventually studied “Kenpo Jiujutsu” or “Kosho Ryu Kenpo” under James Mitose
James Mitose
James Masayoshi Mitose James Masayoshi Mitose James Masayoshi Mitose (born Masayoshi Mitose, (December 30, 1916 — March 26, 1981) was a Japanese American martial artist who brought the art of Kenpo to the United States starting in the late 1930s....
. As he progressed it he often tested them against US military personnel in street fights. In spite of this, Chow did not run afoul with the law.
William Chow became one of five people awarded black belts under Mitose. Chow's black belt certificate was signed by Thomas Young, Mitose’s senior student and instructor.
Instruction style
Chow had a reputation for being a tough instructor, although this quote from Nick Cerio seems to indicate that the intent was to train, not to harm:I got banged here and there with the old man, but not in a malicious way, Chow was tough and gave you a good strong workout. He was adamant about physical conditioning and when he did a technique, he meant business. I believe he didn’t have the intention of hurting you. It was just that he was so powerful and quick that he didn’t realize himself how much damage he did when he demonstrated a technique on you.
Creation of Kenpo Karate
In 1944 Chow began teaching what he called “KenpoKenpo
is the name of several Japanese martial arts. The word kenpō is a Japanese translation of the Chinese word "quánfǎ. This term is often informally transliterated as "kempo", as a result of applying Traditional Hepburn romanization, but failing to use a macron to indicate the long vowel...
Karate
Karate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
” at the Nuuanu YMCA in Honolulu. As Mitose had never combined his kosho-ryu style with karate, this was a departure for Chow. His many students included Edmund Parker
Ed Parker
Edmund Kealoha "Ed" Parker was an American martial artist, promoter, teacher, and author.-Life:Parker was born in Hawaii, and raised a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He began his training in the martial arts at a young age in judo and later boxing...
, Joseph D. and Adriano D. Emperado, Ron Alo, Paul Yamaguchi,Abe KAMAHOAHOA, Bobby Lowe
Bobby Lowe (karateka)
Edward 'Bobby' Lowe was a prominent Chinese American master of Kyokushin karate. He was the first uchi deshi of Masutatsu Oyama, founder of Kyokushin karate, and established the first Kyokushin school outside Japan...
, Ralph Castro, Sam Kuoha, Bill Chun Sr., John Leone, William G. (Billy) Marciarelli (Kachi/Kenpo), and Paul Pung. He did not create or perform many kata
Kata
is a Japanese word describing detailed choreographed patterns of movements practised either solo or in pairs. The term form is used for the corresponding concept in non-Japanese martial arts in general....
but focused more on individual techniques.
Spread of Kenpo Karate
William Chow’s legacy grew as kenpoKenpo
is the name of several Japanese martial arts. The word kenpō is a Japanese translation of the Chinese word "quánfǎ. This term is often informally transliterated as "kempo", as a result of applying Traditional Hepburn romanization, but failing to use a macron to indicate the long vowel...
spread to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
mainland with Parker (American Kenpo
American Kenpo
American Kenpo or Kenpo Karate is a system of martial arts created by Ed Parker, characterized by the use of quick moves in rapid-fire succession intended to overwhelm an opponent...
), Ralph Castro (Shaolin Kenpo), Adriano Emperado and his students (Kajukenbo
Kajukenbo
Kajukenbo is a hybrid martial art that combines Western Boxing, Judo, Jujutsu, Kenpo Karate, Eskrima, Tang Soo Do, and Kung Fu. It was founded in 1947 in Oahu, Hawaii, at the Palama Settlement. The original purpose of the art was to deal with local crime and to help the people defend themselves...
, Karazenpo go shinjutsu) and later with Nick Cerio, who was instrumental in bringing kenpo to students in the eastern United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Ron Alo was one of the first to bring Kara-Ho Kempo to the mainland, teaching Chow's art in Southern California before developing his own Alo Kenpo system.
Warrior ethos
In spite of his heavy influence on the martial arts in the United States and his many notable students, Chow never had a dojoDojo
A is a Japanese term which literally means "place of the way". Initially, dōjōs were adjunct to temples. The term can refer to a formal training place for any of the Japanese do arts but typically it is considered the formal gathering place for students of any Japanese martial arts style to...
of his own, often teaching in the park and is thought to have lived in near poverty much of the time. Cerio once stated, "He was a very cautious individual who had no business sense whatsoever." Chow referred to his as a “War Art” and focused largely on techniques that he felt worked in the streets.
Death
Shortly before his death in 1987, Chow renamed his system “Kara-Ho Kempo”. Chow died of a cardioventricular accident due to hypertension.See also
- Kenpo Karate
- Kosho Shorei Ryu Kempo
- Ed ParkerEd ParkerEdmund Kealoha "Ed" Parker was an American martial artist, promoter, teacher, and author.-Life:Parker was born in Hawaii, and raised a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He began his training in the martial arts at a young age in judo and later boxing...
- Tracy KenpoTracy KenpoTracy's Kenpo is a Kenpo martial arts style with historical roots back to William Chow and James Mitose.- Origins :Kenpo is an unarmed fighting style that came to Japan from China around the twelfth century. Kenpo continued to evolve separately in both countries over the centuries...
- James MitoseJames MitoseJames Masayoshi Mitose James Masayoshi Mitose James Masayoshi Mitose (born Masayoshi Mitose, (December 30, 1916 — March 26, 1981) was a Japanese American martial artist who brought the art of Kenpo to the United States starting in the late 1930s....
- Kara-Ho KempoKara-Ho Kempo-Kara-Ho Kempo:Kara-Ho Kempo is a martial art created in the 1930s by the late Professor William Kwai Sun Chow of Hawaii . The system can best be described as a series of rapid strikes to the vital areas of an opponent...
Sources
- John Corcoran, Emil Farkas, Martial Arts Traditions, History, People, W.H. Smith, 1981. LCC 82-11940
- Breen, Andrew. "Professor Nick Cerio, Evolution Of A Kenpo Master" Inside Kung Fu, July 1997: 40-45, 102-103