JKD Nucleus

[Baki Hanma]

Ok this website has this info on the subject.

Bruce Lee's grave


Bruce Lee certified three instructors: Dan Inosanto, Taky Kimura, and James Yimm Lee (no relation to Bruce Lee). James Yimm Lee, a close friend of Bruce Lee, died without certifying additional students. Taky Kimura, to date, has certified one person in Jun Fan Gung Fu: his son and heir Andy Kimura. All other instructors are certified under Dan Inosanto. Prior to his death, Lee told his then only two living instructors Inosanto and Kimura (James Yimm Lee had died in 1972.) to dismantle his schools. Both Taky Kimura and Dan Inosanto were allowed to teach small classes thereafter without using the name Jeet Kune Do.
As a result of a lawsuit between the estate of Bruce Lee (also known as Concord Moon) and the Inosanto Academy, the name "Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do" was legally trademarked, and the rights were given solely to the Lee estate. "The name is made up of two parts: 'Jun Fan' (Bruce’s given Chinese name) and 'Jeet Kune Do' (the Way of the Intercepting Fist). The development of Bruce Lee’s art from 1961 until the end of his life was one smooth and indivisible path. In the beginning, he referred to his teachings simply as Jun Fan Gung Fu. Later he further refined his art as a unique Gung fu all its own – Jeet Kune Do" (from the Bruce Lee Foundation Web site).
Some martial arts instructors, in an effort to promote themselves or their martial arts schools, make dubious claims about learning from or teaching Bruce Lee. There are only a few living people who can trace their lineage directly to Bruce Lee.


It is sorta backed up by the usage of Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do. And the fact that some schools still use JKD and Jun Fan.

Honestly I don't know what to think about this shit anymore, I mean Bruce was always my hero as a kid, someone who i looked up to and motivated me to train hard, since I couldn't train with him I had hoped that i could train with each of his students, and get what even they had to offer from their own experience and training in the martial arts, It seems impossible for me to reach anyone though, I once emailed Taky's son Andy and he told me to give him my number to be contacted so we can talk, and never replied or called and once I have been emailing people on def replies for the longest time...

Seriously whats going on with people these days, often times i wonder what Bruce would have thought about many things today if he were still around....

[Wi Kali Group]

Well I didn't know about the lawsuit. So I suppose if you face facts can take 2 path's.

1. Forget the Bruce Lee foundation and only study the Form of JKD taught outside the foundation (that totally bastardized Bruce's art). You can find many instructors from Dan's lineage.

2. Learn what you can from any of them. Then like any type of whore kick them to the curb when they are done servicing you. This is no different that what any of them have do to Bruce.

The main thing (and I don't disagree with anything Mike posted on this no matter how this come out.) Is to distinguish between Bruce & his real art. And his family and former students who are bastardizing it for a buck.

[Wi-Stickboxer]

The trademarked term is "Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do". "Jeet Kune Do" by itself is NOT copywrited. Rick Faye still has a "Jun Fan" class on mondays,so I think that term by itself is OK too. Dan Inosanto has a class called "Jeet Kuen" listed on his web site. You can still use the name "JKD",but really,why bother? People should judge your art by what YOU can teach,not Bruce Lee's legacy. Most senior instructors have been doing JKD longer than Bruce did,Inosanto has been in JKD longer than Bruce Lee was alive! JKD belongs to the world now,for better or for worse,interpret the philosophies for yourself.

[Baki Hanma]

The trademarked term is "Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do". "Jeet Kune Do" by itself is NOT copywrited. Rick Faye still has a "Jun Fan" class on mondays,so I think that term by itself is OK too. Dan Inosanto has a class called "Jeet Kuen" listed on his web site. You can still use the name "JKD",but really,why bother? People should judge your art by what YOU can teach,not Bruce Lee's legacy. Most senior instructors have been doing JKD longer than Bruce did,Inosanto has been in JKD longer than Bruce Lee was alive! JKD belongs to the world now,for better or for worse,interpret the philosophies for yourself.

