History, Events, and People in Karazenpo Go Shinjutsu Shaolin Kempo Karate
520 A.D.
Bodhidharma, a Buddhist monk from India, travels
to the Shaolin ( "young forest" ) Temple in the Hunan province of China. Bodhidharma, also
known as Daruma or Tamo, is instructed to resurrect the fading spirituality of
the monks at the temple. The monks had become spiritually and physically
decrepit, so much so that many had to be assisted in feeding and relieving
themselves. Bodhidharma teaches the monks a series of physical movements
called "Shih Pa Lo Han So", or "The Eighteen Hands of Lo
Han".
560
Legend states that a Shaolin priest known as
"The Begging Monk" uses various hand and foot techniques to fend off
attackers at the monastery (killing a few of the intruders!). Other monks
were so impressed, they wanted to learn the techniques. The art of
"flowery hands" or "fist way" is born. In the native
language, the techniques are known as "Chuan Fa".
600 - 1500
These centuries saw vast migrations of monks, who were either driven out of
China by emperors, invaders like Ghengis Khan, or left in an attempt to spread
Buddhism. The migrations of these monks brings Chuan Fa, in it's many
names because of families adding their clan names to the variation they
practiced, to Okinawa and Japan.
1500 - 1900
The Kumamoto and Nagasaki clans in Kyushu, Japan develop Kenpo from Chinese
Chuan Fa. Over several generations, Kenpo becomes Kosho Ryu ( "Ko"
- old, "Sho" - pine tree, "Ryu" - school) Kempo.
During this time period, traceable members of the Yoshida (originally
"Urabe") clan, also from Kyushu, continue developing Kosho Ryu Kempo
and passing it on.
1912
Kiyoka Yoshida (born August 1st, 1890 - died 1944) marries Otokichi
Mitose (born 1863 - died 1937) in Hawaii. In actuality, they marry via
correspondence for immigration purposes earlier that year. Their son,
Masayoshi "James" Mitose, would become the first Great Grand Master of
the Yoshida clan not born with the Yoshida name. The Yoshida code is,
"I come to you with only open hands, other weapons, I have not. But
should right or honor require it, my hands will bear me out."
1920
On October 22nd, Masayoshi "James" Mitose (born December 30th,
1916 - died March 26th, 1981) returns to Kyushu, Japan to study his mother's
family art at a temple on Mount Kinkai. Mitose is taught by his maternal
Grandfather, Sukuhei Yoshida (born 1853, died 1936), and his uncle, Choki Motobu.
1937
On February 7th, 1937 Mitose returns to Hawaii. Soon after his arrival,
Mitose opens the "Official Self Defense Club" at the Beretania Mission
in Honolulu, Hawaii. While teaching Kosho Ryu Kempo, Mitose makes perhaps
his greatest contribution to martial arts by opening his dojo to those of any
ethnicity, including females. One of Mitose's students is William Chow.
1949
William K.S. Chow (born June 3rd, 1914 - died September 21st, 1987), with
Mitose's blessings, forms the Dian Hsuhe Go Shinjutsu Kenpo Kai Karate
Association. Chow adds many practical, street tested self-defense
techniques to the system. Prior to his death, Chow renames the style
"Kara-Ho Kempo". "Kara" refers to the Tang dynasty of
China, "Ho" represents the holistic, or multi-faceted spirit of
martial arts. The "M" replacing the "N" in Kempo is
another reference to the Chinese origin of the style which Chow wishes to pay
homage. One of the students that Chow brought with him from Mitose's
school was Adriano Emperado. NOTE: Another of Chow's students was Edmund
"Ed" Parker, who later developed the "American Kenpo" system
which played a large role in the popularization of martial arts in America
during the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s.
1950
Adriano Emperado (born June 15th, 1926), while studying with William Chow in
the late 1940s, begins meeting with other martial artists to compare styles and
techniques. By combining the five different styles, they develop KAJUKENBO
from KArate, JUdo/JUjitsu, KENpo, and Chinese BOxing.
