Concept Jeet Kune Do Jan 19, 2015 | Posted by | , , |

Concept Jeet Kune Do (CJKD) is a hybrid martial arts philosophy, popularized by . [3] Concept Jeet Kune Do represents a universal approach to the martial arts, incorporating elements of , , and Gun-Fighting, from a wide variety of Martial Styles, including , , Bujinkan Ninjutsu, Fencing, , , Karate, Karate-Do (Kushido), , , Kung Fu, , etc. Martial Schools Martial Ryu (Japanese for “schools”) generally fall into two distinct categories, namely the Historical “Koryū” (Japanese for “old school” [1]) and the Contemporary “Gendai budō” (Japanese for “modern martial way” [3]):- Forms taught by Historical Schools “are considered to be living, breathing historical treasures and must be preserved as faithfully and precisely as possible” [2]. Students of these schools are expected to not “change or expand upon their original curriculum” [2]. While many of their techniques are considered obsolete (even by practitioners), they are preserved nonetheless. Amongst these we find the Sorato RyuKenjutsu *, etc. Forms taught by Contemporary Schools are, more often than not, considered to be somewhat superior to the historical – being more “relevant” and “scientific”. Students of these schools are, likewise expected to preserve and perpetuate their current curriculum. These styles include Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Isshin-Ryu [16|17], [15], Shinkendo [2] and Sorato Ryu Kenjutsu *. Techniques taught by Philosophical Schools, while drawn from both “Koryū” and “Gendai budō”, offers only a core curriculum, constantly refined, and transferred as a progressive process, rather than a distinct form. These include what has become known as Concept Jeet Kune Do and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) schools. Historical Precedents Contrary to popular belief, ‘s Concept Jeet Kune Do (the culmination of a lifetime “researching various fighting styles” [7]) is NOT unique to Lee. The “concept” or “process” of martial development, scholarship and hoplology is as old as the arts themselves. Warring StatesPeriod (490-221 BC) “Around the time of the Warring States Period (490-221 BC) … the Chinese countryside was rife with gangs of bandits and outlaws. Merchants enticed by large profits from interstate trade would have employed bodyguards to protect themselves and their wares. The small scale close combat encountered by such bodyguards would have suited a career martial artist perfectly. The itinerant life of such bodyguards would have brought them into contact with others in the same profession from all over the country, allowing for a constant interchange of martial ideas and techniques.” – Andrew Nerlich [12] Numerological Evidence It’s been noted that when studying kata and its relation to Kyoshojutsu one quickly discovers a fascination for numerology. Many traditional kata are named after numbers. We have “Gojushiho” meaning “54 Steps”, “Nijushiho” meaning “24 Steps”, “Seipai” meaning “18 Hands”, and “Senseryu” meaning “36 Hands”. While many considered this a Chinese phenomenon, itmay actually have been imported from India. [8] While they are not the only numbers associated with the various fighting traditions, some of the more prominent ones include 18, 36, 54, 72 and 108. These numbers can be seen in Indian, Chinese and Japanese martial arts literature [8|9|10|11] and within the names of kata. Contemporary Examples It was Lee who first popularized this martial philosophy as “Jeet Kune Do”. [3|5] Not wanting to create another style that would share the limitations that all styles have, he instead aimed at giving us “the process that created it” [4]. The focus of JKD being simplicity [4|5], “practicality, flexibility, speed, and efficiency” [6], as Lee himself wrote: “I have not invented a ‘new style’, composite, modified or otherwise that is within distinct form as apart from ‘this method or ‘that method. On the contrary, I hope to free my followers from clinging to styles, patterns, or molds. Remember that Jeet Kune Do is merely a name used, a mirror in whichto see ‘ourselves’. . . Jeet Kune Do is not an organized institution that one can be a member of. Either you understand or you don’t, and that is that. There is no mystery about my style. My movements are simple, direct and non-classical. The extraordinary part of it lies in its simplicity. Every movement in Jeet Kune-Do is being so of itself. There is nothing artificial about it. I always believe that the easy way is the right way. Jeet Kune-Do is simply the direct expression of one’s feelings with the minimum of movements and energy. The closer to the true way of Kung Fu, the less wastage of expression there is. Finally, a Jeet Kune Do man who says Jeet Kune Do is exclusively Jeet Kune Do is simply not with it. He is still hung up on his self-closing resistance, in this case anchored down to reactionary pattern, and naturally is still bound by another modified pattern and can move within its limits. He has not digested the simple fact that truth exists outside all molds; pattern andawareness is never exclusive. Again let me remind you Jeet Kune Do is just a name used, a boat to get one across, and once across it is to be discarded and not to be carried on one’s back.” [5] On January the 15th, 1956, Tatsuo Shimabuku established Isshin-Ryu [16|17], largely a synthesis of Shōrin-ryū [16|18], Gojū-ryū [19], and Kobudō [20]. Draeger spent years in the US Marine Corps, earning his 4th Dan in Judo at the age of 26, while also studying Japanese Swordsmanship, Javanese Silat, Ninjutsu, Pentjak-Silat, Phoenix-Eye Fist, Shantung Black Tiger and ShaoLin Lohan Kung-Fu. On April 11th, 1955, Choi Hong Hi (a.k.a. General Choi) united Taekkyeon [13] and Karate [14] as [15]. Dan Inosanto, Founder of The Inosanto Academy of Martial Arts, earned his Shodan in American Kenpo Karate under Ed Parker, his Instructorship in Jeet Kune Do under , and his Black Belt in the Machado Family style of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. As a Martial Arts Instructor, Poteet earned his Black Belt in AmericanKenpo Karate