GM Ed Parker Part 1

While this may not be the only copy, it is likely the best copy as it is a direct copy from a 16mm master. www.martialmoves.com/
Film Provided by Ron Chapél, a long time student of Ed Parkers, from his private stash. For a full explanation of the video please visit www.martialmoves.com
Conversion courtesy of:
www.peggybank.com

[@MrSendaikenpo]

Thank you for this historical footage of Ed Parker.

[@josephbingham1255]

The sign at the beginning "Karate My Empty Hands"- I remember being on the wall at his Dojo on Santa Monica Blvd. near the 405 Freeway.

[@rayvandragon]

this is a real gift for kenpo lovers...thank you very much!!!

[@EmptyHands154]

Wow. Even though it's some seriously archaic Kenpo, it incredible to see the basis for Ed Parker's work. Thanks for sharing.

[@stealthninja63]

When will you all realise no one steps through with a punch, not even a fool.

[@x3C40x]

wow! thank you so much for the upload, fantastic quality! very cool look at the beginning of kenpo

[@MrSsfsfsf]

That backknuckle strike to the thigh will defeat any opponent. Wah-sah!

[@JoesRambles]

Ed Parker and Chuck Sullivan. Nice!

[@sshaffe4011]

Having several old copies of Black Belt from the mid 60's, these B/W movies were advertised by Ed Parker using his company Ed Parker Enterprises. It's great to see Ed Parker and seeing how the techniques were performed back then and knowing how they're done now with more checks. Realizing these films were essentially teasers to interest someone buying the film to pursuing the martial arts further. We see these moves through 2014-2015 eyes; but in the 60's using the power of film to market kenpo was truly ground breaking. The Shotokan crowd filmed one of their masters doing the advanced forms too. However, the Shotokan practioners today perform the moves somewhat differently as well. Style and movement changes. There's plenty of kenpoists doing these techniques in a more fluid/dynamic way that can and will break bones if applied combatively. Don't make the mistake of looking at a training film as reality. Kenpo works if it's applied properly and using your brain and modifying the movements based on the situation. Good instruction helps too!

[@yakkerklrm3659]

Well said, This is very early, very young Ed Parker, Kenpo at the time of his death was a much more economical and effective art than seen here or when Tracy split off. As an original American Kenpo practitioner (who is now a 9th degree) once asked me, what is the difference between fast and quick? If someone knows the answer, then they are part way to understanding martial ART

[@michaelgalose8956]

Kenpo has no true Okinawan , Chinese or Japanese lineage . Choki Motubo of Okinawan Kenpo , would hand those clowns their heads after decapitating their testicles .

[@sshaffe4011]

@@michaelgalose8956 Check out Mitoses’ cover of his book “What Is Self-Defense?” Compare the crest with Robert Trias’ symbol on the wall of his early dojo. Trias if you’ll recall was the father of Okinawan Karate here in the USA. Mitose was a fellow instructor with William Chow, who was the instructor of Ed Parker. I think you’ll find both symbols are the same. The lineages have the same roots. Yes, Motobu was a big man and unafraid. So was Mr Parker. In Motubu’s introductory book, he wrote; “I am inclined to believe that this art was taught by Chinese men since there were many contacts made between Rykukyu and China from ancient days.” p.15

[@renshimellor]

Looks like Okinawa te to me , lol , awesome footage . Very much appreciated .

[@jaguarstrikesagain7927]

These techniques will work if you adjust them to give them more fluidity, I think they are way more practical than rolling around on the ground in a life and death struggle against to or three attackers.

[@kungfusansootsoilihofuthun8895]

Totally agree

[@michaelgalose8956]

@@kungfusansootsoilihofuthun8895 The most effective style of karate is Goju Ryu because it can be stand up or a grappling art . Morio Higaonna would hand those two clowns in the video their heads .

[@nkel6111]

a slim mister ed parker..... I am always amazed that we black belts think we are bad asses with 38 plus inch waist lines. Realize., speed is so vital as is good movements. That is flexibility not hampered by a donut-generated chubbiness. I think bill Wallace explained quite well that for a good kick a high raising of the leg/hip into kick is needed.

[@Bushcraft242]

Did kenpo in the 80s

[@davidtice4972]

Frank Trejo was one of the top Kenpo masters but he was also a kickboxer.

[@joelsantos9990]

I think that this is a typical shotokan posture ! Am I right on my reasoning ? I hope so.

[@toritedo2003]

Well shown simple techniques, and practical for the most part. Taken from Chuan Fa, and Chinese Kenpo, yes the movements and techniques really are very old, and tested in real situations. As conceptual techniques, they show good knowledge of anatomy and physics. Many of the techs are still being taught today. I have used bits and pieces of many during confrontations. Mr Parker's Kenpo blended with Chin Na or Jiu Jitsu work very well. Take this in the context in which it was intended; possibilities based on Action/Reaction. If they truly are worthless, then no one would be able to do them except on compliant partners, and the art would have died many years ago. I have used them to great effect in my bodyguard work. So, instead of slamming something you don't understand, Do some research, go to a dojo, challenge an instructor. It is easy to put someone down from a distance. Do it to a good practitioner face to face. Then tell us all how worthless it is

[@martialmoves]

Thanks for the comment. And I agree.

[@unhingedkiller114]

Terry Shea You bollix.

[@TheBoxingCannabyte]

"Do some research, go to a dojo, challenge an instructor. It is easy to put someone down from a distance. " Well, once you get good at it. Spent my time in the military learning to do just that. You could be a 6"7 Royce Gracie-Franken-Bruce-Lee monster and I'd still get ya without you ever knowing :P. I've done some bodyguard work, though I didn't enjoy it. Morally many private security firms don't abide to even my questionable scruples, lol! Guarding money-trains for dispensaries was one of the more dangerous things I did stateside for awhile. In your line of work, would you say you really more on your h2h experience vs dependancy on a sidearm? Just seems like it's a smart play considering the legalities of using a sidearm vs tuning someone up, but at the same time you want overwhelming force to protect your clients, right? Thin line to tread. I personally am well-practiced in boxing, FMAs, American Arwology, Emerson Knife Boxing, I wrestled a bit but I'm far better as a striker than my ground game. Aikido after my injuries and Tai Chi had to replace a lot of BJJ and more advanced Silat and Sayat techniques. My favorite carries for a sidearm are similar to what I used in my third tour, HK USP .40, SIG P226 DAK, though I highly recommend the HK P2000 LEM (or P30 LEM, V4.1 /w 6.2-ish pull), though the DAK trigger is trully amazing too. Cutlery-wise I carry a Tops Backbite and a Spyderco Paramilitary and one with an Emerson Opener.

[@witri9]

All those groin strikes.

[@Bushcraft242]

Did kenpo in the 70s self defence

[@scottyjohnson9399]

I'll have to remember to wear a cup with spikes if i fight someone like this.

[@AmericanInRomania71]

Is that Master Sullivan with Master Parker?

[@martialmoves]

Yes, it is Chuck Sullivan. You can find a full description of the footage here: www.martialmoves.com/blog/gm-ed-parker-early-footage/

[@AmericanInRomania71]

Thank you

[@drummerchicago]

i have the original 8mm that was sold by ed parker from the late 1950's I think

[@sologtrstewie]

Looks like Mr. Parker was formulating "father" and "Mother" relationships early into his teaching here in the states....interesting. More fuel for the "Family Related" and "Family Groupings" study.....

[@davidtice4972]

Well, you can see now more than ever why Dan Inosanto doesn't do Kenpo Karate. Of course there are some techniques he does I like.

[@zarmindrow5831]

kind of miss the bowl white do of later years

[@sambaker3679]

who is mr parkers uke please x

[@austingode]

So not kenpo yet ….

[@davidtice4972]

I mix Kenpo with San Soo Kung Foo.

[@jaguarstrikesagain7927]

I think these critics don't know what they're talking about, don't know how to do these techniques correctly and or don't test them out before they speak.

[@williambeck6575]

Exactly. They are just fans who sit on their asses and talk shit on a keyboard.

[@theredninja2817]

Jaguar Strikes Again I totally agree

[@theredninja2817]

william beck finally it seems like somebody who knows how to make sense of a good situation too many idiots on KZbin

[@davidtice4972]

Ed Parker chose Judo Gene LeBell to fight a boxer in a boxer vs a martial artist challenge match.

[@jacquesaebischer9124]

Ed Parker a ete entraine par de grands maitres : son style de kenpo est chinois. Avec le temps, il ajouta d'autres techniques provennants " de sa pratique avec d'autres maitres , d'autres pays. De retour d'Hawaii vers les etats unis , le colonel Parker avait fusionnes les quelques styles acquis durant sa formation a Hawaii , et d'autres endroits . On se bouscula pour suivre son enseignement ( Dan Innosanto qui amena Bruce Lee, Larry Tatum et la liste des celebrites est encore longues) . Ce fut meme Ed qui conseilla a Dan Innosanto de se mettre a l'escrima philippine Ed etait en avnce sur son temps !!!

[@kungfusansootsoilihofuthun8895]

Love the video. Very effective when delivered aggressively fast and unforgiving with intent to totally destroy the target. Elbow to the eye socket, throat, collar bone. You get the jist 😉

[@illuminate50]

Неестественно, но для новоначальных сойдёт 😮

[@TheBigley]

Other than the salutation, there is nothing Chinese about Kenpo, not even the name.

[@Liquidcadmus]

it's also not Karate

[@yakkerklrm3659]

Can you translate Karate without using Google ?

[@yakkerklrm3659]

Actually he took some of the forms from Chinese martial arts

[@seanhiatt6736]

All Kenpo/Kempo come from James Mitose in Hawaii. Mitose seems to have gotten much of his stuff from Okinawan Shorin Ryu; despite his claims about learning it in a temple. Much of the Kung Fu influence came from other people like William Chow Kara Ho Kempo a student of Mitose. I believe Chow learn Hung Gar from his father.

