Great men of Kajukenbo

SIJO ADRIANO EMPERADO

June 16, 1926 – Apr 4, 2009. Sijo Adriano Emperado, founder of the KAJUKENBO Self-Defense Institute of Hawaii. Arguably known as the God Father of Mixed Martial Arts. Sijo Emperado was a master of Escrima, Jujitsu, Kara Ho Kenpo and Kosho Ryu Kenpo. In addition, he studied Okinawa Karate, Chinese Kung-Fu, Hawaiian Lua, American Boxing and Wrestling, as well as weapons such as the staff, club and knife. During World War II, Sijo Emperado was attached to the first Filipino Infantry Regiment as a Medical Corpsman, during which time he received numerous awards and citations for his military accomplishments. Sijo Emperado received majority of his Martial Arts training from Professor William K.S. Chow and James M. Mitosi. In 1947 Sijo Emperado was part of the “Black Belt Society” that developed the system currently known as KAJUKENBO. The title of Sijo was awarded to Sijo Emperado by Sijo Lum and Sijo Wong of the Chinese Physical Culture Society of Hawaii and Master Ho Gau of Hong Kong who represented Choi Li Fat Ga. Sijo Emperado was elected to the Black Belt Hall of Fame in 1991. Sijo Emperado was indeed an ambassador in regards to American Martial Arts.

Sijo, I was blessed to have known you. I thank you, for my promotion. I will always cherish the times that we have talked with one another. I will also say, if it was not for you, I would not be teaching the art of Kajukenbo. Thank you. Rest in Peace Sijo. You are love by many.

GRANDMASTER
CHARLES H. GAYLORD

September 4, 1936 – August 4, 2009. Great Grandmaster Gaylord has been actively training in the art of Kajukenbo for over 58 years. In 1980. He received his 9th degree Black Belt from the Kajukenbo founder, Sijo Adriano Emperado.

Grandmaster Gaylord began his training in Hawaii under Kajukenbo Black Belt George (Paul) Seronio. In the early 1960’s he moved to Northern California where he began teaching in San Leandro. He brought to the mainland the effective hard and heavy hitting style of Kajukenbo which he had learned from his instructor’s. Over the years, Great Grandmaster Gaylord has developed both his internal and external Martial Arts Skills, through practical application training, along with meditation and constant research of “mind over body” studies. His “Ki” or “Chi” demonstrations have been publicly displayed both inside and outside of Kajukenbo. The Kajukenbo Association of America (K.A.A.) calls it “Gaylord’s Method” of Kaujenbo. In September 1995, the K.A.A. and all of its Black Belts promoted Grandmaster Gaylord to the honorary rank of 10th degree Black Belt. The K.A.A. believes that this was necessary to ensure the desired level of excellence for their organization. Since then, Sijo Emperado has also recognized him as such. Great Grandmaster Gaylord has been recognized and inducted into three Martial Arts Hall of Fame. The World Martial Arts Hall of Fame, for “Grandmaster”. July 12th, 1997. Masters Martial Arts Hall of Fame, for “Life Time Achievement”. July 20th, 2000. The North American Martial Arts Hall of Fame, for “Sokeship”. September 16th, 2000. In 2006 Great Grandmaster Gaylord was bestowed the title of “Great Grandmaster” by the likes of Great Grandmaster Al Novak. Great Grandmaster Gaylord has produced countless quality Black Belts who have become top competitors and instructors both nationally and internationally. In 2009, Great Grandmaster Gaylord went to both Spain and Portugal to promote and welcome new school members into the K.A.A.. To ensure the quality of his instructors, Great Grandmaster Gaylord would hold monthly Black Belt Class, where he teaches over 60 Black Belts who have schools located in the Western United States. He also provided special seminars to those schools which cannot regularly train with him.

Great Grandmaster Gaylord was widely known for his straight forwardness and his toughness. He reminds me of that old song by Frank Sinatra “He did it his way”. Sir, I will always cherish the times that we had spent together. The times that I spent being your Uki during a few demonstrations. The music you shared, as you sing in the back ground and I will always, always remember how great of a cook you were, as well. Will miss you dearly. Rest in Peace Great Grandmaster Gaylord.

GRANDMASTER AL DACASCOS

Elected to the Black Belt Hall of Fame in 1977, he became the first American Kung Fu artist to reach the top ten fighting list in the early seventies, demonstrating that a Kung Fu practitioner could hold his own. From 1967 to 1975, he was a triple threat in competition: forms, weapons and fighting.

Grandmaster Dacascos is also known for designing the original KAJUKENBO Association Of America (KAA) patch that the KAA members use today. (Those under Grandmaster Gaylord added "Gaylord's Method" on the patch.) Grandmaster Dacascos has also enhanced his style of KAJUKENBO from a defensive system into an offensive system, called "Wun Hop Kuen Do" KAJUKENBO.

Grandmaster Dacascos has been on the cover of over 40 national and international Martial Arts magazines. He has developed many major champions including: Karen Shepard, Eric Lee, Bill Owens, Christian Wulf, Karyn Turner and his own son Mark Dacascos.

(To be noted):
Not to leave anyone out, or be misinterpreted, remember that there are many legends of Kajukenbo. There are numerous Grandmasters, Professors, Sigungs and Sifus, whom exude greatness, including the late, Senior Grandmaster Joseph Halbuna. With that said, these are a few whom have left a lasting impression on me, or you can even say, baptized me into Kajukenbo.

Kajukenbo Forever!!!

Sigung Jimmy Willis