I agree with what you said for the most part but just because senior instructors have been around longer than Bruce has and had the chance to do JKD in their own way doesn't mean it makes them better, Bruce Lee and Bruce Lee alone was the only person who understood JKD to the deepest of depths as he founded the art, I do feel however that if there is one other person who can honestly understand the art to such a deep depth would have to be Dan Inosanto, as from what I hear is teaching the art the way Bruce wanted it to be.

JKD is not suppose to be a style but a free art, and it was most of all suppose to be just a name, not something you cage yourself within, who ever practices JKD should understand that it should be their own interpretation of if the art, in other words their own expression.

I don't care what anyone says I have gotten every book Bruce Lee has out, and books that his students have put out, I have studied the context and done all i can to apply the concepts and ideas to my own way of the martial arts, I do not go around saying I'm JKD Certified And I'm more than sure if i had the chance to train with the first generation students I could learn a lot, but regardless from the books and what I have applied in my sparring and training I would say I have being doing something of my own version of JKD, even if i don't call it JKD.

AS I have said, I'll say again, with what I'm hearing about Linda and Shannon makes me very disappointed, and what I'm confused about is if this crap is going on, than why is Dan Inosanto's daughter part of the Bruce Lee Foundation Run by Shannon and Linda?
Anyways Whatever the case I don't believe Bruce Lee would have wanted any of this to happen, and so I don't want to Judge anyone, all I want is to Train with everyone and be the best I can be, and I hope regardless of what he or she does, no one puts Bruce Lee's name in vain or bashes the art he developed, himself and with his best friends.

[Wi Kali Group]

Ok here is a letter allegedly by Paula Inosanto to Inside Kungfu written in the 90's correcting the record on some of the lies & myth's about Bruce, Dan & JKD & JUN FAN

Martial Arts Koncepts

On the Diana being on the board I don't know. She could be keeping an eye on things for her Dad. She could be friends with Shannon I don't know. She could be trying to bring some sanity to it. It's hard to imagine the way some of the members dumped on Bruce's memory (apparently) and Dan she'd be a part of it. Maybe they are just using her name. They didn't appoint her or Tim Tackett to the board they are just on the commitee.

On the above comment about whore's. It came out harsher than intended. But the sentiment still stands. They are prostituting Bruce's art IMO and as such if people should feel no need to show them any respect what so ever.

I wonder if some of Bruce's students have taken to smearing the facts and rewriting history. They have been teaching since Bruce died (since we all know they wouldn't have dared while he was alive.). And untill they started smearing Dan, sued him & pimped out Bruces legacy. They couldn't make the impact Dan did by being humble and qualified. They taught and people either like it or not. Found it useful or not. But since they didn't know the whole totality of JKD like Dan (or really only knew Jun Fan) people didn't want to stay or didn't need to. And when you look at the Disloyalty they show Bruce and by extention Dan it breeds the same in their students.

Dan is loved and respected by probably 90% of the people who meet him. I think they would be lucky to count 5-10% of their students. Just my opinion.

[Kvntu]

My understanding is Dan Inosanto can't use the term Jun fan jeet kune do, but can use Jeet Kune Do or Jun Fan Gung Fu. I assume this is the case because both terms (jeet kune do and Jun Fan Gung Fu) are still used on the website for the Inosanto Academy. So while it's a disgraceful things that Shannon Lee did by attacking Sifu Dan, its not the end of the world.

[Michael Wright]

Fully agree its not the end of the world, in fact as far as I'm concerned the end result is neither here nor there - as I said in the other thread its just a name.

However, just to be clear, the ruling of the court case prevented Guro Inosanto using the term Jun Fan, Jeet Kune Do and the JKD symbol in any commercial context i.e. any form of promotion where funds change hands. Therefore the name and symbol had to be removed from all Inosanto Academy clothing, advertising, and promotional material. Its fine to list factual information on a website, this is not a financial promotion.

