Universal Kempo Karate: A Beginner’s Guide for Japanese Karate Practitioners
What Is Universal Kempo Karate?
Universal Kempo Karate is a hybrid martial arts system that blends Chinese kempo techniques with Japanese karate principles, while incorporating elements of judo, jujitsu, grappling, boxing, and weapons training. Founded in 1981 by Martin Thomas Buell, the Universal Kempo Karate Schools Association is headquartered in Aiea, Hawaii, and operates branches across the United States, as well as in Barbados and other countries. The system emphasizes practical self-defense over competition, making it distinctly different from the traditional Japanese karate many practitioners learn.
The History and Founder
Martin Thomas Buell began his martial arts training in 1953 and studied kenpo at the Central YMCA in Honolulu in 1956. A year later, he began training in the Kajukenbo system under Adriano Emperado, earning his black belt in 1966. Buell founded the Universal Kempo-Karate Schools Association in 1981 with the goal of creating a comprehensive system that combined the realistic aspects of multiple martial arts traditions.
By 1982, Buell was awarded the rank of Professor, 10th Degree, by the organization’s board of directors. His students established the system across multiple states, making it one of the more geographically distributed American martial arts organizations.
How Kempo Differs from Japanese Karate
If you have Japanese karate experience, you’ll notice several significant differences in Universal Kempo training. The most obvious is the inclusion of grappling and joint locks, which are rarely emphasized in traditional Japanese karate. Where Japanese karate focuses on powerful, linear strikes from stable stances, kempo encourages fluid, adaptive movements that transition smoothly between techniques.
Kempo also incorporates throws, takedowns, and ground work—skills drawn from judo and jujitsu. The stance work in kempo is generally less rigid and more dynamic. Movement emphasizes economy of motion and practical application rather than form perfection. The philosophical difference is significant too: kempo is explicitly street-focused and oriented toward real-world threats, whereas Japanese karate often prioritizes sporting competition and kata mastery.
The Training Philosophy: Escape, Control, Destroy
Universal Kempo Karate uses a framework called “Escape, Control, and Destroy” to guide its self-defense training. This escalation-of-force model teaches students to first attempt escape from a threat, then use control techniques (like joint locks or takedowns) if escape isn’t possible, and only resort to more aggressive techniques as a last resort. This methodology reflects the system’s emphasis on practical decision-making under pressure.
The curriculum also emphasizes the Black Belt Principles of courage, integrity, and indomitable spirit. Character education and mental discipline are woven throughout the training, not treated as add-ons.
What the Curriculum Includes
Training in Universal Kempo is age-specific and covers self-defense, physical fitness, and character development. Students work through structured drills, sparring, and forms while learning practical responses to common threats.
- Strikes and kicks (punches, knees, elbows, kicks)
- Blocks and defensive techniques
- Grappling and joint locks
- Throws and takedowns
- Defense against grabs and holds
- Multiple-attacker scenarios
- Weapon threat awareness and response
- Verbal de-escalation and situational awareness
The system draws from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, and Kali in its comprehensive approach. Students sharpen skills through live drilling and controlled sparring, not just repetition of forms.
Transitioning from Japanese Karate to Universal Kempo
Your Japanese karate foundation is valuable but will need adjustment. Your striking fundamentals—punches, kicks, and body mechanics—transfer directly. The mental discipline and belt progression are familiar.
Expect to spend time learning grappling from the ground up, even though many kempo schools teach it early. Your rigid stance work may initially feel like a handicap, but kempo’s looser stances are designed for the fluid transitions the system requires. Give yourself permission to move differently. Classes vary by location and instructor, so try an introductory session to see how the specific school near you approaches the material. Some branches emphasize grappling more heavily, others balance striking and grappling equally.