The Evolution Of Jeet Kune Do

After a long stay in Seattle, he and Linda moved to Oakland California. They lived in the home of James Lee, also another Gung Fu practitioner. He and James Lee grew to be very close. They worked out together extensively and further modified what was becoming JKD as we know it today. It was here that the second school of Jun Fan Gung Fu was to be in operation. The main focus was, again, reality, simplicity, and directness.

After some time in Oakland, Bruce's career as an actor was on an up swing. He relocated to Los Angeles. It was here that the phrase Jeet Kune Do was coined. He had modified his fighting method so drastically that it was no longer rooted in Wing Chun. Therefore it deserved a name of its own. Jeet Kune Do, or The Way of the Intercepting Fist, had become unique in its application. It bore no resemblance to any other form of martial arts. In China Town L.A. the third school was opened. This kwoon was, unlike the others in that it was a school of JKD and not Jun Fan Gung Fu.

Appointed as the main instructor was Dan Inosanto. Mr. Inosanto was chosen because of his previous teaching experience and his knowledge of the martial arts, as a black belt under Ed Parker. The majority of students of this school were also black belts in American Kenpo. Almost everyone had previous background in the martial arts.

In the final stages of JKD, up until his tragic death, Bruce defined JKD as containing elements from three different influences. Western Boxing, of which he was an avid fan, Wing Chun, and Fencing.

Much of his earlier training methods fell to the wayside as being seen to be unnecessary to the whole. Chi sao, and the forms of Wing Chun became things of the past. JKD stood alone as Bruce Lee's fighting method.

Bruce Lee received the majority of his early martial arts training in Hong Kong under a man named Yip Man. From Yip Man he learned a system of Gung Fu called Wing Chun. He studied this method for several years and became very proficient. Although he had exposure to other forms of Gung Fu, at this time he was primarily a Wing Chun practitioner. Upon his arrival to the United States in 1959, he settled in Seattle Washington. He continued to practice Wing Chun and began teaching classes to fellow students of the university in which he attended. Through these classes he met many people who would later become very significant in his life. One of them, and probably the most important, was Linda Emery, who later became Linda Lee, his wife. Without her support throughout his life he may not have become the man we know. His performance in public demonstrations and television appearances drew the attention of other martial artists in the surrounding area. He quickly made a name for himself due to his extensive knowledge of the martial arts at such a young age. At this time he was only 18 years old.

Even at this early stage of his martial arts career he denounced the "classical mess" created by traditional martial arts systems. He maintained a clear and conscious separation between reality and fantasy when it came to combat. Simplicity and directness became the frame work from which his fighting method developed. Bruce, being a philosopher as well as a martial artist made many statements such as the one above that related to his thoughts on JKD. It is unfortunate that many of his writings have been misinterpreted since his death. Some have so badly been misconstrued that the opposite meaning has been accepted as the truth. You should be able to adapt to the situation at hand. As an attack approaches, you are ready with the appropriate response. The opponents attack becomes your attack, as you fit into the opening created.

He states that JKD can "fit in with any style". This does not mean that JKD can be added to any style to make it more efficient, or vice versa. What it does mean is that JKD can counter an adversary regardless of their style or system. It fits in, filling the gaps left by their commitment to attack. JKD uses any means necessary to accomplish this task. If grabbed you may bite, scratch, or pull hair. If kicked you may kick back, punch, eye jab, or what ever best fits the situation. JKD is not limited to only punching, or only kicking. It is fighting with any ability you may have. JKD does not need to borrow or adapt techniques from other styles to achieve its means. Along with the philosophy, Bruce developed extremely effective ways of attacking, moving, and defending yourself. Without knowledge of his methods, the practice of true JKD is impossible. He spent his lifetime researching, through trial and error, the most efficient ways a human body can perform.