Is Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do mostly just Bruce Lee's Wing Chun?

Question

I'm trying to figure Jeet Kune Do out, but I'm confused. I can't seem to come to any conclusions other than that JKD is mostly just Bruce Lee's version of Wing Chun. I know all the ideals of his formlessness and not being bound by a style.... but from all the research I've done it just seems to be his version of Wing Chun. Even all of the principles and concepts of JKD are almost exactly the same as Wing Chun.

Answer 1

Thanks for asking. I do not believe so. When I had read I was quite suprised to see western boxing footwork and punching in it. It was also a shock to see various submissions in there like triangle chokes and armbars. It was a combination of various martial art techniques that comprised the "Tao Of Jeet Kune Do". In my opinion the answer is no.

Answer 2

It's almost sacrilege to state it... but I guess somebody had to say it. There are many versions of Wing Chun and Bruce Lee's original Jeet Kune Do is just another version of it. However, there is also the Jeet Kune Do practitioners like Inosanto that have mixed many different styles into the framework or "principles" of Jeet Kune Do. But yes, for the most part, Jeet Kune Do concepts are pretty much the same as Wing Chun concepts.

Answer 3

If I recall correctly Bruce was hesistent to even give JKD a name or even call it a style for that matter. Yes Wing Chun was deeply rooted into his movements because he grew up with it. But the whole concept of JKD isn't about the physical. It's a philosophy or a blue-print for everyone's own fighting style.

All you really have is instinct, and I don't mean guessing what your opponent will do. I mean, letting your opponent act and reacting the most natural way you can. It's all very hard to explain in words. But if you read the Book of the Five Rings by Miyamoto Mushashi, and you understand it then your well on your way.

Answer 4

Jeet Kune Do has extensive roots in Wing Chun....considering the lessons learned under Yip Man and Yang style Taijiquan (under the tuelage of his father) were his first two studied martial arts.

The principles of Wing Chun, in terms of it's simplicity, ease of use, and efficiency were perfect to fit within all of Bruce's martial methodologies since. Though, he did see it's rigidity, and limitations.

Henceforth, there's a reason why he studied multiple eastern and western combat styles afterward : Hung Ga, Choy Lay Fut, western Rapier fencing (mainly for further developing linear dynamics in footwork), Judo, western Boxing (to develop the efficiency of it's round and cross punches), Kali/Arnis, and the list goes on and on.

The efficiency and basic tactical movements are within JKD to a great degree, but the mentality of many many years of consistant cross-education is there as well.

Answer 5

There are many other martial artists that do one or two changes to an art and call it their own. John Pelligrini's Combat Hapkido and Jeff Speakman's Kenpo 5.0 (I think) are a couple that come to mind.

It wouldn't surprise me at all if that's what really happened. Since how he trained in Wing Chun, I'm sure that it had influence on JKD. Exactly how much, I don't know. You would know more than me easily.

Answer 6

NO!