At the risk of going over old ground, its not the end result that bothers me. What I found disgraceful, in fact disgusting, is the financial, mental and emotional stress that the Lee family saw fit to put one of their best friend's through. If that's what they do to their friends, I'd hate to be Wong Jak Man.

I think I've probably said enough on this, I'll retire from the discussion.

[Kvntu]

Fully agree its not the end of the world, in fact as far as I'm concerned the end result is neither here nor there - as I said in the other thread its just a name.

However, just to be clear, the ruling of the court case prevented Guro Inosanto using the term Jun Fan, Jeet Kune Do and the JKD symbol in any commercial context i.e. any form of promotion where funds change hands. Therefore the name and symbol had to be removed from all Inosanto Academy clothing, advertising, and promotional material. Its fine to list factual information on a website, this is not a financial promotion.

At the risk of going over old ground, its not the end result that bothers me. What I found disgraceful, in fact disgusting, is the financial, mental and emotional stress that the Lee family saw fit to put one of their best friend's through. If that's what they do to their friends, I'd hate to be Wong Jak Man.

I think I've probably said enough on this, I'll retire from the discussion.

Thank you for clarifying that and I wasn't aware he couldn't even use Jeet Kune Do on a t-shirt. I certainly understand your anger and it blew my mind when I first heard about it. Its hard to think this was inspired by just greed and part of me wonders if the Lee family has been misinformed by people like John Little and have really been made to believe Sifu Dan is not "preserving" Bruce's art. If thats the case, then that is really sad. Its sad because if their current exposure to JKD is simply surrounding themselves with John Little and Ted Wong, then I feel they are denying themselves a more complete picture of what Bruce Lee was communicating. So the entire situation is tragic in a way, not just for Dan but the Lee family. Without a doubt if Brandon Lee (Dan's loyal friend and student) had survived we wouldn't even being having this thread. Just my 2 cents.

[Aikia]

Ok here is a letter allegedly by Paula Inosanto to Inside Kungfu written in the 90's correcting the record on some of the lies & myth's about Bruce, Dan & JKD & JUN FAN

Martial Arts Koncept
WI Kali group
__________________________

Interesting that you bring up this 1993 letter from Paula Inosanto to Curtis Wong, former owner and publisher of Inside Karate and IKF magazine.
The fact is that she penned a 6 page letter. People use edited parts of the letter as if it were written about an individual. Here's the facts.
In 1993 writer Paul Bax published and article in Inside Karate magazine titled something to the effect of "The Return of Bruce Lee's original JKD". The publication of the article was misinterpreted by the Inosanto clan as a direct insult.Paula Inosanto sought revenge.
John Soet, editor of Inside Karate had married Lil, Dan Inosanto's sister.
Lil died of cancer and Dan was not present at the funeral.
Apparently ( according to the letter p5-6)there was harsh feelings among Inosanto family members which at the time included John Soet (by marriage).
The 6 page letter written by Paula Inosanto to Curtis Wong was very much intended to reprimand Mr. Soet for publicly embarrassing the Inosanto family by publishing an article that was not approved by the clan. She wanted to have John Soet fired. It didn't work.
The Inosanto letter was trashed by Mr. Wong as libel and became the joke of the office of editors.
To even think that the 1993 article was published solely to embarrass the Inosantos for not attending a funeral borders on paranoia. Certainly the writer of the article intended only to present his opinion that there was a renewed interest in Bruce Lee's original art of jeet kune do.
The fact that Mr. Inosanto coined the term "JKD Concepts" in the late 1970's (years after Bruce Lee passed away) opened the door for future "versions" of JKD, and, for the newly (in 1993) created interest in the "original" art of JKD.
The letter and the resultant JKDC versus OJKD controversy eventually led to the litigation between the Lee family and the Inosanto Academy. The Lee estate has endorsed the OJKD identified as Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do.
The 1993 Paula Inosanto letter is perhaps one of the most divisive and misunderstood actions in the annals of JKD history. Much of the JKD controversy that exists today can be traced to the infamous Inosanto "revenge" letter.
It serves no one to point to the Inosanto letter as something of value.

