Jeet Kune Do: Practice and Inheritance of Bruce Lee's Martial Arts Philosophy
introduction
Jeet Kune Do, created by the great martial artist, actor, and philosopher Bruce Lee, is a comprehensive martial arts system. It is not only a unique form of martial arts, but also a way of life philosophy and self-expression. This article will delve into the core concepts, technical characteristics, and status and influence of Jeet Kune Do in the modern martial arts world.
The core concept of Jeet Kune Do
The core concept of Jeet Kune Do is to use the impossible as the law and the infinite as the limited: this means that in martial arts practice, one should not be confined to fixed moves and techniques, but should flexibly respond according to the actual situation, and dissolve the opponent's attack invisibly. At the same time, we must constantly pursue progress, break through our own limitations, and reach the highest level of martial arts.
2. Authentic, direct, and effective: Bruce Lee believed that the true value of martial arts lies in actual combat. Therefore, Jeet Kune Do emphasizes practical effectiveness, striving to defeat opponents in the shortest possible time and in the most direct and effective way. This practical martial arts style is deeply loved by martial arts enthusiasts.
3 Freedom and self-expression: Bruce Lee emphasized the importance of personal freedom and self-expression in martial arts. He believes that everyone should develop their martial arts skills based on their personality and style, rather than blindly following traditional routines and rules. This spirit of freedom has inspired countless martial arts enthusiasts to innovate and explore.
Technical characteristics of Jeet Kune Do
1. Fast and Direct Attack: Jeet Kune Do emphasizes speed and suddenness, disrupting the opponent's rhythm through quick and direct attacks to gain an instant advantage. This type of attack can be either punching and kicking, wrestling, or ground combat.
2. Flexible and versatile footwork and body movements: Jeet Kune Do emphasizes body coordination and flexibility, responding to opponents' attacks through fast and varied footwork and body movements. This flexible body posture and footwork enable Jeet Kune Do practitioners to better adapt to various situations in actual combat.
3. Comprehensive training: Jeet Kune Do emphasizes comprehensive physical training. It includes strength training, endurance training, flexibility training, and coordination training. This comprehensive training method not only improves the physical fitness of warriors, but also enhances their adaptability and self-defense ability.
4 Defense and Counterattack: Jeet Kune Do emphasizes the combination of defense and counterattack. It teaches people how to identify and avoid attacks from opponents, and to use their weaknesses to counterattack. This tactical idea of defense and counterattack is very effective in actual combat.
The Status and Influence of Jeet Kune Do in the Modern Martial Arts World
Since Bruce Lee founded Jeet Kune Do, this martial arts system has had a profound impact on the global martial arts community. Many martial arts schools have borrowed the concepts and techniques of Jeet Kune Do to improve their own martial arts systems. The practicality and practical philosophy of Jeet Kune Do have deeply influenced the development direction of modern martial arts.
Growth process
Jeet Kune Do is a scientific street combat technique created by martial arts superstar and master Bruce Lee, which is unique in the international martial arts world.
In his early years, Bruce Lee systematically studied various traditional martial arts, fencing, boxing, and followed the renowned Wing Chun master Ip Man to systematically learn Wing Chun. After going to the United States, he studied the characteristics of each school through continuous combat practice and proposed the expansive boxing theory of "the impossible is the law, and the infinite is the limit". He was committed to seeking the foundation of martial arts combat and sought the core concept of simplified, direct, and non-traditional three element combat methods. In the later stage, he formed a combat technique with fixed forms and techniques, and his original book "Bruce Lee's Combat Methods" became a recognized mid-term Jeet Kune Do textbook.
After his death, it was spread and promoted by his former disciples Takeyuki Kimura, Inoshando, Huang Jinming, Li Kai, Bastiro, as well as domestic disciples of Jeet Kune Do such as Hao Gang, Zhu Jianhua, Chen Qiping, Jiang Chuanrong, Luo Yuhao, Shi Xuguang, Zhang Anbang, Gong Yuan, Zhang Mingyu, Zhang Xinchen, and others.
