JAMES MISTOSE GRANDMASTER OF KENPO

JAMES MITOSE was a fascinating and most controversial person who,in Hawaii where he was born according to all records, began teaching a system which has become known as KENPO and also as KEMPO with avarious appended names, such as KENPO-KARATE, KENPO-JIU-JITSU,etc. He wrote a book that has been disssected and analyzed by various groups in an effort to locate and understand the origins of his 'family' system that he claimed to have learned, studied, and been taught in Japan at a 'family shrine'. His life showed both a 'light' side and a 'dark' side and descriptions of this abound and, as might be expected, divided practitioners and scholars into two camps with very few finding themselves in the middle. Contradictions in his 'spiritual' life, his 'marital life', his 'professional' life, and his 'martial' life exist that cannot be easily brushed aside by any group seeking to study his system as it is or to trace the origins of his system or style. The practical aspects of KENPO/KEMPO are not in much dispute, that is, the actual techniques for practice, study, and self-defense and other related aspects but while this is the case, the man himself remains elusive and controversial, largely due to the fact he died in Folsom Prison, as he was convicted of murder, conspiracy, and extortion. The records exist but take much time and money to access on this trial and conviction. Though he remains an enigma to most who try to trace the origins of Kenpo and his term of the art as KOSHO KENPO, some things can be surmised about him from various descriptions if not from his book and students,etc. many of whom are now passed away.