In 1950, Emperado opens the first Kajukenbo school at the Palama Settlement on
Oahu Island, Hawaii. Emperado's training is often intense, so much so that
his motto becomes "The training isn't over until there is blood on the
floor." One of Emperado's students is Victor "Sonny"
Gascon.
1958
Sonny Gascon (born 1933) opens a Kajukenbo school in Pasadena,
California. After a dispute with some Kajukenbo representatives, NOT
affiliated with Emperado, Gascon decides to change the name of his style to
"Karazenpo Go Shinjutsu". Gascon organizes the system of katas
(1-5) and combinations(1-26, etc.). In 1963, Gascon closes his studio, and
eventually returns to Hawaii (1968). One of Gascon's students (starting in
1958 and receiving his Shodan in 1962) is S. George Pesare.
1963
S. George Pesare (born 1939) opens a Karazenpo Go Shinjutsu school in
Olnyville, Rhode Island. Pesare eventually becomes a 10th Degree black
belt in the system. He also studies Judo (5th Degree), Tae Kwon Do and
Escrima (4th Degree), and Aikido (2nd Degree). Pesare also
has a successful career in law enforcement, specializing in weapons
training. In 1994, Pesare won first place at the Rhode Island State Police
Pistol Championship. It has been said that "A student that has
trained in Karazenpo Go Shinjutsu Kempo Karate in New England was either taught
by Mr. Pesare or one of his pupils, or one of his pupils' pupil."
This is true of every student who trains at Duncan's Martial Arts Academy.
One of Pesare's students is Nick Cerio.
1968
Nick Cerio (born 1936 - died October 7th, 1998) opens "Nick Cerio's
Kenpo" in Warrick, Rhode Island shortly after receiving his black
belt. Cerio then studies with William Chow's student, William Chun, then
with Chow himself. Cerio receives his Shodan from Chow on August 15th,
1967. Nick Cerio continued to study with Pesare, Chow, Ed Parker, and many
other masters, distinguishing himself worldwide. In 1989, Cerio receives
his professorship designation, and his 10th Dan. He is also deemed
"Above Ranking Status" by the World Council of Sokes. Two of
Professor Cerio's many certified instructors are Masters James Bryant and Robert
Nohelty.
1991
Masters Bryant and Nohelty open "Masters Self Defense Centers" in
the New England area, with affiliates throughout the North East, Canada, and in
Ireland. Bryant and Nohelty reinstate elements of the original Kajukenbo
and Karazenpo Go Shinjutsu systems, as well as incorporating additional weapons
and more into the system. One of Master Bryant's and Nohelty's students is
Edward R. "Rudy" Duncan.
1995
Master "Rudy" Duncan (born 1951), after 15 years of instructing
various martial arts in the Syracuse, NY area (Geddes Plaza-1987, Camillus-1989,
Baldwinville-1993) opens "Duncan's Martial Arts Academy" at the Maria
Regina Center in Syracuse, NY as an affiliate member of Masters Self Defense
Centers. With over thirty years experience in a variety of martial arts,
Master Duncan adds elements of Aikido, Kali-Escrima, and additional weapons to
the system. Master Duncan openly encourages instructors from other styles
to visit and conduct seminars.
1998
Duncan's Martial Arts Academy moves to the North Area Athletic Club at 507
Pond Street in Syracuse, NY. Master Duncan continues teaching Karazenpo Go
Shinjutsu Shaolin Kempo, eliminating fees for those under 18 years old.
Duncan's Martial Arts youth instruction focuses on the "at risk"
students that make up a large portion of the population surrounding the
dojo. As a certified social worker, Master Duncan is uniquely qualified to
work with needy students. He has published several articles outlining
strategies for teaching troubled youth, including those with Attention Deficit
and Hyperactivity Disorders.
2004
Master Rudy Duncan is personally promoted to the rank of 6th Dan and pronounced SiGung Duncan by Karazenpo Go Shinjutsu Founder, Grandmaster Victor "Sonny" Gascon.