Kosho Ryu Kenpo
Mitose ultimately called his style Kosho Shorei-ryū Kenpo, which can be translated as "Old Pine Tree School of Encouragement." Bushi Matsumura's style, which he taught to Ankō Itosu who taught it to Gichin Funakoshi and Motobu Chōki among others, was Okinawan "Shōrin-ryū", which is often translated as "Little Pine Forest".[citation needed] In his early days in Hawaii, when Mitose started teaching after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, he called his art as simply Kenpo-jujitsu (Nerve Strike method) and would refer to it as Shorinji Kempo or Go shin jitsu. The word "Shorin" is characteristic of styles from Okinawa, although Shorinji Kempo is a Japanese art founded by Doshin So.
Mitose claimed that he learned martial arts and religion in a Buddhist temple, but his descriptions of organization and practices of the temple do not match those practiced by mainstream Japanese Buddhism. It is possible that Mitose came from a heterodox background. Mitose often dressed as a Christian minister. In "What Is True Self Defense?" he stated that one should practice the dominant religion of whatever country one is in, including its application to martial arts and spiritual practices.
Sensei Larry Acaya, VEA Martial Arts Academy Instructor
Mitose claimed that he learned martial arts and religion in a Buddhist temple, but his descriptions of organization and practices of the temple do not match those practiced by mainstream Japanese Buddhism. It is possible that Mitose came from a heterodox background. Mitose often dressed as a Christian minister. In "What Is True Self Defense?" he stated that one should practice the dominant religion of whatever country one is in, including its application to martial arts and spiritual practices.
Sensei Larry Acaya, VEA Martial Arts Academy Instructor
Short video biography on Sensei Larry and the VEA Martial Arts Academy.
Sunday Morning Kids Kenpo Class, with Sensei Larry Instructing.
Kenpo Videos
Historical Photos
