Martial Arts Philosophy
Remembering Ted Wong
I just got the news that the respected JKD (Jeet Kune Do) practitioner and instructor, Sifu Ted Wong, passed away last week.
May I offer my heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and students.
In case you find yourself reading today’s post and not being aware of who Ted Wong was, I would like to share a profile by Teri Tom that originally appeared in the December 2006 issue of Black Belt Magazine:
Ted Wong: 2006 Man of the Year
By Teri Tom
“It’s the stuff of legends, really. A story of serendipitous privilege and great personal anguish.
In 1967 Ted Wong was living in Los Angeles’ Chinatown when a friend tipped him off about a class at Bruce Lee’s Jun Fan Gung Fu Institute.
Acceptance to the class had been by invitation, and members were expected to have prior training. Wong snuck into the class with no experience, and when Lee saw him, he asked, “Who are you?”
Wong thought he’d be given the boot, but instead, the two struck up a conversation in Cantonese. Lee made an exception and let Wong stay.
Wong wasted no time making up for his lack of experience, and before long he was training in Lee’s backyard, having become his most frequent sparring partner.
From July 27, 1967 to October 14, 1971, Wong studied under Lee at least 122 times. According to Lee’s own appointment books, Wong spent more time receiving private instruction than any other person.
You’d be hard-pressed to find a martial artist who’s more qualified to teach advanced Jun Fan jeet kune do—which is why Wong was certified by Lee himself.
M. Uyehara, author of Bruce Lee: The Incomparable Fighter, agreed. He wrote: “I still think Bruce considered Ted Wong as his protégé before his death. Wong was his constant companion for the last few years. Besides working out on Wednesday nights, Wong also came to see Bruce on weekends. When Bruce needed a sparring partner, it was Wong he selected.”
But that period wouldn’t last. With Lee’s death in 1973, Wong found himself without a teacher.
What followed is a story of great pain, moral integrity and self-reliance.
While others were quick to capitalize on their association with Lee, Wong threw himself into 15 years of seclusion.
There was still so much to learn, so he went back to the origin: the writings his teacher had left behind.
He tracked down the sources that influenced those writings, books that had been in Lee’s library.
He relied on his photographic—or, more precisely, his “filmographic”—memory to draw connections between what he’d seen Lee do so many times and the principles outlined in his writings.
When he lost his instructor, Wong faced the same temptation we all do: to look to outside sources—different masters, different styles.
He chose to do the opposite, and it wasn’t an easy path to follow. But Wong had all he needed: the road map left by his teacher and the benefit of many hours spent with one of history’s greatest martial artists.
In the 15 years that followed, Wong developed a solid understanding of what Lee had tried to teach him. Wong didn’t supplement his arsenal with techniques from other arts. The only thing he added to Jun Fan jeet kune do was an understanding and analysis designed to enable future generations to benefit from Lee’s lifework.
In the 15 years it took Wong to connect the dots between his training and Lee’s writings, others misinterpreted those writings and misrepresented their teachings as jeet kune do.
Although reclusive by nature, Wong couldn’t remain silent. The damage propelled him out of the shadows in the early 1990s.
After decades of turning down requests for interviews, he found himself in the spotlight. Still, he refrained from adopting a traditional approach.
While he could have turned a handsome profit by opening a school, Wong didn’t go that route. Maintaining the integrity of the art was more important.
Even now, he privately teaches only a half-dozen students in the Los Angeles area.
Instead of running a school, he’s taken his act on the road. He’s planted JKD seeds in countries around the globe, including Japan, Hong Kong, Puerto Rico, Sweden, Holland, Scotland, Italy and Spain, as well as across the United States.
He’s made regular trips to those locations for years and built a small army of loyal students. Without a facility to run, he can pick and choose his students based on their character and interest in the art.
In his spare time, Wong serves on the board of the Bruce Lee Foundation, where he contributes his time as an adviser and instructor.
For his selfless contributions to the foundation, the legacy of Bruce Lee and the art of Jun Fan jeet kune do, Black Belt is proud to induct Ted Wong into its Hall of Fame as 2006 Man of the Year.
Jun Fan jeet kune do is a registered trademark owned by Concord Moon.”
Sifu Ted Wong, R.I.P.
A Glimpse Of Okinawan Meibukan Goju-Ryu Karate-Do
For those of you not that familiar with this style of Okinawan karate introduced in 1890 by Kanryo Higaonna, let’s have a look at it:
Meibukan = pure martial association
Goju-Ryu = hard and soft style
Karate-Do = Way of the empty hand
Their guiding principle is to seek the way of virtue which is respect, loyalty, cooperation, discipline and hard work.
I don’t know where you live, but we could use a lot more of that around here. But before I digress any further….
Okinawa is widely recognized at the birthplace of karate. One of the original styles is Goju-Ryu which has generated a number of different branches.
The original style was first called Naha-Te and emphasized correct breathing, along with body strengthening and conditioning.
Goju-Ryu offers circular and linear techniques through hard striking and kicking as well as softer open hand techniques for blocking and controlling the opponent. Locks, throws, grappling and takedown techniques complete their arsenal of a very effective fighting style that is complemented by weapons.
Further, Goju-Ryu tends to emphasize meeting opponents with the opposite of what they are utilizing.
For better understanding, striking the head (a hard part of the body) with the open hand (a soft part of the body) or striking the groin (soft) with a groin kick (hard).
According to reports, GojuRyu karate was the style of karate that Ralph Macchio practiced under his teacher, Mr. Miyagi, in the movie, The Karate Kid.
Some of you might know that I started TheMartialArtsReporter.com in 09/2009.
What’s kinda funny is that in May 2005, I spent several days attending a business seminar (that had nothing to do with martial arts!) in a laid-back Boston suburb called Wakefield/Watertown.
