In 1960, Senior Grandmaster Ed Parker Sr. first book, entitled, Kenpo Karate, Law of the Fist and the Empty Hand was completed and published. Mr. Parker introduced the reading public to the art of Kenpo Karate, a formidable system of logical and practical self-defense. He Believed that Kenpo could "do much to deter juvenile delinquency" steering young people away from stealing, street fighting and other vices. Through studying Kenpo young people could gain self-confidence, and self-respect, as well as developing humility and self-restraint. Kenpo was presented as a self-defense system to combat unethical fighting methods prevalent on the streets. Through a series of anatomical illustrations drawn by Mr. Parker himself, natural body weapons and targets that could be struck with a devastating effect were identified. Mr. Parker's reasoning for including an anatomical study was simply, "That knowledge of our own points of weakness, as well as those of our opponent, can determine our own victory or defeat." It was clear that with a thorough knowledge of the location of the major nerve centers and critical areas, Kenpoists would be able to defend their own vital areas as well as deliver blows to vital points on an opponent. Vital areas, pressure points sensitive to various methods of attack, along with individual natural weapons were all clearly presented and illustrated on simple to read charts. It is interesting to note, that many of the self-defense techniques presented in this pioneering publication, show embryonic movement patterns that would establish the foundation for subsequent techniques that would be prefixed, suffixed, altered, adjusted, expanded and refined by Sr. Grandmaster Ed Parker Sr. over time.
About the Author: Edmund Kealoha Parker Sr. was born on March 19, 1931, in Honolulu, Hawaii. Growing up in the harsh Honolulu environment, young Ed had many opportunities to defend himself, his principles, and his honor. Ed attended Kamehameha High School, he excelled in sports, becoming an accomplished athlete. He became a judo black belt by the age of fifteen, as well as an amateur boxing champion. He competed in track and field, and became a member of the Junior Varsity Football Team. Ed was born and raised in a devout Mormon household. He graduated from Kamehameha High School served his country in the Coast Guard for three years. He worked hard to achieve his Black Belt Certificate from Professor William K. S. Chow June 5, 1953. During his high school and young adult years he dated Marguerite Leilani Bertelmann Yap. He graduated from Brigham Young University and married Marguerite Leilani Bertelmann Yap in December 28, 1954 in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake, Utah Temple. Edmund opened the first Karate Studio in Pasadena, California in 1956. Karate was unknown in California. Terry Robinson a close friend who owned a private health club in Beverly Hills, the Beverly Wilshire Health Club. Introduce Ed to many celebrities whom Ed taught, Bob Wagner, Natalie Word, Mac Donald Carey, Elkie Sommers, Blake Edwards, Frank Lovejoy, Audy Murphy, Nick Adams, Gary Cooper and Elvis Presley. Ed when meeting and becoming close friends with Bruce Lee introduced Bruce to the directors who eventually cast Bruce Lee in the TV show the Green Hornet. Ed appeared in many movies and television shows, including Revenge of the Pink Panther and The Curse of the Pink Panther. He also was on The Lucy Show where he taught Lucille Ball and Ethel Mertz. He was in The Courtship of Eddie's Father and I Spy. Ed taught many thousands all over the World. He frequently put on Seminars and Demonstrations in Australia, England, Ireland, Spain, Chile, Venezuela, Sweden, Holland and Greece. For many years Mr. Parker authored many books which still sell very well all over the World. Basic Booklet on Karate, Kenpo Karate Law of the Fist, The Women's Guide to Self Defense, Secrets of Chinese Karate, Infinite Insights into Kenpo 1-5 volumes, The Zen of Kenpo, The Encyclopedia of Kenpo, & Guide to the Nunchaku. Ed Parker's true Aloha spirit is truly missed all over the world. Please check out his website at: www.edparkersr.com