Is Kenpo spelled with an “n” or an “m”?
A. The short answer is: Kenpo is spelled with an N, but pronounced as an M, as in KeMpo. “Kenpo”, while spelled with an N, is pronounced Kempo (with an M); and either Kenpo or Kempo has become acceptable. The general rule for Japanese to English translation is, when N is followed by P, the N is pronounced M. There are some who claim the spelling was changed from Kenpo to Kempo by one master or another. This is true. Some instructors wanted to distinguish their style from Kenpo, and some changed from Kempo to Kenpo when they learned what the more acceptable spelling was. Often, however, Mitose’s students spelled Kenpo as Kempo, because that’s the way it sounded. A more in-depth answer will be posted soon. The long answer is so comprehensive, that it will need it’s own separate page.