The letter set the stage for the eventual litigation discussed in this thread and the separation of Dan Inosanto from the Bruce Lee Foundation/Family.
Contrary to what some would want to conjecture, both sides worked together in creating the divide.

[Wi Kali Group]

Ok on this site here is the start of the feedback from the Paula Inosanto letter. I am taking Aikia (who I believe is Dr Beasley who in Paula's Opinion is an armchair JKD guy. And with all the time Paula spends around Dan I'd say her opinion is probably pretty good. And I don't remeber Linda Lee or Shannon spending alot of time helping Bruce train or teach anything so don't try to compare.) at his word that this is indeed Paula's letter.

Martial Arts Koncepts


NOTE: The response from last months publication of Paula Inosanto's letter was better than I could have expected. In this months newsletter I will share with you the information I gathered concerning Gary Dill, with Lamar Davis and Dr. Jerry Beasley being covered in coming issues ...

Professor Gary Dill
Mr. Dill was the first person to contact me concerning Paula's letter. After a lengthy phone conversation Mr. Dill invited me to attend a seminar he was giving in Northern Virginia the following weekend.



At the seminar Mr. Dill produced a packet of documents that he considered to be indisputable proof that he was a "real JKD man". This packet included a personal letter from James Lee, several certificates from various martial arts organizations (recognizing him as a Grandmaster in Bushido Kempo/SDS-JKD) and letters from the now disbanded JKD Society.

Sifu James' Lee's letter (which is the cornerstone of Mr. Dill's "credentials") does in fact authorize Mr. Dill to train in what he was exposed to during his short time under his (James Lee's) direction; but it also explicitly states, not once, not twice, but three times, that he is to not, under any circumstances, teach or claim to teach JKD. This was stated in such a way as to not be confused or misinterpreted by Mr. Dill or anyone else who read the letter. Obviously it was...



Mr. Dill is using an abbreviated version of the letter, which includes only Sifu Lee's reference to training with a small group of friends, and not the admonitions against teaching JKD. Mr. Dill's version of the letter could lead one to believe that he was given permission to teach; but in no uncertain terms Sifu James Lee it was okay as long as he was "just working out with a select few to keep your skills in JKD and Wing Chun - for your own benefit - not to try to pass yourself off as an instructor in our style of no style".



It appears that Mr. Dill is exactly what he warns people about in his own literature - that he is one of the many "rip-off artists out there claiming to be teaching JKD but wouldn't know JKD if it was in front of them. Many of them have no authentic lineage, no real training ... Let the buyer beware"!

Thanks for the warning ...


Now if I can find his info on Dr. Beasley I'll post it later. But people use your common sense. What the Lee family has done would be like if Colon Powel Died and his wife and daugter waited till their son/brother died after starting to attend west point. Then hooked up with militia guys and went around trying to tell everyone how to train officers for war like at west point.

[Wi Kali Group]

Ok here is the one on Davis.

Martial Arts Koncepts

Now if this is accurate. It seems he didn't get an instructor ship from Poteet cause he was selling them for too high a price. And it sounds like he didn't get one from Dan or Richard cause they expected him to earn it.


NOTE: Following is the continued response to the publication of Paula Inosanto's letter in the November '93 newsletter. This month we examine Lamar Davis' response to her comments; next month we will hear from Dr. Jerry Beasley ... I can't wait !!!

