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There are many less than honorable stories in the martial arts. The one I heard about Kenpo Karate and Ed Parker is one of the worst I have ever heard, however. Perhaps, if anybody knows the truth or falsity of this tale, they could let me know.
Ed Parker is credited with being the founder of modern Kenpo, teaching movie stars, including Elvis, putting on the biggest tournament in the world for years, the Internationals, and all manner of other deeds. His students are legion, and his prowess is quite well known. Unfortunately, he was only a brown belt when he first began teaching.
In those days he was actually teaching the Heian forms from Shotokan karate, this as illustrated by one of his earliest books. Running out of material to teach his students, he returned to Hawaii and was told to go take a hike, the founder of the system apparently had lost interest in him as a student. I'm not sure, exactly, what the fall out was, but it was perhaps that Ed was teaching without permission.
Ed then ran into a fellow named Jimmy Wu, whose named might have been Jimmy Woo, who knew authentic and tremendous gung fu, but who was sadly deficient when it came to speaking English. Ed brought Jimmy to Los Angeles, put him up in his house while Jimmy created the techniques and forms of Kenpo. Ed began teaching these forms and techniques as his own.
During this time, Ed asked Jimmy to write a book with him on this new art, and Jimmy spent his days writing a book on Kenpo, teaching Ed and some of his students, all while still being lacking in the English language department. One day Jimmy saw a rough draft/translation of the book that Ed was planning on sending to an agent, and he was surprised to see that his name was not even mentioned in the book. This was surprising, because even though he was partners with Ed, Jimmy was doing all the work.
Why not my name on book, he is supposed to have asked. Ed said he would tell him all about it, but could they take a drive, Ed had an errand to run, and he would explain on the way. Ed drove Jimmy into Hollywood, but Ed didn't say a word about the book the whole time. On Hollywood Boulevard Ed let Jimmy out of the car, and drove away.
Jimmy had only the clothes on his back and a single quarter in his pocket. With that last quarter he called one of Ed's students. In his bad English he explained that he didn't know where he was, or why it had all happened, but that Ed had driven off and left him.
He had been teaching, writing, and suddenly, he had been betrayed. Now, is this story true, or is it a pack of lies? If anybody has definite facts, I sure would like to know.
Ed Parker is credited with being the founder of modern Kenpo, teaching movie stars, including Elvis, putting on the biggest tournament in the world for years, the Internationals, and all manner of other deeds. His students are legion, and his prowess is quite well known. Unfortunately, he was only a brown belt when he first began teaching.
In those days he was actually teaching the Heian forms from Shotokan karate, this as illustrated by one of his earliest books. Running out of material to teach his students, he returned to Hawaii and was told to go take a hike, the founder of the system apparently had lost interest in him as a student. I'm not sure, exactly, what the fall out was, but it was perhaps that Ed was teaching without permission.
Ed then ran into a fellow named Jimmy Wu, whose named might have been Jimmy Woo, who knew authentic and tremendous gung fu, but who was sadly deficient when it came to speaking English. Ed brought Jimmy to Los Angeles, put him up in his house while Jimmy created the techniques and forms of Kenpo. Ed began teaching these forms and techniques as his own.
During this time, Ed asked Jimmy to write a book with him on this new art, and Jimmy spent his days writing a book on Kenpo, teaching Ed and some of his students, all while still being lacking in the English language department. One day Jimmy saw a rough draft/translation of the book that Ed was planning on sending to an agent, and he was surprised to see that his name was not even mentioned in the book. This was surprising, because even though he was partners with Ed, Jimmy was doing all the work.
Why not my name on book, he is supposed to have asked. Ed said he would tell him all about it, but could they take a drive, Ed had an errand to run, and he would explain on the way. Ed drove Jimmy into Hollywood, but Ed didn't say a word about the book the whole time. On Hollywood Boulevard Ed let Jimmy out of the car, and drove away.
Jimmy had only the clothes on his back and a single quarter in his pocket. With that last quarter he called one of Ed's students. In his bad English he explained that he didn't know where he was, or why it had all happened, but that Ed had driven off and left him.
He had been teaching, writing, and suddenly, he had been betrayed. Now, is this story true, or is it a pack of lies? If anybody has definite facts, I sure would like to know.
About the Author:
Al Case has practiced martial arts, including kenpo, for more than 40+ years. You can See his Research at Monster Martial Arts.
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