The History of Kosho-Ryu Kenpo

Try our No Risk
Free 3 Trial Classes

* Your privacy is very important, we’ll never share your information. We may email you about special offers and upcoming events. The next page will show you exclusive Kajukenbo offers and opportunities to get started.

What is Kosho Ryu Kenpo?

Many Kenpo teachers can trace their lineage back to Kosho–Ryu. James Mitose is a key figure in American Kenpo history.

James Mitose working out on the makiwara. It was to take on the evil within oneself and to knock it out, according to the Grandmaster. They were believed to be responsible for developing strong knuckles as well as a strong punch or kick.

All who knew James M. Mitose personally loved and respected him as the 21st Honorable Grandmaster. For some reason, he believed that instructors were not teaching Kenpo philosophy with Kenpo methods for some reason, ineptness. This philosophy has a beautiful underlying philosophy and can be incomplete if it is not taught as a whole with the physical aspects. James Mitose was born in Hawaii at the age of four. He was sent to Japan to learn family art. The family art had been Chuan Fa (Chinese) and Kenpo (Japanese), and was modified by Mitose Masters until it became Kosho-Ryu (old style of Kenpo). A complete system for self-defense (Kosho-Shorei) includes religion, training in the arts, and the actual self-defense techniques. After fifteen years of training, he returned to Hawaii and decided to share his family’s art with all races by opening a school. He found that he could cope with the rigorous requirements of the system. The system required students to learn basic fighting techniques and religious philosophies.

Only six students would receive the rank of Shodan (Black Belt) after fifteen years of teaching. Jiro Nagura, Thomas Young, William Chow (later Professor Will Chow from Kara Ho Kempo), Paul Yamaguchi, and Arthur Keawe. James Mitose, an active participant in the martial arts, retired in 1953. It is not known why Mitose stopped teaching. Even today, Mitose’s decision to stop teaching is not clear. James Mitose is believed to have seen that his students were unable, or unwilling, to live their lives within the Kosho-Ryu philosophies. There have been other rumors, but they have not been confirmed.
1950 Top row, left to right: William Chow and Paul Yamaguchi; Harry Pang; Woodrow McCandle Thomas Young; the Honorable Great Grand Master James M. Mitose; and Paul Pung.

Understanding the philosophy of James Mitose is essential to understanding his beliefs. What is the difference between “True Self-Defense”, and “Self-Defense?” True self-defense is not violence or contact with the opponent. When they know they can escape any harm, they should feel happy. A clear conscience that they have not hurt others is a key to building one’s mind and spirit. The real goal is to surround oneself with peace, confidence, and harmony. It is commonly believed that self-defense means that one must injure or even kill the person who is causing harm to them or their loved ones. True self-defense is essential for the mental and physical aspects. The human race is both spiritual and physical.

Is there a higher form of self-defense than peace and harmony?

March 27, 1981, was a sad day for Kosho – Ryu. While serving a sentence at Folsom State Penitentiary, the Honorable Great Grand Master James M. Mitose died. True, this humble and religious human being, who dedicated his life in martial arts, died in prison. Why was he imprisoned? It is shrouded with mystery and confusion. Depending on who you hear the story, it is difficult to believe what caused James Mitose’s confinement. According to the theory of the District Attorney, James Mitose should be imprisoned. To hear James Mitose’s side of the story and to get to know him would be a different feeling. We need justice. It is impossible to know the whole truth, and no one can prove or deduce it. From the time the 21st Grand Master retired until his death, he never opened a school. He did, however, teach selectively and tried to pass on the philosophies in the style of Kosho- Ryu.

1940 Honolulu (Hawaii) James M. Mitose is a father to a son. His first child would grow into a man surrounded by controversy, obstacles, and mystery. A typical child’s life is happy and prosperous. It was not to be. The Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and changed the lives of the Mitose families forever. Families are affected by war, and the Mitose family was not spared.

Father and son were separated. Thomas would not see his father until he was six years old. Unfortunately, he wouldn’t even know that it was his father. Thomas did not know that the Barro family had adopted Thomas through an arrangement made with the midwife who gave him birth. This was due to the hardships of the Mitose families. It was believed that Thomas would have a better life if he was adopted by a family who was not going through the same struggles as his family. Thomas could live comfortably and have the chance to succeed in his life. As a young boy, learned from a friend that he had been adopted. He couldn’t believe what he had heard so he went to his parents and sought the truth. Thomas was to meet his birth mom, who was separated with his birth father. After explaining the circumstances, Thomas was able to tell his birth mother who his birth father was. He had left the islands. After many years, Thomas Mitose became a young man who fled the islands to make his fortune.

