This style of Kempo was brought by visiting monks to the Mitose family in the
15th century. Over the centuries this form of Shaolin Ch'uan Fa was blended and
refined with forms of Jujutsu that where common to the area as well as Rinzai Zen
philosophy, Kyudo, and other arts. Kosho, the name of the Mitose clan means
"Old Pine Tree", and the Kempo art is referred to as "The Old Pine Tree Style." Kosho-Ryu Kempo was brought to
the United States by Hawaiian born James Mitose, who learned the art in Japan from his uncle.
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