| Even the best designed self defense system is of little value if the training and instruction is weak. The brutality of the kajukenbo workouts in the early years was legendary. Broken noses, bruised ribs, and black eyes were a everyday occurrence in the early kajukenbo schools. Professor Emperado had a motto, "The workout isn't over until I see blood on the floor".
His felt strongly that if someone was afraid of pain, they would be defeated the first time they were hit. He also felt that his students had to get used to pain and learn how to give it back. This enabled them to find out which techniques worked and which didn't. Because of these realistic workouts numerous martial artists from other systems undertook kajukenbo training.
Some stayed and some returned to their own systems, but all who had witnessed kajukenbo were impressed. Some of today's kajukenbo schools have had to alter their training somewhat due to the times. In the early days very few if any women or children trained. Also nobody worried about lawsuits or liability insurance.
In discussing modern day training Forbach explained that he still conducts full contact training, but the students are gradually eased into it, and it's not an absolute requirement. "I don't want to lose people, but yet, at the same time, I don't want to lose the essence of the art. I try to work a little bit slower than they did in the old days. I don't want anyone getting injured, but I want them to get as close as they can to reality in their training, without injuries. Of course we now use protective gear and contact to the face and vital areas has been eliminated".
When asked about the brutal reputation that kajukenbo has acquired over the years Forbach had this to say. "Kajukenbo is designed to defend against many types of attacks. I don't teach my students to be violent, but I also don't teach them to turn the other cheek. My students have the utmost respect for their fellow man, but they are prepared to protect themselves completely if the need arises. In other words, It's better to know how, and not have to; than to have to, and not know how." |
