Greene Co Martial Arts Institute

History and origin of Shorin Te Kenpo

 

Shorin Te Kenpo is a blended system comprised of Shorin-Ji Ryu Seikukan Karate and American Kenpo. The two systems are taught separate from one another, but the whole of Shorin Te Kenpo is comprised of both systems.

Shorin=Shaolin   Te=Hand   Kenpo=Fist Law

The name pays homage to the Okinawan and Chinese roots of both systems, while establishing itself as a new entity.

In October of 2017 Master Greg Burcham was put in a unique situation, as the system he had been part of for almost 30 years, took a path he was not comfortable supporting. Master Burcham met with several of his black belts and students and explained to them that he was stepping away from their current organization. During the discussion many others expressed their dissatisfaction with direction and leadership of the organization. At that time it became a unanimous decision to break from their current situation and form a new organization, under new direction and with a new vision. Master Burcham, Master Jason Sisk, Master Dirk Hollingsworth, Instructor Dusty Jerrell, Instructor Leigh-Anne Neff and Instructor Tylor Scott then began the long, tedious task of restructuring, organizing, renaming and building a new organization.

It was decided that they would return to their original roots in Shorin-Ji Ryu Seikukan Karate, as taught by Grand Master Terumasa Ogawa. While this would give them a base to build off of, they all felt as though they needed more. They wanted to provide their students with a well-rounded program and system. It was then that Master Sisk and Master Hollingsworth approached Master Burcham about re-introducing American Kenpo, as taught by the late Senior Grand Master Ed Parker, back into the system. Both Master Sisk and Master Hollingsworth had taken Kenpo lessons from Master Burcham several years earlier, and both felt that the principles and flow of Kenpo would be the perfect complement to the Seikukan style. The dilemma then became what to call the style they would be teaching. Master Burchan did not want to misrepresent what they were doing, so it was decided that the two systems would be taught separate from one another but inclusively be called Shorin Te Kenpo. Over the next few months Master Burcham began working on a student handbook, so the students would have a guideline and a standard to follow. While working on the handbook the instructors began extensive training to standardize the system and prepare themselves for the transition into Shorin Te Kenpo. With the student handbook finished, and the instructors working tirelessly on the details of the upcoming change, Master Burcham began the task of securing approval and support from those he most respected. In December of 2017 the Shorin Te Kenpo Union was formed as the governing body of all students and practitioners of Shorin Te Kenpo. During the first Board of Directors meeting of the S.T.K.U. a unanimous vote was taken to Make Master Edward Daniels the Grand Master of the Shorin Te Kenpo System. Master Daniels is a 40 year practitioner of Goju Kempo, Ketsugo Ryu JuJitsu and many other arts, as well as being Master Burchams personal Instructor. A ceremony was held and Master Daniels was made Grand Master Daniels by the BOD of the S.T.K.U. and consent of Master Daniels senior students. This established a proper lineage for Shorin Te Kenpo students, and allowed Master Burcham to continue studying and learning under his mentor.

Master Burcham and his black belts did not start a new style or create anything new, they simply took two arts that they loved and combined them in a way that they felt was beneficial for the growth and development of their students. Master Burcham continues to study Shorin-Ji Ryu Seikukan Karate under Hanshi Marty Walters and follows the Ohana Kenpo Karate Associations American Kenpo Requirements, under the direction of Senior Professor Richard Hale. He also continues to train and study Under Grand Master Ed Daniels in Salem, IL.