The modern branch of Kenpo that was create by SGM Edmund K. Parker.

Comments:

See Kenpo for more information and historical context.

Ed Parker, in America, dramatically revised the system of Kenpo in the later part of the 20th century, by adding numerous innovative categorizations, methods, theories, rules, and principles.

Because of those innovations, many Kenpo practitioners refer to the modern day version of Kenpo as American Kenpo or (Ed) Parker('s) (American) Kenpo. But this was while SGM Parker was alive.

Since his untimely death in 1990, two (2) major issues in his system have cause further fracturing and therefore further naming conventions.

First, legal issues. Legal issues from the Parker family about the use of the Parker name have motivated many practitioners to refer to their art by the more generic term, American Kenpo.

Second, variations. Some of SGM Parker's students began to depart from the standard system laid down by SGM Parker and began adding their own stylistic modifications to the art.

Because of these issues, the term American Kenpo began to take on a more generic term (like Kenpo before it), referring to any variation of SGM Parker's foundation.

Some notable variations are:

IKCA (International Karate Connection Association) - Chuck Sullivan

Kenpo 5.0 - Jeff Speakman

Sub Levell 4 - Ron Chapel

See Ed Parker's American Kenpo (System) for more information.

Related Definition(s):

Kenpo, Principle, Rule

Related Term(s):

Ed Parker's American Kenpo