What is the Difference Between Kempo And Kenpo? 
There is no difference. The different spellings come from the translation of the Kanji to its English form. The rules of Kanji hold that when a character (written word) ends in an "n," the "n" is pronounced when spoken. The one exception is that when the "n" is followed by another character (word) that begins with a "p," the two characters are unchanged in the written form but the "n" should be pronounced as "m". Ken-po follows this rule. So, if following the correct Kanji translation, it is spelled "Kenpo" and pronounced "Kempo". It is only in transliteration that Kenpo is written Kempo. The words Kenpo and Kempo are both pronounced the same and both mean "Law of the Fist." It's sort of like saying "Qi" or "Chi", "Gung" or "Kung", “Ji” or “Chi.” Kenpo is also the Japanese translation of the Chinese for Fist Method/Path/Law. The old style Mandarin (Wade/Giles) would be Ch'uan Fa. The modern Mandarin (PinYin romanization) is Quanfa. Remember that Quanfa is a completely generic term (like Wushu or Kung-Fu today) and does not refer to a specific system or style. In Cantonese, it's Kuen Fat. Kuen means the fist and is often expanded to mean Boxing or Boxing style. Fa means a method, path, or law.

What style of Kempo does Kempo Academy Represent? 
Kempo Academy teaches the Shaolin Kempo Karate system. Fred Villari, a student of Kajukenbo and Shorinji Kempo systems, originally founded this system. This system tends more towards the Kung-Fu element and utilizes the techniques of the 5 animal Chuan Fa to a large extent. Added to the Kempo system were White Tiger Chin Na techniques, as well as various Aikijujitsu projections and immobilizations. Shaolin Kempo Karate is taught across the United States and Canada.

What Martial Arts Compose The Curriculum Of Kempo? 
Kempo consist of 4 primary arts that can be seen in the Kempo system. Each of these arts is primarily of Chinese influence. They are; 18 hands of Lo Han, 5 Animal Chuan Fa, White Crane Chin Na, and Jujitsu.

Does Kempo Use Weapons? 
Defense against knives and clubs are seen from yellow belt and up. They are considered prime weapons in which to defend against. Kempo also teaches its students how to use weapons to increase their understanding of defense. Weapons that are taught are both Chinese and Japanese in variety and vary widely. Some schools of Kempo teach the 8' staff, while others teach Whip Chain  and Sai. Commonly seen in Kenpo schools are the twin sticks of Escrima. Weapons training often begins at the green belt level. Some schools restrict it to those at black belt level and higher. At Kempo Academy, the primary weapons skills taught are: Stick(s), Half Staff (Jo), and 6' Staff.

Does Kempo Have Forms? 
Many people think that because Kempo is a highly directed "self-defense" art, it contains no Kata or forms. This is very untrue. Kempo has many forms with a notable characteristic of having both circular and linear movements, as well as hard and soft techniques. Kempo forms are used to teach speed and coordination of strikes; as well as movement, projections and immobilizations, and various principles of fighting. Many Kempo systems utilize a numbering system for their forms making them simpler to remember. It is far easier to remember Kata #3 than Naihanci-dai. The American Kenpo and Shaolin Kempo systems use a numbering system for many forms. In American Kenpo, there are numbered Long Forms and Short Forms. Shaolin Kempo has numbered Pinion and Kata forms. Both systems also have "named" forms, such as Statue of the Crane, and Swift Tigers. These are typically more advanced forms. When James Mitose first taught Kosho-Ryu Kempo in Hawaii, he taught no formal forms. He taught only atemi. After Thomas Young took over teaching full time, he added the Pinion forms. This was done with Mr. Mitose's permission. Both Edmund Parker and Sam Kuoha expanded William Chow’s “sets” into full forms. Other forms were added by the Kajukenbo system. Some Chinese Gung Fu forms have also been added to various Kenpo systems. 

Uniform Colors 
A common conversation is the uniforms worn by Kempo students. All students beginning in Kempo wear the traditional white gi. But, as they progress, they are allowed to wear other gi colors as a sign of rank. Students who reach Purple belt may wear an all black gi.  Students who reach the rank of Green belt may wear an all red gi.  Students reaching 2nd degree black belt may wear a blue gi.  At black belt ranks the students and instructors may combine the pant and top colors as they wish.  Only a Master 5th degree black belt and above may wear master striping on the gi. 

How does Kempo compare to Other Martial Arts? 
Kempo and other martial arts have various similarities in technique and principle, primarily, because of the diverse and eclectic background of Kempo.         

Tae Kwon Do and Kempo 
Tae Kwon Do is primarily a sport and demonstration Martial Art.  A lot of emphasis is placed on sparring, various breaks, and spinning aerial kicks.  Kempo is first and foremost a very effective means of self defense with a strong emphasis on striking, overwhelming, and felling an opponent.  Kempo Academy does offer sparring classes and we do compete in sparring competitions.  The techniques we teach in sparring are very different from the Kempo curriculum. 

Karate and Kempo 
Karate is a Japanese Martial Art.  Karate means Empty Hand.  Karate is easily recognized by its hard driving linear movements.  Kempo originated in the Shaolin temples as a Chinese Martial Art.  It later migrated to Japan.  Kempo has a mix of the circular flow and movement from its Chinese roots and the linear movements of its Japanese roots. Karate and Kempo share the closest similarities in techniques, due to similar backgrounds. It is believed, by many, that Karate has its origins as an offshoot of Kempo. (An early book on Japanese Karate was entitled: Kosho-Ryu Kempo: Karate) Many Karate techniques can be found in the Kempo systems. 

Jujutsu and Kempo 
Many of Kempo's immobilization and projection techniques arrived from the Japanese Jujutsu. The various loin throws, shoulder and hip projections, as well as sweeps are a direct inheritance of Jujutsu. Kempo however does not contain as wide an array or extensively developed series of throws as Jujutsu. 

Aikijutsu and Kempo 
In the last few years, many Aikido and Aikijutsu techniques have found their way into the Kempo art, gracing the study of Chin Na with new principles and ideas. The most common techniques are Shiho nage, Irimi nage, as well as En-No-Irimi projections. 

Kung Fu and Kempo 
Although Kempo was originally a "Kung" style, it has over the years thrown away many of its Chinese aspects for a more Japanese "hard style" approach. Still, many soft techniques can be seen in Kempo, primarily the five animal techniques, Chin Na, and weapon skills. 

What is the Purpose of Kempo's Speed Striking Drills? 
An often-interesting topic is Kempo's "speed striking" techniques. The speed striking technique is primarily for building up the hand speed of the Kempo student. This will eventually translate into effective strike speed in a confrontation. A good example of speed striking is seen throughout the movie "The Perfect Weapon" and it is a key training and fighting method. A Kempo student tries to build his reaction speed to a point, where 10 or more strikes can be applied in a few seconds.