The Kosho-Ryu is a family art that has been passed down through 21 generations of my ancestors. My father, James Mitose (also known as Kenposai Kosho), learned this art as a child and taught it in Hawaii during the 1930s and 1940s. It is the oldest family martial art that continues to be practiced to this day. 

Kosho-Ryu is actually just one component of the Kenpo arts, and it is the name we use for the physical techniques we teach for self-defense. It was first taught to people of all races when my father decided to open a self-defense school in Hawaii at the start of World War II. 

A second component of Kenpo, sometimes referred to as Kosho-Shorei Kenpo, contains the psychology and philosophy of Kenpo. In the broadest sense, it includes self-defense techniques that do not involve physical contact. In practice, however, we should always understand Kenpo as a whole and not just learn it as a sport or a fighting art. 

Until 1947, my father told his students they were studying Shorinji Kenpo. However, in 1947, when he wrote his first book, *What is Self-Defense? Kenpo Jiu Jitsu*, the art began to be known as Kenpo Jiu Jitsu. Finally, in 1953, when the book was published and began to be widely distributed, the name Kenpo became well-known, and this is how many refer to the art today. Technically, however, the true name of my art is Kosho-Ryu Kenpo. In Spanish, it means “Law of the Fist of the Old Pine Style” (Ko means Old, Sho means Pine, and Ryu means Style or School; Kenpo means Law of the Fist). 

Many people who do not study true and pure Kenpo or karate believe that Kenpo, the Law of the Fist, is merely a set of powerful fighting techniques. The true meaning of the “Law of the Fist,” however, is that the left hand (which symbolizes the spiritual side of people) must always cover the right fist (which symbolizes the physical side). This means that the most important lesson Kenpo teaches is that physical violence is not the solution to conflict. 

The name of the style is in memory of a Great Master Mitose who received a spiritual message from God while praying and meditating under an old pine tree. This descendant had converted to Buddhism and studied the teachings of Buddha and Japanese yoga (Japanese yoga is similar in appearance to Indian yoga but is different). This spiritual messenger from God taught the Great Master how to escape from attackers without suffering any harm, making bodily contact only when performing the arts of pushing and pulling. Since no human has the right to kill or harm another human being, one must go unarmed to demonstrate their pacifism to others.

True and pure Kenpo and Kosho Shorei Karate consist of Japanese yoga combined with self-defense exercises. These include “peace” and “escape” patterns that heavily utilize the jumping arts. 

The jumping arts predominantly use the muscles in the legs and are therefore very effective in increasing heart rate during execution. Since the heart specializes in pumping blood and giving life, regular aerobic exercise strengthens it. 

An additional benefit of such aerobic exercises is the development and strengthening of the capillaries surrounding the heart. This ensures satisfactory circulation in case the heart’s main blood pathways become blocked. Kosho Ryu exercises promote health through efficient aerobic routines. It also includes a nutrition system and techniques to increase and maintain body flexibility through stretching. 

Please believe in God, respect the law — especially do not use violence or break the law for any reason — and cooperate with law enforcement officers. Live in peace and be happy. 

Thank you!