Kiai is an attack on the sensory system of the enemy. The lightning hands of Kempo are a decidedly aggressive, unrelenting assault.
Power of Kiai
When voice and brawn are together, this concert is a powerful weapon. Use the Kiai before forceful contact; it acts as a sensory battering ram, weakening the enemy’s mental defenses. When used upon contact, the exhalation of breath lends strength (and force) to the instrument of attack—usually the fist.
Hand Speed of Kempo
The combined power of the Kiai and flurry of strikes overpower the enemy. The unrelenting assault on the defenses of an enemy is a typical Kempo tactic.
For example, “Seven Hands” has an excessive amount of strikes. It has two sets of three open-hand strikes (Shuto, Reverse Shuto, and Palm Heel) followed by a Spear Hand. In most situations, two or three strikes are enough to disable or discourage the enemy.
This idea is in “Seven Swords,” which has several knife-hand and fist strikes linked together in a barrage of percussive contact.
An Unrelenting Assault
One can use a variety of targeting tactics. First, you can use the Galloping Horse, which advocates striking the same area repeatedly. Secondly, you can assault each new tactical-opening as they become available. When you use this tactic, each assault must create or lead to an opening in the defenses. Finally, you can attack the defenses—starting with the hands—and work your way to the vitals.
Unlike Karate-Do’s theory of One Strike, Kempo’s theory is Many Strikes. Why focus on hitting the opponent once with a devastating blow when it is more likely to strike an opponent many times. Putting all your eggs in one basket is risky. You may miss the one strike. On the other hand, the odds are in your favor to hit at least once in a sea strikes. Perhaps, you can even get additional bonus strikes to land.
Lightning Hands of Silat
Our concept of Lightning Hands comes from Thunderbolt William Chow, the Grandmaster of Kenpo, but it also comes from Indonesian Silat. There is a practice called Lightning Hands (aka Kilap), a two-person drill very similar to Hubud-lubud of Arnis. These are flow drills designed to develop reaction time, muscle memory, and hand-eye coordination. We practice several Kilap exercises in our San Diego martial arts school.
Kempo Karate is a violent and deadly art. You keep playing the aggressor until you’ve won. The opponent should be unconscious, surrender, or come-along. An incapacitated enemy is the only sign of victory.