Bruce Lee was a great martial arts master, martial arts philosopher, martial arts revolutionary, creator of martial arts films, and renowned martial arts actor. He started from the actual combat, took Wing Chun as the technical foundation, thoroughly studied 26 international martial arts essence, including karate, boxing, Thai boxing, Philippine boxing, jujitsu, fencing, etc., absorbed the essence of Chinese and Western philosophy and Chinese traditional kungfu thought, and introduced martial arts into philosophy, creating kungfu with unique and active ideas. In 1967, he officially established the title of "Jeet Kune Do", and made it public through a series of media. The main idea of Jeet Kune Do is to use the impossible as the law and the infinite as the finite, guiding people towards the path of self liberation and freedom. In the later stage of teaching his backyard disciples Huang Jinming and others, he strengthened the methods of practice and teaching, gradually forming unique practical skills.
Bruce Lee began his famous article titled "Liberate from Traditional Karate" published in the September 1971 issue of Black Belt magazine with this sentence. Today, when we bring up this issue again, let's first listen to a reminiscence from the famous disciple of Bruce Lee, Iru Shandu, during his "Zhenfan Kung Fu" period.
This is a conversation that Master Irushanto had with me during my study and further education at Dan Irushanto's "Zhenfan Kickboxing" advanced coaching class. One day in early 1967, Bruce Lee and I were driving together on a journey, discussing Western fencing while driving. Xiaolong said that the most profound technique in Western swordsmanship is its "stop hit" (meaning "defense counterattack"). A successful 'counterattack' means that when the opponent attacks you, you not only need to protect themselves, but also counterattack while intercepting their sword moves. Defense and counterattack are synchronized, and you can strike while the iron is hot. This way, your combat 'efficiency' will be greatly improved. Then Xiaolong said, "We should call our martial arts method the 'way of blocking' or the 'way of intercepting punches'." I asked, "So what is the Chinese name for this title?" "Its title will be - the way of intercepting punches," Xiaolong replied, "The meaning of the' way of intercepting punches' is the 'way of blocking the opponent's punches' or the' way of intercepting the opponent's punches. 'Therefore, our method is to combine the defense (blocking) and counter attack dividend two-step approach in the general style of play, and carry out defense and counter attack together, seizing the opportunity to strike iron. Of course, we cannot achieve this in any situation, but no matter what, defense and counter attack should be combined. The main theme of the new martial arts we will teach is to strike while the iron is hot." 2. The title of Jeet Kune Do is "Jeet Kune Do" In summary, when interpreted literally, "intercept" means "intercept", "block", and "defend", "fist" means "kick", "attack", and "counterattack", and "dao" means "method". But Bruce Lee further explained that "Jeet Kune Do" is just a title, and its name is purely accidental, also for the convenience of naming. In fact, it is impossible to fully understand Jeet Kune Do solely based on its literal title; Although Bruce Lee initiated the principle of formless and simple Jeet Kune Do, he still developed a complete and systematic training curriculum for his disciples to practice. Is this contradictory? The answer is negative. In ancient China, Taoism was famous for its principle of "obeying its beauty". The training curriculum developed by Bruce Lee is like this, where everything follows its beauty endlessly.
Title Origin
Jeet Kune Do: Cut off the opponent's attack and consider it as defense; Fist: Automatic punching is considered an attack. Dao: It is the primary philosophical theory and source of thought and action of Laozi. The Dao here is primarily derived from the ancient sage Laozi's thought. The biggest advantage of Jeet Kune Do is its ability to defend, counterattack, defend, and attack with the shortest interval between punches and the fastest time possible. Founded by Bruce Lee in Hong Kong in April 1962, it began to be introduced to mainland China in the 1990s with the introduction of films featuring Bruce Lee.
In April 1962, Bruce Lee was a sophomore at the University of Washington in Seattle, USA, and rented a corner of the campus parking lot where he hung a sign reading "Zhenfan Guoshu Hall". He practiced while teaching, and his skills greatly improved; His kung fu during this period can be regarded as Bruce Lee's version of Wing Chun, which looks no different from Wing Chun in appearance, but with a large number of mid to high level kicking techniques, Bruce Lee referred to this kung fu system as the "Zhenfan Guoshu" at that time, which can be seen as the prototype of Jeet Kune Do. In 1967, Bruce Lee officially established his martial arts philosophy as "Jeet Kune Do".
