My Martial Arts Interest
Nippon Kempo is an empty handed, a full contact style of karate which consists of Atemiwaza (thrusting, striking, or kicking techniques with fists, feet, or knees), Nage-waza (throwing techniques or foot sweeps), and Kansetsu-Gyaku Tori-Waza (joint reverse grasp techniques or arm-locks). In Nippon Kempo, a full contact with fists, feet, and knees is permitted because participants wear protective padding (face guard, trunk guard, crotch guard, and gloves) to prevent injury. While newly introduced martial art in the U.S. is based upon modern and scientific principle, Nippon Kempo's inheritance is deeply rooted in traditional martial arts (Judo, Karate, Aikido, and Kendo). When you watch a boxing match, you would think if a boxer would try foot-sweeping techniques he could beat his opponent or when you watch struggling judo players in a judo match, you think if he strikes with his fists or kicks his opponent with feet or knees, the match would be over with a punch or kick. While these techniques are all prohibited in judo and boxing, these techniques are all come together in the modern and exiting sport that is called "Nippon Kempo".
The organization of Nippon Kempo was officially established in 1932 by Masaru Sawayama (1906-1977). The founder had a similar personal history to Dr. Jigoro Kano (1860-1938, the founder of judo) in the process of establishment of new sports. Shihan-Sawayama trained in two different martial arts and successfully combined these martial arts' properties into one system like Dr. Kano created and systematized a modern sport "Judo". Dr. Kano learned two jujitsu systems (Kito-ryu and Tenshinshinyo-ryu) before the establishment of judo.
Shihan-Sawayama learned judo since he was little. When he was attending in Kansai University (located in Osaka), he had a 5th degree black belt in judo. While he trained in judo as a captain of judo club in Kansai University, he started learning Shito-ryu Karate from Kenwa Mabuni. (Kenwa Mabuni is the founder of Honbu-ha, Shito-ryu system (One of the largest karate systems in Japan)). Shihan-Sawayama combined judo techniques such as throwing and arm-lock techniques and Karate techniques such as striking and kicking techniques from Shito-ryu Karate together. In addition to this fact, he applied the idea of Kendo which allows to make a full contact in the contest by using protectors and Shinai (Bamboo sword) to the sport. As a result, Shihan-Sawayama sucessfully established a new sport "Nippon Kempo".
Nippon Kempo Club was established at the University of Kansas in 1988 by Hikaru Murata (5 Dan, as of 1991). In 1990, August, the University of Kansas was recognized as a brunch of Nippon Kempo Federation in Japan, at the same year, Nippon Kempo Federation of America was established. Nippon Kempo Clubs are now in Kansas State University and Labette Community College. There are other recognized clubs in Canada, Mexico, Great Britain, Italy, and France.
Nippon Kempo is the form of Martial Arts I study. If anyone has any more information on the style feel free to e-mail me. The information on Nippon Kempo was provided from a pamphlet released by the Kansas Judo Association
These are just a few Martial Arts Links I have come across, ENJOY: