New Book on Kajukenbo / Kenpo Connection

[Eugene Sedeno]

This note is from the Author of this book, who is a classmate of mine under Prof. Walter Godin 

Aloha Kempo and Kajukenbo brothers and sisters. I am writing to inform you of a newly published book that will soon be available, titled Black Robe The Kempo/Kajukenbo Connection. The book entails a little of my martial arts journey in the Kempo/Kajukenbo system. Also a chapter on my instructor Professor Walter Leo Niakala  Godin, of his Kajukenbo beginnings and a chapter on his instructor; the great Joe Emperado. The chapter explains in detail of what exactly happened on Memorial Day in 1958. As was told to the detectives by the eye witnesses and assailants stated in the police transcripts. It also states the courts verdict of the case, and the aftermath of the three assailants. I also write about 4 of the 5 founders of Kajukenbo, (and a lost Kajukenbo legacy of a 6th founder) as told to me by Kajukenbo Co-Founder Frank Ordonez. The omission of Sijo Adriano in the chapter is not in anyway to downplay or disrespect Sijo Adriano Emperado. Countless publications, magazine articles, videos and dvd's have been made about Sijo's life and method of Kajukenbo; and I would just be repeating what others have known for many years. One more publication will not add to his greatness he made in martial arts history nor will his omission take away anything . I wanted to give an overview about the other four who played an equal part in developing Kajukenbo but somehow became more unheralded. But I will add; I wrote a short tribute to him. Another controversial chapter will be the topic of a minority of some Kempo instructors philosophy of their students black belt ranking. The final chapter will be illustrated effective Kempo/Kajukenbo street self-defense, illustrated by Kempo and Kajukenbo stylist David Kovar, David Ducay, Tommy Lam, Frank Robello, Andrew Evans, Jason Groff. The segment in no way is meant to compare superiority of one method over the other. But to show Kempo and Kajukenbo street defense at it's highest levels and it's diversity and progression throughout the years. The foreword is written by Senior Grandmaster Eugene Sedeno first generation black belt of Professor Walter Godin. The book will be available in mid July or early August. The website will soon be made prior to books print. The book I'm sure will be a subject of controversy in the Kajukenbo and Kempo world. And am sure it will be boycotted by many. Should you have any BAD comments about the book feel free to email me at fightingarts@msn.com. If you have any GOOD comments please contact Grandmaster Eugene Sedeno contributing writer; or Andrew Evans the book associate editor. They both are members to Kajukenbo Cafe. I would rather keep a positive discussion on the blog. And keep the Kajukenbo Cafe a respectful forum. The negative you can discuss or debate with me personally and hopefully intelligently.

Thank you for your time and attention. Aloha and keep training.




-David Tavares

  Former Editor- Fighting Arts Hawaii Magazine

  Writer of DVD "What is Chinese Kempo" YouTube-

  Author- Black Robe The Kempo/Kajukenbo Connection

Book cover

[Dave Jones]

Finally, a book that gives a little credit to Thomas Toyama and pays some respect to our boxing heritage, eh?
In my experience, the "controversy" mostly occurs when people do not know -or want to acknowledge- that a lot of our "history" is either very embellished or outright fabricated to make the story better.
Challenging what a lot of people claim to have happened with documented facts ruffles feathers occasionally. 

I've experienced this first hand in Hawaii years ago when about 6 of my seniors were telling me to "learn my history" because I asked a question about dates that didn't add up.
Fortunately -and unknown to me- Shihan Joe Holck himself was standing behind me at the time and he simply said "He's right."
I will always remember how my seniors got real quiet as I turned around to see him smiling at me.

GM Sedeno, please pass on my regards to the author and let him know I am interested in purchasing a copy.

Mahalo!
Dave

[Chief Instructor]

Book is now available at http://www.black-robe.net

[GM J. Willis]

I'm sure that will be a must book to have with the mention of the great people you have on there

[Chief Instructor]

Dave, I enjoyed reading your statements on history. I've been noticing that schools tend to teach incomplete or biased history and people takes it as gospel into adulthood without ever looking into the subject again after they left school with their incomplete cliffnotes education.

Anyway, I just received my copy of the book!!! Lots of great history that many of us will never learn from our Kajukenbo/Kempo instructors. I encourage everyone to read it and decide for themselves what is and what isn't.

Great pics too!

[Chief Instructor]

https://youtu.be/EW0TYEdUGvg

[JWMTN]

Picked it up the other day.... great read! Lot of history.