On January 10, 1996, in Seattle, Washington, USA, the "Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do" (abbreviated as "Zhen Dao") was formed by Bruce Lee's widow Linda, daughter Li Xiangning, 13 direct disciples of Bruce Lee, and 5 second-generation disciples.
concept
Jeet Kune Do can complement the opponent's weaknesses in using moves and defend against counterattacks. Jeet Kune Do is an ever-changing martial arts technique that must tightly grasp the loopholes and shortcomings of the opponent's moves, and form a combination of attack and counterattack techniques to seize the attack, prevent attacks, and counterattack attacks. When the enemy attacks, we attack; when the enemy moves, we move, with the intention of saving and shortening the interval between attacks.
Bruce Lee's master said that his Jeet Kune Do had no style or technique, why is that? Because Bruce Lee opposed factional divisions, he did not trust the martial arts world. Bruce Lee once said, "I no longer trust the martial arts world because I do not believe in Chinese or Japanese martial arts, as well as karate and judo. If there were such martial arts world, people would need four arms and three feet to have a world of difference in kung fu skills. But in fact, we only need two feet and two hands.
As Bruce Lee said, opposing the creation of Jeet Kune Do based on factional divisions is not so much a form of martial arts as a philosophy, a way of thinking, and an elevation of the soul. Jeet Kune Do represents the fusion of all these martial arts and the unification of all methods!
The sect has created a barrier for us, which disperses all forces---- Bruce Lee
The so-called complementary connection is similar to the complementary connection of acute angles, flat angles, and obtuse angles in a triangle, treating the horizon as a flat angle. The opponent uses sharp angles, or when the opponent poses an attack with a sharp angle, our side poses an attack with an obtuse angle to protect them, with the intention of compensating for the opponent's shortcomings and deficiencies and counterattacking; The opponent uses an obtuse angle, or when the opponent poses an obtuse angle to attack, our side poses an acute angle to protect them, with the intention of compensating for the opponent's shortcomings and deficiencies and counterattacking. For example, if the opponent poses with fists and attempts to attack our upper part, the opponent's lower body becomes a defensive weakness; We can squat down with horse steps, block the opponent's footsteps with our feet, and directly attack the opponent's lower body, and then counterattack the opponent; Similarly, if the opponent poses with their feet and attempts to attack our lower body, the upper part of the opponent becomes a defensive weakness. Our side can withdraw their feet, lean forward, and use a direct punch to strike the opponent's head and upper body, and then counterattack the opponent; Similarly, in one-on-one one-on-one combat, if the opponent attacks our side with the right side (referring to the opponent using their right fist and right foot) in front and the left side behind, our side will also place the right side (referring to our opponent using our right fist and right foot to counterattack) in front and move forward with horse steps, occupying a favorable position with our right foot steps, and using the simplest way to block the opponent's strongest side (that is, the right foot in front and the left foot behind, then move forward with horse steps, move forward with the tip of our right foot, make a complementary posture, and suddenly step on the opponent's right foot tip), but we cannot enter the range of the opponent's right foot attack, otherwise we may be kicked in the crotch by the opponent. We just need to step on the opponent's right foot, and then we can immediately cancel the horse step and start straight. We will concentrate our weight on the tip of our right foot, suppress the opponent's strongest right foot, quickly lean forward and punch the opponent's face with our right hand, and fiercely counterattack the opponent's face. At this point, firstly, because the opponent's center of gravity is suppressed by our side, and secondly, because it takes at least one second to pull back his foot after the opponent's center of gravity is suppressed. At this point, the opponent has not had time to pull back his right foot, and he is knocked down by a quick punch that hits the face in less than a second. This is the simplest defensive counterattack; On the other hand, if our side steps on the opponent's right foot tip with the right foot of the horse step, causing the opponent to lose control and automatically retract their foot, I can immediately retract my front foot and quickly sweep my leg to hook down the opponent who is currently in a state of unstable center of gravity. After the opponent lifts their head and falls to the ground, the remaining work is easy to do. These are aimed at opponents who love to automatically invade others, expressing their true selves.
