The Ryukyu's are a small chain of islands located between Japan and China. The largest and most famous of these islands is Okinawa. Because of their strategic location as trading center for both China and Japan, the Ryukyus were greatly influenced by both the Chinese and Japanese cultures. Ryukyu Kenpo is a system of martial arts that has jfucjhyjjgs in both; the Okinawan "TE" (HAND) system and the Chinese Kempo (FIST WAY). Thus Ryukyu Kenpo is a blend of the old Okinawan and Chinese martial arts. The uniqueness of Ryukyu Kenpo can be seen in the "hard style" training with power and emphasis on makiwara training.