Edmund K. Parker (1931-1990)
Mr. Parker began his martial arts studies
in Judo and boxing then found his way into Kenpo, under
the instruction of Professor William K.S. Chow while
living in his native land of Hawaii. In addition, through
exchanges and interactions with other martial artists
such as Bruce Lee, Dan Inosanto, James Lee and Professor
Lau Bein, was Mr. Parker able to experiment and formulate
his ideas that would later become "American Kenpo".
Mr. Parker was the President and founder
of the International Kenpo Karate Association (IKKA).
He was also the creator of the now famous International
Karate Championships (IKC's) where Bruce Lee made his
historic first public appearance. Mr. Parker was also
considered the "Father of American Karate"
as he opened the first commercial karate studio in the
U.S. in Pasadena California in 1956.
The original developer of the art of
American Kenpo Karate, Mr. Parker was a very talented,
gifted and skilled martial artist with an unbelievable
mind to develop what became American Kenpo. Through
40 years of experience, he built his system on principles
of motion that included opposite and reverse motion,
tailoring and the use of logic. He developed many tools
to aid his teaching with the creation of the "Universal
Pattern", the "Equation Formula", training
manuals, books and videotapes and other training aids.
Mr. Parker was dedicated and was driven
to create, as well as evolve, the art he called American
Kenpo. He dedicated his life to the perpetuation of
Kenpo. Kenpo was one of his greatest loves and he wanted
to make Kenpo become a household name. He built his
system to incorporate linear and circular motion, with
intermittent spurts of speed and power when and where
necessary, with both major and minor moves. His idea
was for the student to learn motion and then tailor
it to fit their body and later create their own personal
style of moving, governed by principles. His extraordinary
knowledge and skill of the art made him a very deadly
man, yet these same skills empowered him to be a man
of compassion, forgiveness, control, and self-discipline.
Mr. Parker also instructed people in
American Kenpo to elongate their circular motion and
to "round off" their rougher, jerkier movements.
Both traits are found in beginners and as one progresses,
they should hone their motion to tighter circles utilizing
extremely explosive, continuous and fluid movements.
This is what Mr. Parker demonstrated for nearly forty
years.
Mr. Parker devised his own philosophy
of self-defense that he tailored to his abilities and
imagination. He analyzed what he was taught, dissected
it and broke it down to its core elements. He was blessed
with an incredible ability to analyze motion. He was
an astute observer and picked up many things from many
people over the years. He took those ideas, and then
modified them to fit his vision of a complete martial
art. Mr. Parker was also very humble and always gave
credit to someone else's ideas, accomplishments, talents,
skills, and often acknowledging other martial artists.
Mr. Parker added concepts, principles
and innovations that were not being used at the time
by any other martial artist. He updated and expanded
on even his own ideas and principles, always looking
for better ways to do and explain things. His system
is about change and evolution. It is evident by Mr.
Parker's actions, writings and updates/evolution's to
his own art over his 40 years in the martial arts that
American Kenpo was never meant to be traditionalized.
Without Mr. Parker questioning what he was taught, thinking
for himself and breaking tradition, there would never
be "American Kenpo".
Senior Grandmaster and 10th Degree Black
Belt Edmund K. Parker, Sr. left this earth on December
15, 1990. He was just 59. Those that knew him dearly
miss Mr. Parker. There is a big void in the martial
arts since his abrupt departure from life. He was an
extremely kind, religious and humble man. He took the
time to make everyone feel important around him. He
was a great friend and teacher. This is in his memory.
He will not be forgotten.
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