Kenpo:Master Hartzell
a1...@ns1.cc.lehigh.edu
I'm doing a story on Kosho Kenpo Ryu and Master Edward Hartzell of Easton, PA.
To my knowledge, he is the only man who has studied with Master Hassan of the
Mitose Kenpo and Master Chow of Master Parker's Kenpo. He has been studying
countless forms of the martial arts for well over 30 years. He has met and
trained with many of the most famous names in the martial arts, and I believe
that his story will be a very interesting one. If you know any stories about
Master Hartzell, or if you have trained with him, please drop me a line. You
post it or drop me a line. Thanks for any info you can give.
DBK
a1...@Lehigh.edu
ROBERT A HENDEL
minutes. He seemed to be knowledgable in the history and tradition of kempo
(notice with the "m"). He seemed to think that James Mitose was all that and
a bag of chips, while Chow and Ed Parker were not. In my opinion, Ed Parker
was 50 times the martial artist Mitose was. Parker stated that Mitose had
visited his dojo in California and had perfomed a demonstration for Parker's
black belts. These black belts and Parker couldn't believe what they saw. To
put it bluntly, they didn't think much of him! Ed Hartzell seemed to be quite
a bullshiter. He talked bad about the various schools and instructors in the
area. He also claimed to have black belts and instructor ranks in various
other martial arts. I've been studying kenpo kartate (Tracy and Parker
versions) for about 8 years. I've also studied Tae Kwon Do and Aikido. I
think I've been doing this long enough to judge what a good style is. I
watched Hartzell's class - I myself wasn't impressed. But then again who am
I, I'm no master! On the brochure Hartzell gave me, it said that he had tested
for his 6th and 7th dans. I asked him point blank, "The 7th dan is honorary
right, you didn't have to test for that, did you?" He replied, "No, it was
honorary (I put in the required time and I gave back to the art)." So
basically, he wasn't honest. I would study American Kenpo over this koshu
kempo stuff anyday. But then again, I am biased.
Todd Chapman
:Hello. This is my first posting, and I hope someone out there can help me.
Master Chow is NOT of Master Parker's kenpo, Master Parker is of Master
Chow's Chinese Kempo. I am a chinese kempo student in Phoenix and study
at a school founded by Master Tomas Connor who studied under Master
William Kwai Sun Chow.
Todd
schr...@ecs.umass.edu
First and foremost the only true soke (heir) of Kosho Shorei Ryu Kempo
is Bruce Juchnik Hanshi. He has in his possesion several letters that
Mitose Dai Sensei wrote to him transferring the system to him. Not
only does Juchnik Hanshi have the written documents to stake claim as
the succesor to Kosho Shorei Ryu, he has the physical skill to prove it.
Therefore, anyone claiming to be a practitioner of Kosho Shorei Ryu
must in some way be connected and in be in good standing with Juchnik
Hanshi.
Chow has no connection to Parker's Kenpo. In fact, Chow practiced a very
watered down version of Kosho under Mitose at the official self defense
club along with Thomas Young, Arthur Keawai, etc. Even though it is said
that Chow recieved his black belt from Mitose, that is false. Mitose grew
tired of Chow and refused to promote him, it was Thomas Young who promoted
him. The Kara Ho Kempo system as practiced by Sam Kuoha is largely due
to his efforts as a fine martial artist, not Chow, he was not that bright.
Ed Parker was a brilliant man, but those with brilliance often fail to see
that which is placed before them. When Mitose was at Parker's school he
was trying to demonstrate the principles of timing and distance that are
at the core of his highly complex traditional art. Parker and his black
belts failed to see. Technique is necessary, but in the end, principles
and concepts are where its at.
I am sorry you got a bad impression of what you thought was Kosho Ryu Kempo.
You should check out Bruce Juchnik Hanshi if you have the chance. I would
offer you one piece of advice, with the way martial arts are today, I would
avoid any snap judgements about any art, until you have the time and
energy to research.
Bahala Na !
Robert Douglas
: You should check out Bruce Juchnik Hanshi if you have the chance. I would
: offer you one piece of advice, with the way martial arts are today, I would
: avoid any snap judgements about any art, until you have the time and
: energy to research.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
: Bahala Na !
:
I just had to respond and comment on what a wonderful statement you just made.
Perhaps more people could take this setence to heart.
Rob Douglas
a1...@ns1.cc.lehigh.edu
Hartzell. While some were not very flattering, one shouldn't ask questions if
he doesn't want answers. To the gentleman from Lehigh who wrote about Master
Hartzell after speaking to him for 30 minutes. Master Hartzell said that you
asked him very intelligent questions, and he gave you truthful answers. I do
not know what the two of you discussed more than what you said in your
response.
He does invite you back to the dojo to work out for a month (free of charge)
so that you may learn more about him and the system he teaches. If this is
suitable you may call him or reach me via my e-mail.
As for his speaking ill of other dojos-I'm rather surprised. I do know for
a fact that he has dismissed students from his school for showing disrepect to
other martial artists and systems. I also know that he encourages his
students to attend other dojos so they may continue to grow.
As for the other letters that have shown up concerning Kenpo. I doubt that
the truth will ever be acknowledged by everyone in the system. Everyone's
Master, it seems, is the only one to believe. Mitose, Parker, Chow,
Juchnik, Hassan, Hartzell and the countless others have so much to offer,
and yet we still argue about who is correct. It seems the person with the
most letters of confirmation and validation wins, while the rest of us lose in
one way or an other.
Thanks again,
DBK
ryan
to...@primenet.com (Todd Chapman) writes:
> Master Chow is NOT of Master Parker's kenpo, Master Parker is of Master
> Chow's Chinese Kempo. I am a chinese kempo student in Phoenix and study
> at a school founded by Master Tomas Connor who studied under Master
> William Kwai Sun Chow.
>
> Todd
You sure about that? Grandmaster Kuoha only told me that he and Sensei
Ben studied under Master Chow. (that was about 4 years ago).
ryan