HISTORY OF JEET KUNE DO
What is Jeet Kune Do?
Jeet Kune Do is a modern form of
hybridized Gung Fu focusing on the methods of simple, direct, non-classical,
and non-telegraphic movements. The words “Jeet Kune Do” (截拳道; Mandarin: Jiéquendao) is of the Cantonese-Chinese dialect and roughly translates to The Way of the Intercepting Fist. Developed by Martial Arts legend Bruce Lee, it is the sum conclusion of Martial Arts stemming from his progressive practice and lifetime experiences. Comprised mainly of Wing Chun, Boxing, and Fencing, this Martial art seeks the most direct and economical means towards conflict resolution.
History
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| GM Ip Man & Bruce Lee |
The beginnings of this Martial Art takes place with its most
influential source; the Southern Chinese style of Wing Chun Gung Fu. This style
laid the foundation for much of the philosophy that Lee developed and taught in
his Martial Art. Lee began his formal Martial Arts training in this style after
being involved in several gang fights in his neighborhood, causing his family to
conclude that Martial Arts discipline would help his development. This training
began with Wing Chun Grandmaster Ip Man at the age of thirteen in Hong Kong,
China. Placing strong emphasis on the principles
of centerline, structure, and alignment, the style of Wing Chun began to form
the basis upon which Lee would conclude towards real combat effectiveness which
he later called Jeet Kune Do. Lee received private training with GM Ip Man and
the Wing Chun clan for a period of four years, before his departure to the
United States in 1959.
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| Lee training the double end bag |
In 1964 Lee dropped out of college and moved to Oakland Ca where he eventually founded the second Jun Fan Gung Fu Institute. It was here that Lee met adversity within the local Chinese community as they showed resentment to the fact that Lee was willing to teach non-Chinese. In an attempt to force Lee into compliance the community arranged a match in which if Lee lost, he would be forced to stop teaching non-Chinese or close his school. Lee won the fight, but to his displeasure not with the efficiency that he had envisioned for himself. The opponent constantly retreated and although he was able to finish the fight, Lee felt the altercation took longer than he was comfortable with. This led to Lee’s complete re-evaluation of his Martial Art in an attempt to make it more economical and more effective against other various styles. Lee turned to the study boxing greats like James Driscoll, Jack Dempsey and Muhammad Ali to understand its rhythm, practicality, and mechanics among many others things. It was during this time that Lee’s Martial Art progressed beyond the definitions of Wing Chun and he began to experiment with new techniques and ideas outside of his experience base.
Lee’s progression of his Martial Art continued further along with his move to Los Angeles CA in 1965. It was here that Lee opened his third and final Jun Fan Gung Fu Institution in the Chinatown district of LA. Lee continued his development with furthered inspiration from Western Fencing, finding commonalities among the Wing Chun and Fencing structure which allowed it to be a natural fit. Lee’s training regimen at this time placed a deeper focus on fitness and nutrition, taking the stance that Martial Artists spend far too much time development of skill and not and far too little on attributes. This progressive nature of Bruce Lee’s training resulted in an eclectic hybridization of Martial Art unique to Bruce Lee, which he aptly named Jeet Kune Do in 1967.
Lee’s progression of his Martial Art continued further along with his move to Los Angeles CA in 1965. It was here that Lee opened his third and final Jun Fan Gung Fu Institution in the Chinatown district of LA. Lee continued his development with furthered inspiration from Western Fencing, finding commonalities among the Wing Chun and Fencing structure which allowed it to be a natural fit. Lee’s training regimen at this time placed a deeper focus on fitness and nutrition, taking the stance that Martial Artists spend far too much time development of skill and not and far too little on attributes. This progressive nature of Bruce Lee’s training resulted in an eclectic hybridization of Martial Art unique to Bruce Lee, which he aptly named Jeet Kune Do in 1967.