In general, when encountering an opponent who likes to pose and does not automatically attack, complementarity is also very effective. Once we encounter an opponent who poses without automatically attacking, what we need to do is to maintain a certain distance from the opponent and quickly form a complementary posture with them. When the opponent's expression is immediately distracted and they are at a loss, we will immediately deliver a fatal blow to them. In summary, my convenience is the complement of the other half of the space that my opponent lacks, and it is the complement of the other half of the space that is opposite and complementary to him. It can provide both protection and defense for the entire space, as well as counterattack for the entire space. Overall, the ultimate intention is to integrate this invading system into a complete 180 ° flat angle and intact space. Our posture also played a defensive counterattack effect, which is called Jeet Kune Do.
Kung Fu Flexibility
All movements should be as flexible as possible. Bruce Lee often used water to describe the flexibility that kung fu should achieve; Water has infinite flexibility, it is transparent and can see through, but sometimes it can also obscure the field of view; Water can split into two parts, bypassing things and merging into one on the other side; The water is gentle, but also strong, capable of pulling down mountains and trees. Let your thoughts be unbound like water, and the enormous changes in your moves can be inspired in the water.
The intention of practicing kung fu is not to aim at breaking stones or wooden boards, but rather to use it to influence our entire thoughts and way of life.
If common sense follows the traditional way, you can only survive in the shadow of tradition, only understanding the old path, and you do not understand yourself.
No need for the police to fight back directly
Bruce Lee believed that a quick and sudden invasion was the best. To prevent any warning to the opponent, such as moving the body, it is perfect for the opponent to only realize your attack when the punch hits their face.
Name Explanation
Jie Quan Dao, "Jie" is protection, "Quan" is invasion, and "Dao" is the path and style. The brief explanation is the "way of invasion and protection", which is also the method to deal with enemy invasion. Because facing an enemy, Jeet Kune Do abandons any fancy and impractical techniques and is a true form of martial arts. The character "dao" in Jeet Kune Do not only represents a type of kung fu style, but also includes the energy cultivation techniques hidden in "karate", "taekwondo" and other related fields.
Fist is not just a method of disability, but a broad path towards the pursuit of the true essence of life.
At the same time as learning skills, it is also important to increase one's intelligence and learn and understand the philosophy of Zen and Jeet Kune Do
As is well known, Bruce Lee studied philosophy in college, and he integrated philosophy into kung fu, just like the "integration of boxing and Zen" in Shaolin Temple. In fact, it can be observed from the Cantonese pronunciation of "Jeet Kune Do". The pronunciation of 'Zhe' in Cantonese is the same as' Jie ', and Bruce Lee himself was from Guangdong. From the title of "Jeet Kune Do", it also reflects the important skill concept of this practical combat kung fu - interception, which is to intercept when the opponent is about to attack (move) but has not yet left. This is also what Chinese military experts have said:
The meaning of 'crossing the river without relief, hitting its middle stream' is also true!
Jeet Kune Do (JKD), a combat technique created by Bruce Lee's master, is a unique and internationally renowned technique in the world of martial arts. As a great practical fighter, martial arts philosopher, pioneer of international martial arts reform, and international film and television superstar in China, Bruce Lee has collected 26 essence of international martial arts, including Wing Chun, Tai Chi, Thai Boxing, karate, judo, taekwondo, Philippine Kung Fu, and French boxing. In 1966, he created a modern martial art of omnipotence and irregular fighting: JEET KUNE DO (the way of self shaping): Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do (the way of self shaping), which is a self shaping practical martial art that most international Kung Fu lovers are keen to learn, is a self shaping practical martial art. Practicing Jeet Kune Do is actually to know oneself Complete yourself and express yourself faithfully! We should feel fortunate to become practitioners of Jeet Kune Do. Through the practice and practice of Jeet Kune Do, we can all achieve comprehensive shaping and cultivation of our body, mind, and skills. In fact, even if you don't practice Jeet Kune Do, you can still gain your own life enlightenment from the philosophical principles of Jeet Kune Do and the life struggles of its founder Bruce Lee, which will have a great motivating and promoting effect on your life goals and ideals.
