As I was reading about Bruce Lee, I noticed that he disliked “patterns” in martial arts. This got me thinking about the value of patterns and forms in traditional martial arts. This really challenged my own assumptions because I have a background in Tae Kwon Do which has a long history of doing forms. Does Lee really reject all forms?
In the 1969 article, “Gung Fu in Bridge Club?,” Lee addressed gimmicks in martial arts
“There’s so much myth and Baloney…Or this matter of breaking bricks and boards with the edge of your hand. Now I ask you, did you ever see a brick or a board pick a fight with anybody? This is gimmick stuff. A human being doesn’t just stand there and wait to be hit.
“The karate teacher says, ‘if your opponent does this, then you do this, and then you do this and then you do this.’ And while you are remembering the ‘and thens’ the other guy is killing you.” (Words, page 86).
In the 1970 article, “Chop Talk with an Actor: Mayhem Up his Sleeve,” Lee again addressed patterns.
“Karate has become patterned, organized, I favor moving like a boxer; Jeet Kune Do offers more freedom, more self-expression. As for these people who chop boards in two…what a waste of time. I’ve yet to see a board hit back.” (Words, page 93).
I do see Lee’s point that breaking bricks doesn’t directly translate to a real combat situations. I agree that combat can’t follow a formula of reactions. It is dynamic and a martial artist has to be able to react dynamically. However, I can see that breaking boards can give a martial artist more confidence in combat and improve the power of their kick and strike.
In a 1972 article, “Me and Jeet Kune Do,” he goes on to reject forms and formality.
“Now that every branch of Chinese Gung Fu has its own form, its own established style, are those the original intentions of their founders? I don’t think so. Formality could be a hindrance to progress…The founder of any branch of Chinese Gung Fu must be more ingenious than the common man. If his achievement is not carried on by disciples of the same ingenuity, then things will only become formalized and get stuck in a cul-de-sac; whereby breakthrough and progress will be almost impossible.” (Words, page 126). “It is this understanding that makes me forsake all that I have learned before about forms and formality.” (Words, page 127).
This got me asking many questions. Does Lee really think the use of forms makes progress impossible? What about the “art” in martial arts, is he rejecting this as well? Does a form or kata not help a martial artist improve their focus, technique, and enjoymen?
What do you think? Does board breaking have any value for martial artists? What about traditional forms and katas, is there any value in these?
Resources:
Words of the Dragon: Interviews, 1958-1973, John Little, Editor, Tuttle Publishing, 1997, 2017. Volume 1 of the Bruce Lee Library, commissioned by the Bruce Lee Estate. Interview transcripts of Bruce Lee on a variety of topics including philosophy, martial arts, and his personal life. Put together by John Little, Bruce Lee historian.
Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay.
Martial Arts image by RENE RAUSCHENBERGER from Pixabay.
AI Narration provided by elevenlabs.io.
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