Sifu Lamar Davis
Mr. Davis claims to have studied the martial arts for 26 years and has worked with the following instructors: Gary Dill, Ted Wong, Joseph Cowles, Jerry Poteet, Ted LucayLucay, Richard Bustillo and Dan Inosanto.
Following are comments that Mr. Davis made concerning his instructors:



Gary Dill - Mr. Davis stated that he is not and never was a student of Gary Dill's.



Ted Wong - Mr. Davis recognizes Mr. Wong as the "head of Jun Fan Gung Fu and JKD because he teaches only JKD, not JKD Concepts". Mr. Davis also stated that he is an instructor under Mr. Wong but does not have an instructors certificate. (He expects one in the near future ...)



Joseph Cowles - Mr. Davis received rank in Wu Wei Gung Fu from Mr. Cowles in 1982 but broke off relations with him because he considered Mr. Cowles to be a "religious fanatic".



Jerry Poteet - Mr. Davis attended a seminar by Mr. Poteet and was offered certification, but didn't want to pay $5000.00 for it. (As he claims others have ...)



Ted Lucaylucay - Mr. Lucaylucay has given seminars for Mr. Davis and is a "member of his organization", the United States Jeet Kune Do Alliance.



Richard Bustillo & Dan Inosanto - Mr. Davis has attended and sponsored seminars by both gentlemen. Mr. Davis stated that he pursued certification with Mr. Inosanto but could not "globetrot" to seminars to get certification.

I quote Mr. Davis: "When are these children going to wake up and realize that there is more than one way of doing things, and that their way may not be the right way for everyone!"



In conclusion I would like to quote Rodney King for Mr. Davis: "Can't we all just get along?".

In response I would like to quote the immortal words of Wayne & Garth: "NOT!".

[Wi Kali Group]

And here is the one on Dr. Beasley


Martial Arts Koncepts




NOTE: Following is the final response to the publication of Paula Inosanto's letter in the November '93 newsletter. This month we we'll examine Dr. Jerry Beasley's heated response to her comments as well as his personal attack against me. Next month, in the final installment of "Backlash", I'll summarize the current situation and future actions to curb these "cowboys".

Dr. Jerry Beasley
Dr. Jerry Beasley (Dr. B) is the author of 2(+) books and more than 40(+) articles on Jeet Kune Do and is "a recognized authority" on the subject.



In numerous articles Dr. B states that he trained in JKD and Kali with Guro Dan Inosanto over a five year period (1983-1988). According to Dan and Paula Inosanto, they did see Dr. B in attendance at several seminars and camps. But they are both quick to point out that Dr. B was there taking notes and that they never once saw him train. [Sitting on the sidelines of a seminar and taking notes is not what most consider a valid method of "experiencing" a training method or system.]

Where does Dr. B get the vast amounts of information that he writes about concerning JKD? Well, as of January 1993 he was given authorization to teach "JKD Fighting Principles and Strategies" by Joe Lewis, a student of Bruce Lee's and world class kick boxer in the 70's. This certification was given with the following stipulation: "Remember, as I maintain my respect for Bruce Lee, you must maintain respect for his art as he left it." [Looks like he has already broken that promise ...]

In response to my questions concerning his training, background and use/abuse of the term JKD, Dr. B has responded with several letters. Threatening physical violence [using words unbecoming a college professor] and legal action [nice try], he has demanded that I publicly apologize for the commentary made in this newsletter.



Consider the following as an "apology": Having been unable to distinguish yourself through other means, you "drop" the names of people who have dedicated their lives to the development and propagation of the martial arts. I find your abuse of the curiosity and relative ignorance of the general martial arts community [in regards to Bruce Lee's art] to be reprehensible and self-serving.



Regarding Mr. Lewis I have always, and will continue to have, the greatest respect for his ability as a martial artist and fighter. I can only hope that his name will not be tarnished by his association with you.



I am looking forward to that "personal JKD lesson" that you are so anxious to give me ...

[Wi Kali Group]

Here is his conclussion.


