Apart from the actual strikes, kicks and punches within Kempo's basic repertoire, technique of delivery and power development make this art form unique.
The requirements to practise any style or art form vary art to art.  We first examine some of the basic Karate principles starting with the "Kan" School.  Power can be said to be developed by the block, punch combination and correct use of the waist.  Reverse punch is another good example of the way in which karate transfers its hard power out to the fist.  Even karate is circular, the degree of which depends on the "style" and extent of the whole body use.  Small and large circles are utilised to spread or locate power. 

Kempo uses both large and small circles.  Occasionally range short, medium or long, governs the effective use of small or large circle power.  Any style reliant on small or large circles would limit the full potential of its technique.  Careful deployment of energy is necessary for effective Self Defence.  The variety of technique in most Martial Arts systems where circular movement could be employed is exhaustive.  In this article I will restrict the analysis to an overview and comparison only, with the main objective of highlighting the Kempo power source.

The late Grand Master Edmund Parker ready to employ Kempo's deadly circular power

As the waist turns from fighting stance Kempo's circular power finds its mark

Kempo is the forerunner to Okinawan Karate and whilst many are aware of their early roots of Karate being in Kempo, few understand the difference.  To understand this difference between the two arts, we can compare all karate systems as:

- The Old (Chinese)

- Okinawan

- Japanese

THE CHINESE  WORD  FOR
KEMPO/KENPO IS CHUAN FA.

(No difference  in spelling "N" OR   "M')

The old Karate of course is known as Gung Fu or Kung Fu.  This was the very circular and flowery application of technique.  The concept of shortest distance between two points A to B was foreign.   The more circular the movement,  the lesser obvious the end result.  Circular movement was utilised by the comparatively smaller built Chinese people, as the way to increased power.  Once Iron Hand Power had been developed by the long circular training methods, then instant high powered striking ability was accessible from any point, any range short or long. The older  Kempo Schools emphasised extensive hand conditioning

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