JKD (and JFJKD) is not a compilation or combination of 26 different styles. There is a common misconception that because Bruce Lee looked into many different kinds of martial arts, he incorporated them into his repertoire. Rather, as a martial artist, Bruce Lee was interested in other martial arts and in particular interested in examining their limitations and weaknesses.
Bruce Lee initially trained in Wing Chun and incorporated some Wing Chun techniques into his work out and teaching regimen, but when it came to the development of JKD, Bruce Lee moved further and further away from Wing Chun. In reality, the only arts that heavily influence the art of JFJKD aside from Wing Chun are western boxing and fencing. If you read the published volumes of Bruce Lee’s own notes, you will find no reference to or evidence for “26” different arts in any of Lee’s personal notes. Rather, JFJKD is an art unto itself with it’s own unique techniques and methodology.
People talk about “making JKD your own” and about personal evolution in JKD. From what I understand, you “make it your own” by adding more techniques from other arts that work well for you. Is that right?
No, you do not make-up your own JKD. This line of thinking presupposes that Bruce Lee’s contribution to the martial arts was purely philosophical with no physical structure. Bruce Lee’s art has a definite set of physical techniques that are deeply entrenched in philosophical principles. It is through the continued practice of these techniques and principles that one continues to improve, discover and deepen their understanding of JKD and thereby make it their own. |