Martial Arts Koncepts



Over the past several months I have had the not-so-pleasant, but extremely educational, experience of writing about the response to Paula Inosanto's letter concerning the growth number of "Original JKD"/"JKD Instructors".



Strangely enough all of the gentlemen mentioned in the letter, as well as the subsequent commentary, have one thing in common: they have nothing good to say about each other, in addition to being more than eager to trash the others background, training and ability. Of particular interest is Gary Dill's and Lamar Davis' vehement dislike of Dr. Jerry Beasley ...

Without getting to personal I would like to make a few comments about the situation as it stands today.



First, none of the gentlemen mentioned, has had any formal training in Jun Fan Gung Fu or JKD Concepts. Training for a few weeks 30 years ago (then falling off the face of the earth), attending a couple of seminars, watching a video, or reading all of the books on a given subject does not make anyone an authority. It takes consistent training, determination, humility and integrity to develop the skills, understanding and ability necessary to perfect any skill.



Second, none of the gentlemen mentioned is recognized by their peers, meaning people who are training in the same art they profess to teach, write about, and/or make video's about. They are out there all by themselves, claiming to have the "inside scoop" on what Sigung Bruce was trying to do thirty years ago.



Finally, I am amazed and thoroughly disgusted at the tremendous ego's these gentlemen have! Basing their credentials on their questionable "training", these "JKD Masters" are a perfect example of PT Barnum's immortal social commentary that "there's one born every minute." [In this case, there must be one born every thirty seconds or so because there are people out there who are actually being fooled by these guys ...]



Fortunately there is a small segment of the martial arts population that has the insight, intelligence and common-sense to see through all of the BS and perceive these gentlemen for what they really are: FAKES. Just like the hordes of "Ninja Masters" that came out of the woodwork in the '70's and '80's, these gentlemen will fade back into obscurity as soon as the spotlight starts to dim.



So, hang on, keep your "BS Meter" charged and ready to go, and let's weather this storm together ...remember, if you ignore something long enough it will eventually go away. If not, we can always hope that they have the opportunity to user their "Original JKD" on the streets ...

[Wi Kali Group]

Here is a post on his site about a series of questions he gets.

Martial Arts Koncepts

The one I like is where was Ted all those years Dan was building up Bruce's art. For that matter where was the Lee family.

I wan't to be clear I am not trying to bash any of the OBLS (origianl bruce lee students). Or their right to teach wheter Bruce made them instructors or not.

Tangent alert -- Someone keeps posting a site with the geneology of various alleged instructors in JKD. He keeps listing it as the truth. What I find funny is he lists Dan, James and Taky as Assistant instructors. It's my understanding that they were the sifu at Bruce's various schools. He has Ted Wong listed as just certified not even an assistant instructor. This puts him in the same company as several hollywood stars that trained under bruce.

My big problem is the way they either take an active part in Bashing the legacy left behind by Bruce (Dan & the Art). Or passive one by not correcting the record. They stood by in the shadows while Dan kept Bruce Lee and JKD alive. Teaching small groups, trying to get better running small schools. Now that Dan is old they come running out like cockroaches trying to dine at the feast Dan built.

And the Lee family. I love people who point to their training with a sudo instructor and point to the Lee family for legitimacy. Why none of them trained or was even ranked as a advanced student like Ted Wong.

Oh well good luck on all the training. If you want to get hoodwinked by the students of people of questionalble caracter its your buisness. Just do yourself a favor. Use some common sense at you think this over. Their is a reason they have to try and misdirect people on the facts. What they have isn't that good.

[Wi-Stickboxer]

Ted Wong did not start the seminar circuit until he was retired.

I somewhat know Dr B and he has said that he does not claim to be a JKD instructor. In fact,in another post (on this board) he praises Dan.

So much of the concepts "buffet" approach has diluted JKD to the point where it was associated with Kali sticks and most people consider it a traditional art. I don't believe this was Dan's doing,but other people who misunderstood what he was saying.