And I had no idea then what I know now:
The most senior instructor of Meibukan Goju-Ryu Karate-Do actually teaches there!
9th Dan Anthony Mirakian, who was born in 1933 in Havana, Cuba, was the first Westerner ever to be accepted as a student under Grandmaster Meitoku Yagi in the 50s while stationed in Okinawa with the United States Air Force.
In November 1959, Mirakian returned and introduced Meibukan Goju-Ryu to the United States.
In 1961, he was granted official permission by Meitoku Yagi to open his own dojo, the first foreign dojo in the history of the Meibukan and one of the first foreign (founded outside Japan) dojos in the history of Okinawa Goju-ryu where he continues to teach today.
And here is a a clip showing Mr. Mirakian’s instructor, Grandmaster Yagi, performing a kata at the age of 80. Enjoy!
Some Great Martial Arts Quotes
I found some quotes that begin with Bruce Lee and end with Bruce Lee. Enjoy!
To me, the extraordinary aspect of martial arts lies in its simplicity. The easy way is also the right way, and martial arts is nothing at all special; the closer to the true way of martial arts, the less wastage of expression there is.
- Bruce Lee
You may train for a long time, but if you merely move your hands and feet and jump up and down like a puppet, learning Karate is not very different from learning a dance. You will never have reached the heart of the matter; you will have failed to grasp the quintessence of karate-do.
- Gichin Funakoshi
Aikido is not a defensive martial art. Being defensive is a terrible way to go through life.This means be proactive. It does not mean hit first.
- Dojo wall
The ultimate aim of karate-do lies not in victory or defeat,
but in the perfection of the character of its participants.”
- Gichin Funakoshi
A black belt is nothing more than a belt that goes around your waist. Being a black belt is a state of mind and attitude.”
- Rick English
The art of the sword consists of never being concerned with victory or defeat, with strength or weakness, of not moving one step forward, nor one step backward, or the enemy not seeing me and my not seeing the enemy. Penetrating to that which is fundamental before the separation of heaven and earth where even yin and yang cannot reach, one instantly attains proficiency in the art.
- Takuan
He who knows not and knows not he knows not, He is a fool- Shun him. He who knows not and knows he knows not, He is simple- Teach him. He who knows and knows not he knows, He is asleep- Awaken him. He who knows and knows that he knows, He is wise- follow him.
- Bruce Lee
Truth has no path. Truth is living and, therefore, changing. Awareness is without choice, without demand, without anxiety; in that state of mind, there is perception. To know oneself is to study oneself in action with another person. Awareness has no frontier; it is giving of your whole being, without exclusion.
- Bruce Lee
Did The Movie “Enough” With Jennifer Lopez Help Women’s Self-Defense?
Even though this movie wasn’t really a success with movie critics, it was able to generate somewhere around US$ 55 mio.
Looking at it from martial arts and self-defense perspective, it probably does offer women something to think about and maybe even start taking self-defense classes.
The fighting concepts depicted in the movie are based on Krav Maga, which we talked about here some time ago.
I found this clip with J-Lo’s character getting ready for the big show-down with some interesting martial arts philosophies and a very challenging workout regimen.
I would really love to hear from the women reading this post today and learn if this movie had any effect on you in regards to your martial arts and self-defense training.
Teenager Tried To Kick Bruce Lee In The Face
Does anybody remember when one of Bruce Lee’s teenage students tried to hit him in the face with a side kick?
Let me reiterate:
Does anybody remember that famous scene in the movie classic “Enter The Dragon” when the martial arts master played by Bruce Lee tells his teenage student to kick him?
I think this scene never gets old, even though it’s been almost 40 years now.
Hmm, makes me wonder what ever happened to that teenager.
But besides that and I know it was a movie, one of Bruce Lee’s philosophies was to use your longest weapon against your opponent’s closest vunerable target. So how about a side kick to the shin or knee. I’m just sayin’.
Nevertheless, enjoy a bunch of nuggets of true martial arts wisdom packed into less than 2 minutes.
“Gone Fishing!”
Hey there,
Thank you for stopping by.
I just had to take some R&R.
Hope you don’t mind.
Check in soon again, will ya?
Oh, wait, I just remembered something:
You are more than welcome to catch up on all the previous posts in the archives on your right. Enjoy!
Inspirational Quotes To End The Year (And Start The Year)
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas.
Today I would like to share inspirational quotes and a video that will make you want to jump up and take action, especially after all the food you had yesterday.
“A distraction is only a distraction if you pay attention to it.” — Unknown
“All know the Way; Few actually walk it.” — Bodhidarma
“If training is hard, then winning will be easy, but if training is easy, then winning will be hard.” — Norman Harris
“Martial Arts should be a way of life, not a job, hobby, sport, but a part of you and the way you live your life.” — Frank Gutting
“Do your best and forget the rest.” — Tony Horton
Talk soon.
Peaceful Warrior Wisdom For Martial Artists (And Others, Too)
Most of us work and train towards goals, deadlines, targets, destinations etc.
The problem therein lies that we miss out on being in the moment.
And maybe we can just remind ourselves from time to time that we should enjoy the journey and not always be fixated on just the destination.
Enjoy this clip from The Peaceful Warrior!
20 Seconds With Bruce Lee Could Change Your Life Forever
Martial arts legend Bruce Lee left us with great martial arts movies, but also with some profound wisdom.
Most people know Bruce Lee as a martial artist, instructor and actor.
Let it be known that Bruce Lee was also quite an inspirational philosopher in his own right.
He actually was a philosophy major in Seattle, Washington.
Today or any day, just 20 seconds with Bruce Lee that could change your life forever.
Empty your cup mind and see what happens.
If you’re interested in more about Bruce Lee’s philosophical insights, check out my book store.
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