kempoinfo.com

Mitose’s training: I think my hunch is validated.

matt — Mon, 12 Oct 2026 22:14:18 +0000

I was pointed to this blog post by the grandson of Motobu Choki. I’m posting it with a caveat that it’s an AI translation done by the Motobu Ryu page, so take it with that grain of salt. In the past, I’ve argued that Mitose likely trained with either Mizhuo Mutsu, Kamesuke Higashiona, or Thomas Miyashiro in Okinawan Karate. Technically it would be training in Motobu Ryu. If that’s the case, he would have had at most, six years of training when he started the self defense club. If the Motobu Ryu folks think it’s the most likely explanation, I feel I’m in good company.

A Close Look at the Combinations

matt — Sun, 04 Oct 2026 20:20:52 +0000

Andy Henson sent me a link to a couple of videos by The Martial Alchemy Channel of some former Shaolin Kempo instructors who have moved on to other arts revisiting the material and taking an in-depth look at the combinations. They have a playlist that includes most of the techniques from 1-27. There’s a few unrelated videos in the playlist – it includes non-Kempo content, too. I don’t necessarily agree with all of the conclusions that they draw, but they do explain their thinking clearly. See what you think.

Time to get angry -with me.

matt — Sat, 03 Oct 2026 03:35:46 +0000

We’ve posted all but two of the combinations we have access to, and now we’re going to dig into the material. This is a bit of foreshadowing, but three years ago Marlon Wilson posted a video that really got to the heart of the matter.

Combination 15 – To twist or not to twist

matt — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 03:34:50 +0000

I was looking for more videos to link in the archive, and I like to keep an eye out for videos featuring GM Villari, as I suppose those would be about as official as a record could get. I was surprised to see in the video that he doesn’t do a twist stance – I had always been taught that way and wasn’t a big fan.

This led to some discussion on the Facebook Page, so I recorded a quick followup after my class the other day. It’s hand held vertical footage with no rehearsal, so obviously it’s premium quality. I offer a ‘step and twist’ option that I learned at a Choy Li Fut seminar on the Siu Moy Fat Kuen form (small plum blossom fist). The second one is just to use a boxing pivot to some extent. Let me know what you think.

Combinations 51-60

matt — Sun, 27 Sep 2026 00:46:56 +0000

Uriel Villa of Open Hand Kempo was kind enough to send me a video of combinations 51-60. This clears almost all of the missing combinations that I have off the board. I’m posting the whole video – all ten – now, but will edit it down to individual techniques to link to from the archive. We’re now seven away from complete, and two away from what I can possibly film.

Alternate footage of 60-70

matt — Fri, 25 Sep 2026 21:19:32 +0000

I put this up on Facebook already, but Joanne Vatore put combinations 60 -70 up on YouTube. It’s a nice, quick run through from a couple angles for each one. It’s well done, and no fluff. She did make some adaptations due to a couple of injuries, but it’s hard to tell. I appreciate the effort here and this filled in a few gaps and showed some alternate versions.

That’s better!

matt — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 00:51:29 +0000

Marlon Wilson, frequent contributor and all around great guy, has answered my prayers and sent in his version of Combination 61 which is completely different and vastly superior to the version I posted yesterday. He’s coming off a back injury, so that makes this video so much more valuable as he’s helping me out when he has plenty of reasons to kick back and let somebody else shoulder the effort. Do me a favor and like and subscribe his YouTube channel.

Combination 61

matt — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 22:36:38 +0000

Look – I’m just going to come out and say it. I really don’t like this one. If you have a better version, a better video, anything – please send it in. We tried to make it work, but it just has so many potentially unworkable flaws. I promised to make these videos, so here’s combination 61.

Whistlekick Radio – Episode 1164 – Me!

matt — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 22:19:36 +0000

Andrew Adams hosts as I get to revisit my martial arts history. If you have read my bio on this site, you will hear familiar notes and stories, as we enjoy an hour of conversation. There might be some surprises in the podcast as I get into my personal training and my motivation for completing the technique archive. Please give it a listen, maybe give them a like and subscribe, and hopefully it will be an enjoyable perspective.

Podcast Teaser

matt — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 03:50:20 +0000

I had a wide ranging discussion with Andrew from Whistlekick Martial Arts Radio, and the podcast drops tomorrow. I’ll post a direct link as soon as I know it’s live. Here’s a teaser clip that addresses a confidence issue in martial arts. I think I got this from Iaian Abernethy’s podcast, but I’m not sure. Here’s the gold standard for technique – it’s not do I know it. If you can do a technique against a compliant partner, you are aware of the movements. You can do a technique when you can make it work against someone who doesn’t want you to make it work. There’s a feed – allow – resist continuum in training. For a novice, you should feed the opportunity to do the technique. If they never get to try to apply the movement, there’s no point. For an intermediate practitioner, you should allow it if they get the setup. To really know you can pull off a technique, you should do it against a resisting opponent in a free sparring / randori / live roll situation where your opponent is actively trying to beat you.