[@grappler240]

Funny how these techniques are STRAIGHT out of Tracy's Kenpo. No alterations. Odd.

[@Liquidcadmus]

Tracy's Kenpo comes from Ed PArker's Kenpo. and both are the same useless garbage. it's not Kung Fu, it's not KArate.

[@yoshit9819]

You learn to fight by sparring.

[@yakkerklrm3659]

You learn by real contact. By practicing techniques many , many, many times against people of all different sizes and shapes The attack much be real. Not necessarily full speed, but such that if you don't get offline and counter/ block you will get smacked. I've seen many practitioner who play at point sparring or spar only under a fixed set of conditions, yet couldn't, when it counts, fight their way out of a wet paper bag.

[@georgekondylis6723]

When sparring happens all this crap goes out the window. In a streetfight also.

[@marcoglara2012]

I was lucky enough to earn my black belt in Ed Parker’s kenpo karate in 1997. Fortunately, I began wrestling soon after. After competing in the Olympic trials many times, I started doing submission grappling. Unfortunately, it was clear early on for me that traditional martial arts ( like this) are mostly useless in an actual fight. It’s a bit sad. So much time energy and love goes into this art. None of it useful in combat.

[@marcoglara2012]

@@JoseGonzalez-gg6rs Yes. But I would be critical of the type of kick. A basic round low leg kick or teep would probably be best I think. Basic and effective for controlling distance.

[@mvib1604]

I’ve been studying Chinese Kenpo for around six years, and am working on the next belt. And you are absolutely right. Most if not all Martial Arts are really just fighting *Theory* . No training in Kung Fu, Karate, Krav, or even BJJ will guarantee a win in a real fight. Sparring is the closest one can get to a test of real combat.

[@TshepoKotelo]

​@@mvib1604What is kumite like in Chinese Kenpo?

[@dalegribble60]

I can just imagine the look on Bruce Lee's face while watching this....

[@jakemoyle4037]

Bruce Lee and Mr Parker were friends and they trained together. Bruce lee demonstrated one of his ideas at a Kenpo tournament in Long Beach which is where someone got in contact with Bruce to Become Kato in the Green Hornet

[@Liquidcadmus]

Ed Parker is the L Ron Hubbard of martial arts. a true conman

[@yakkerklrm3659]

A salesman no doubt, who took advantage of the mystic martial arts trend in the 70's. However by the time of his death, he had refined his art until it was one of the most practical, scientific and effective arts out there.

[@Liquidcadmus]

are you joking? American kenpo is ridiculous and useless. he did refine it as a cult and a successful business though.

[@yakkerklrm3659]

I am going to assume you trained in Parkers Kenpo for you to be making that statement and that you are not being nasty just to make yourself feel good. When and where did you train and under who? What other arts have you trained in. Have you ever faced an American Kenpoist in the ring?

[@MrSsfsfsf]

"karate is a bunch of crap" -- Ralph Gracie

[@Liquidcadmus]

"the second button on a shirt makes or breaks the shirt." Jerry Seinfeld

[@seanhiatt7228]

Remember the Gracies sell a product, and all other MA's are competators to their bottomline

[@califguy5344]

When Ralph Gracie's jujitsu can take on multiple opponents, then they have something to brag about. Otherwise, it is half an art. Anyone who would go to the ground against multiple opponents would wind up dead before very long.

[@TheRealSmokeyDutch]

who the F is Ralph Gracie? LOL! this video was taken around the same time Helio Gracie was being dominated in Japanese Judo.

[@unhingedkiller114]

Parker was a nice guy, but when it came to martial arts he didn't know what the fuck he was doing.

[@talon115]

Karate sucks!

[@bradbode5246]

All Karate? And every aspect? Are you sure? This is vintage footage. It is really outdated, but an example of how the arts have evolved in America. Knowing the context is important.

[@talon115]

Brad Bode I would agree with you, except that karate was sold as a battle tested for hundreds of years fighting art. Then we find out it was just a scam. These stupid moves wouldn't work when they were demonstrating them, so they sure are completely worthless now.

[@bradbode5246]

I don't think you have read my articles because you would know I generally agree with you. However, there are good lessons in mechanics in SOME of the practitioners of Karate. This footage is not necessarily to be held as a shining example. With most martial arts it should be evaluated IN CONTEXT. The error is that these videos are presented in a self defense context, when they wouldn't work in total. But, if you break them down, there are good concepts / components. If you don't know who this is... he drastically evolved in the following years. Borrowing from Chinese arts and others, he created his own system. Conceptually his system was brilliant. He was an early pioneer of bringing common sense and science to the arts where you could. (He also introduced Bruce Lee to the world).

[@williambeck6575]

Two clowns talking shit.

[@Liquidcadmus]

American Kenpo is not Karate