Mr. Parker's answer when asked about his first instructor and system

"What about your first instructor, what system did you go into in the beginning?"

"Well I studied, I studied Kenpo. But the man I studied with was an extremely interesting guy because although he had studied from his father and picked up knowledge and swapped it with other people, he came to the realization that much of what taught in the Orient, though it was very inclusive, wasn't yet rearranged to suit modern day context. So he found that there is a lot of changes needed in order to make it work in our present day environment. And it was because of him that I began to think this way from my early years. 

Now when I first started here in the United States and had a lot of traditionalist come in I was a rebel as far as they were concerned. But you know, it's, it's the guy that comes out in the end that really counts.

And being a street fighter myself I went along with this train of thought." - Mr. Parker

Mr. Conatser on the base techniques of Mr. Parker's system

(recently posted on Facebook by Mr. Conatser)

In the beginning...there was FGM Ed Parker's kenpo in which the Tracy's were taught up until they left.

As Doc (Dr. Ron Chapel) stated FGM Parker was constantly evolving the system.

Organized, the original 32 that morphed into the 24 technique syllabus in late '78 had no a, b, c, d's ... rather there were single techniques as a "base" , then as the more experienced students moved up they were encouraged to make up their own hypothetical variations. The Base remained the same as a BASE.

I came up with the term "variable expansion" to express this concept.

Also, it was encouraged to study a "comparative analysis" of all the BASE techniques, forms & sets.

Rather than spend a lifetime on 400+ techniques... FGM Parker wanted the students to expand and tailor their material to themselves without destroying the "BASE".

The alphabet we learned (a-z) in early schooling has remained the same for centuries yet every year new definitions, spellings or words created from the original 26. Same idea as American Kenpo.

Those that "truly knew and studied with him" more than a few months know that he never "deleted" things but filed them for possible future use or reference. Rather, he chose to "simply expand" his BASE with any new ideas, concepts or material.

Photos of Fusae Mitose

Some say James Mitose's kenpo was no good. That he was a con-man more than a martial artist.

His sister Fusae was also a black belt and taught, it would be interesting to know if she was better than her brother. 

A classic Gil Hibben Kenpo Karate knife for sale

Not sure of the availability, price, or details. It looks like you have to create an account to see more information, etc.

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/kenpo-karate-commemorative-knife-gil-1871857680