Extended Family Arts that Avoid Forms

[GM ALAN M. REYES]

Under the banners of Suisun Self Defense or Reyes Kenpo Karate, we have taught Beg. (children) hoping they will become Adv. (young Adults) and hopefully full fledged Blk Belts (Adults) within a certain time, training, knowledge, and what we call "Martial Art" maturity.
And depending on the EFFORT applied "ONLY" by them, will they be able to be able to call themselselves Martial Artists, Self Defense Practitioners, Kajukenbo Stylists, or KMMA Fighters. And the same scenario, goes for Adults starting at a late age,,,,
All Beg. wether Adults or Children will have to work on their Fundamentals,ie: "Pinans", not a big part of knowledge, but knowledge, accepted and trained correctly, can be devastating. Whatever your "Branch" or "Method" draws their knowledge from. Even it's a  new way, like that of the KMMA way of thinking. Even they have fundamentals that they have to meet to become an viable student to their art of fighting.
But believe me when I say, that I have seen the power and knowledge of all concerned Sijo Emperado,my Father GGM Al Reyes, within "OUR" Kaju circle, if applied correctly, a fledgling student, can become a Master of this Self Defense Art, at a technique Level, fighting level, or extreme cases a killing level...
I have been taught to accept this way of life, hopefully others will never have to use it, but it's there when needed, again and again, and again,, that's the basis of Kajukenbo, any branch or method,,, from beginner to advance to master...
SO AS SIJO SO APTLY SAID, "A MASTER IN THEIR OWN ART, WILL BE A HARD MASTER TO BEAT"......
So In His thinking, training, developement, and continous dedication will make you a Master,,,but will you be that MASTER that will be hard to beat,,,,hopefully,no one will ever know! Only "YOU" know, wether you stepped on the mat and gave your training ALL that was possible to give, at that point, at the end of the day are you a FIGHTER,,,then it is your right to be a Kaju Student,,,If not, keeep on training and keep on evolving,, the payoffs will be ten fold. "Pinans", as one so aptly put it "tip pf Ice berg".

Hope to see everone voicing their likes and dislikes at the next  UNITY GATHERING on April 10th 2010 in Vacaville, Starts at 10:00am and ends at 4:00 pm..... email me!
Nor-Cal iis the greastest concentration of KAJU Stylists there are, hope to see all represent,,

with all due respect
GMReyes

[Ron Baker]

I wonder what Mitose was thinking when Chow opened his school and called what he taught kenpo-karate instead of kenpo jujitsu. I wonder what Chow was thinking when Emperado took Chow's kenpo-karate and added jujitsu/judo and boxing to it to create his own style. I wonder what Emperado was thinking when Ramos created his own style of kajukenbo, when Gaylord created his own style of kajukenbo, when Dacascos created his own style of kajukenbo. You can be mad at those who make changes or praise them for having the wisdom to develop something new and the passion to put in all the hard work that comes along with it. I've seen pictures of my grandfather riding in a covered wagon on his farm. I'm sure glad I don't have to ride that wagon to Oakland everyday to go to work!  

All were very proud men, and initially may have resented their students for progressing and evolving.  That Kajukenbo still exists, is proof that those proud pioneers set aside their differences enough so that their students' could develop and progress while honoring their roots.  For Kajukenbo to continue to evolve and develop in a healthy way, it's our duty to set aside pride and ego--this includes not teaching our students that it's their loyal duty to carry generational grudges--and appreciate Kajukenbo for what it was, what it is, and what it will be.

[KajuJKDFighter]

thanks Prof B

[lairkenpo]

In my humble opinion, and I am not saying this facetiously, we need to first define "forms" or "kata" so we can all be on the same page in this discussion.
The majority of us use the words "form" or "kata" when referring to the formalized training drills created by the founders of our method, in this case, Kajukenbo. As history shows, many of these were original, and many were adaptation of Japanese or Okinawan kata, with a Kajukenbo flavor. At the time these were developed, these were what separated Martial Arts from street-fighting, and Kajukenbo was built around a traditional Kenpo base. In interviews, Sijo Emperado referred to "forms" as "dances" (see the Joseph Jennings interview for Panther Productions). His personal preference in teaching was the self-defense sets ("quin" or "waza").
This having been said, the argument could be made that each of these self-defense sets was a "form" or "kata", itself. This is how
Prof. Chow taught his Kenpo Karate, and many say Sijo was heavily influenced by Prof. Chow in his teaching method. Never having studied with Sijo directly, I don't know how true this is. Just repeating what I've heard...don't hang the messenger!  Again, I'm not implying that Sijo Emperado found no value in "forms', or that he didn't teach them. I did find it rather interesting that he referred to them as "dances".
All dojo that use combinations of kicks, punches, or kick/punch combinations on heavy bags, focus mitts, Thai pads, during shadow-boxing, or during standardized partner training drills, well, that's their "kata" or "forms". They may not favor the Palama Sets, or Naihanchi, or Bassai, but, if they are formalized training methods, by definition, they are "kata" or "forms". I know that last statement is going to piss-off a lot of people, but, a wise man once said; "The truth may not always be pleasant, but it's always the truth!"
Again, this is just the opinion of one lifetime practitioner. If you don't agree, we are Ohana just the same. After all, I don't agree with everything my brother believes, yet he's still my brother!

[Gints Klimanis]

From what Sijo told me, Palama Set 11 was developed from the "Naihanchi" kata that Mitose taught.  It was known by all the kenpo people from the Mitose, Chow, Young, and Emperado schools. 
Since it was commonly performed at funerals, it became nick named the "Dance of Death".
[/quote]

Prof Bishop,

Is this "Dance of Death" funeral tradition still alive ?  I would like someone to help me leave for the Dojo in the Sky that way.

[Greg Hoyt]

I agree Gints, I love Pinan #11...the Dance of Death.  The first time I saw it performed live was when Sifu Kristin demonstrated it for our class on Maui many years ago.  Sigung Trent Sera taught us (the adult class), and we practiced it as a team.  But the most heartfelt and spiritual performance I witnessed was when Grandmaster Alan Reyes "danced" Pinan #11 at Sijo's funeral service on Maui.
Rest in Peace, Sigung.
Rest in Peace, Sijo. 

[Gints Klimanis]

Hello Sibak Greg,

Wonderful account of the "Death Dance" at Sijo Emperado's funeral.   Would anyone have a picture or a video of this moment?

Gints

[Tony49]

We have a Moving and Stationary Death Dance in out system.  Not sure how close it is to Pinan #11.