Thomas settled in San Francisco and became interested in Kajukenbo. His instructor was Mr. Joe Halbuna. Thomas was twenty-two when a friend’s relative informed him that his true father lived in Los Angeles, California. Thomas would soon fly to meet his father, just a few hours later. His father’s reunion was described as a heartfelt and emotional reunion. Thomas, the 21st Great Master of Kosho Ryu Kenpo, was reunited with his father. Thomas eagerly absorbed all aspects of the family’s art, philosophies, and techniques that were passed down from generation to generation. He was always improving his skills and understanding the concepts that make this art one of today’s most important martial arts.

Father and son would once again be separated from this personal family matter. Father and son would not reunite until James Mitose was released from Folsom State Penitentiary. Thomas visited his father to discuss the future direction of Kosho-Ryu. James and Thomas would discuss the possibility of James coming out of retirement to open a school to teach Kosho-Ryu’s family art. Is it possible that James Mitose’s son has ever received certificates of rank for the knowledge his father gave him? Thomas brought this up to the Great Grandmaster. He smiled and replied, “You don’t need any certificates because I have my blood in me, my son.” Some instructors claim they know everything, but James Mitose disapproves. He stated that unless one is a Grandmaster’s bloodline, they will never be able to understand the martial art fully. Only the blood descendants can know all of the family art to have one-hundred percent.

Many people would believe that the most dedicated students would gain the love and trust of a grandmaster and all the knowledge about the art. Master from Japan and China believes otherwise. According to the legend, if a grandmaster taught all his art to a student, it could cause trouble for the Grandmaster. This could cause problems that were sometimes difficult to manage. It is said that outsiders are not taught all the martial art, and there would be no problems. Blood does not turn on the whole of life.

James Mitose encouraged his son to claim his family name in letters and conversations with his father. This was his way to right the wrongs he had done to him. So Thomas was legally able to regain his correct family name. He kept the Barro in his honor, in memory of his adoptive parents who raised him and gave him the chance to succeed in life.

“The Re-establishing of Kosho – Ryu Kenpo Organization”
Kenpo practitioners are not new to controversy. There have been disagreements between Grandmasters over the origins of Kenpo and the origins of the arts since the beginning of time. The 22nd Great Grandmaster, Kosho Ryu, would not be influenced by this. He was embroiled in controversy as various people with contact with his father emerged and claimed to be his father’s successor. His father, James M. Mitose, the Great Grandmaster of Kosho-Ryu, died. His son, Thomas B. Mitose, became the 22nd Great Master of Kosho Ryu. He was a continuation of the Mitose bloodline and charged with ensuring that the traditions, beliefs, and philosophies continue as they have in the past.

The 22nd Great Grandmaster would soon discover that his troubles were just beginning. The problems began to develop shortly after his father died. He was able to inherit the Kosho-Ryu system from his father, as it has been done in the Mitose families throughout history. He also became the head [IKSA], which was established to assist James Mitose in prison. The organization was experiencing difficulties due to the fact that other people claimed the style’s successorship. This led to unrest. James Mitose had many contacts and interactions with many people throughout his life. There are many certificates that can be issued for different reasons. Some claimed to be the Kosho-Ryu’s leaders. Thomas was under pressure from other martial artists to support his family’s art. As the hereditary head of the system, Thomas was responsible for preserving the traditions of his father.

The time was right to act. Grandmaster Mitose called for an event that would be the turning point in the history of the Kosho-Ryu organization. It was the beginning of reorganizing and strengthening the philosophies, aspects, and traditions of Kosho-Ryu Kenpo that were passed down from generation to generation.

This was done diplomatically, without challenging others’ integrity. The situation was complicated further by the fact that the majority of the individuals had contact with 21st Great Grandmaster. They were skilled martial artists and had incorporated a lot of their previous training in other forms of martial arts into their current teachings. The reestablishment and belief in Kosho-Ryu Kenpo as a complete martial arts system of ethical self defense that teaches humility respect for others’ rights and beliefs. With the ccoordination,development,and the spirit, one becomes proficient in Kenpo’s physical art. One should only use the techniques when there is imminent bodily harm. The Kosho Ryu Kenpo is growing internationally, passing down its philosophies through the Mitose family. It is also worth noting that the [IKSA] was reorganized and renamed the MIKKA. This is due to Kosho Ryu Kenpo’s recognition worldwide as an international organization.

If you live in San Diego County and are looking for authentic Kosho Ryu training, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. Grand Master Tony Bowles, is my teacher and ,he taught Kosho-Ryu under the Reverend James Mitose and Soke Thomas Mitose.
 

TEST COPY

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

 

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.


Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

Fill out the form below to

Get Your Spot Now!

HOME

ABOUT US

PROGRAMS