purpose
The kung fu system created and developed by Bruce Lee can be called Zhen Fan Jie Quan Dao (abbreviated as "Zhen Dao"). This is because the kung fu system and martial arts taught by Bruce Lee can be roughly divided into two stages: the Zhenfan kung fu stage from 1959 to 1967 and the Jeet Kune Do stage from 1967 to the present. It is not as some Jeet Kune Do books published in Hong Kong and Taiwan claim that Bruce Lee named the martial arts he learned and passed down as Jeet Kune Do when he came to Seattle in 1959 to prepare for university and opened his first Zhenfan martial arts studio. In fact, it was not until he moved to Los Angeles in 1966 and starred in the Hollywood TV series "The Green Hornet" that Bruce Lee continued to improve his martial arts system as Zhenfan Kung Fu, while Jeet Kune Do was founded in 1964, mainly due to a real-life competition between Bruce Lee and San Francisco kung fu master Huang Zewen. After the establishment of Jeet Kune Do, Bruce Lee did not immediately make this title public, but still taught it to his disciples as an extension and development of Zhenfan Kung Fu. Until 1967, Bruce Lee believed that as an independent martial arts system, the skill structure and philosophical connotations of Jeet Kune Do had become more sophisticated, and only then officially revealed the title of Jeet Kune Do to his disciples and the outside world. Due to Bruce Lee's fame, Jeet Kune Do, as a mid to early stage martial arts technique that included Lee Yong pi's skills, was taught diligently by Dan Irushanto, the third assistant to Bruce Lee and a disciple of Jeet Kune Do at the Irushanto Martial Arts Academy in Southern California. He was dedicated to teaching the later extension and development of Jeet Kune Do, as well as the renowned Jeet Kune Do. In January 1996, in order to comprehensively promote and promote Bruce Lee's martial arts art, Bruce Lee's wife Linda, "Dragon Girl" Li Xiangning, and 13 of the most outstanding original disciples of Bruce Lee, including Takeshi Kimura, Taro Ito, Huang Jinming, Li Kai, Alan Joe, and Richard Bastiro, gathered in Seattle to establish the prestigious organization "Zhenfan Jeet Kune Do Core" for the dissemination and management of Bruce Lee's martial arts art. Upon the proposal of Bruce Lee's beloved daughter Li Xiangning, the real Bruce Lee martial arts art was named Zhenfan Jeet Kune Do to show respect for the founder Li Zhenfan and to distinguish it from the so-called Jeet Kune Do taught by many self proclaimed Jeet Kune Do martial arts schools around the world. In summary, trusted readers have now understood the meaning behind the title of this article being written as "Zhenfan Jiequan Dao" rather than "Jiequan Dao".
Root Core
The highest theme and philosophical core of Jeet Kune Do is to oppose any fixed way and emphasize the "formless form" and "formless form". Abandoning the traditional kung fu style of routines. We know that in many martial arts, there are "boxing sets", which refer to fixed routines such as combination punches. In actual combat, emphasis is placed on "pragmatism" and "no way", relying on natural feelings to fight. Bruce Lee often used water as an analogy in his teaching to illustrate the above philosophy: "It seems that water is the same, there should be no way. Pouring water into a cup becomes part of the cup, and pouring water into a bottle becomes part of the bottle. Kicking it and hitting it will cause it to splash back. If you want to grab a handful of water, the water will submit without hesitation. If you add pressure, the water will slip away. The softest thing is not afraid of hitting." "The effectiveness of combat is not the correct way, it is in line with the traditional way of ancient and modern times. Winning is the effectiveness..." "Combat is just an art of striving to knock down the opponent in actual combat. You can respond to the opponent's situation as you see. You may not know my intentions, but my actions are the result of your actions, and my skills are the result of your skills. There is no fixed way or method for combat, it relies solely on perception and changes to steer the course From this, it can be seen that the highest theme and philosophical core of Jeet Kune Do, which regards the impossible as the law and the infinite as the finite, fully embodies the strong power of free energy. Jeet Kune Do regards infinity as finite and the impossible as the law.