under Ed Parker and certification in Core Jeet Kune Do under Dan Inosanto. Grandmaster Frederick J. Villari developed Shaolin Kempo Karate from Shaolin Temple Boxing, Jiu Jutsu, Kempo, and White Tiger (Chan Na) [21]. Obata Toshishiro, in developing Shinkendo, studied Yoshinka Aikido [2], Nakamura Ryu [2], Ioriken Battojutsu [2], Toyama Ryu [2], Yagyu Shinkage Ryu [2], Kashima Shin Ryu [2], RyuKyu Kobudo [2], and others. “In all of his studies it became clear to Obata that although each school had its particular strengths, none of them taught a complete, comprehensive sword system. The traditional schools in Japan are not allowed to change or expand upon their original curriculum. They are considered to be living, breathing historical treasures and must be preserved as faithfully and precisely as possible. The inheritor of a traditional school is therefore duty-bound to teach techniques, training methods, and ideals exactly as he learned them. To change or add anythingwould be seen as terribly disrespectful to the original founder of the school. It was for this reason that Obata Sensei at age 32, having mastered many of the old schools in Japan, came to America in 1980 to start a new, comprehensive system of study: Shinkendo Japanese Swordsmanship. Obata spent 10 years refining his art before unveiling it to the world officially in 1991. He met with immediate success, and the International Shinkendo Federation was established a short 3 years later. As the creator of an entirely new system of sword study, he assumed the title of Kaiso (Founder), and started teaching seminars and opening branches all across the world. At the present time, there are over 70 branches of the ISF worldwide.” – Obata Toshishiro [2] Stephen K. Hayes’ To-Shin Do, a modern varient of Bujinkan Ninjutsu, encompasses the nine schools that are part of the Bujinkan: Togakure Ryu, Koto Ryu, Gyokko Ryu, Kukishinden Ryu, Takagi Yoshin Ryu, Shinden Fudo Ryu, Gyokushin Ryu, Gikan Ryu,and Kumogakure Ryu. [22] Advantages Less Politics, More Progress What I love most about Jeet Kune Do is its inclusivity. While most martial schools seek exclusivity (“that is within distinct form as apart from this method or that method” [15]), Jeet Kune Do respectfully welcomes martial artists from all martial styles. Most JKD schools now retain highly qualified instructors from a variety of martial disciplines, teaching both historical and contemporary arts, as a means to an end. Schools The following schools teaches Jeet Kune Do with varying expression. Canada Our Canadian friends may contact . Hawaii Our Hawaiin friends may contact in Honolulu. South Africa Our South African friends may contact in Amanzimtoti, Durban; ; or in . United Kingdom Our English friends may contact in London, England. United States Our American friends may contact in Malibu, California; the in Redlands, California; the in Oakland, California; in Waterbury, Connecticut; in Bartlesville, Oklahoma; inWaterloo, Indiana; or the in Fort Worth, Texas. Frequently Asked Questions Are all mixed martial art schools JKD? No not all “mixed martial arts” schools are truly Hoplological. Some “mixed martial arts” schools are nothing but “duel contemporary schools” merging two or more contemporary forms into yet another. This is NOT Concept Jeet Kune Do. In the words of Bruce Lee the heart of Concept Jeet Kune Do is to “NOT invented a ‘new style’, composite, modified or otherwise that is within distinct form as apart from ‘this method or ‘that method.“ [5] Should JKD instructors be licensed to teach? No. Burton Richardson’s , Gary Dill’s , Larry Hartsell’s and Morne Swanepoel’s , amongst others, do offer certification. However, philosophically speaking, no certification are required to be an authentic JKD Instructor, since JKD is not a system, but a concept, a process, a way of life. True JKD Instructors are not certified, they are “born” with a passion for hoplology – “a science that studieshuman combative behavior and performance” [23]. They are always learning, developing, adapting and growing. In the words of Bruce Lee, “Always be yourself, express yourself, have faith in yourself, do not go out and look for a successfull personality and duplicate it“ Unfortunately, that is exactly what many are doing today, attempting to duplicate either Lee or one of his students. Videos Footnotes * While not a true “Koryū”, Sorato Ryu Kenjutsu shares much of its characteristics. Bibliography 1. (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; 27 June 2010) 2. (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; 7 August 2009) 3. (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; 27 June 2010) 4. (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; 27 June 2010) 5. Bruce Lee (September 1971). “Liberate Yourself From Classical Karate”. Black Belt Magazine (Rainbow Publications, Inc.) 9 (9): 24 6. (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; 27 June 2010) 7. (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; 2 January 2008) 8. Zarrilli. (1992) 9. Jin. (1928) 10. McCarthy.(1995) 11. Sato. (1996) 12. Andrew Nerlich. (Thesis for Level Ten Grading) 13. (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; 27 June 2010) 14. (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; 27 June 2010) 15. (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; 27 June 2010) 16. (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; 9 August 2011) 17. (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; 9 August 2011) 18. (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; 9 August 2011) 19. (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; 9 August 2011) 20. (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; 2 January 2008) 21. (2 January 2009) 22. (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; 2 January 2008) 23. (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; 30 June 2010) For more information, please visit Ejays , , , the , the , , , , , , and the . Revisions 02.01.2008 / 02.01.2009 / 30.06.2010 / 14.07.2010 / 03.02.2011 / 09.08.2011 / 19.08.2011 / 23-24.08.2011 / 09.05.2012