OFFICAL WEB SITE OF WU-WEI GUNG FUQUESTIONS
A. Check out the instructors page. It has a listing of all known whereabouts of as many instructors as I could gather. Some, Like Sifu Larry Like, are not on the list because I cannot seem to get in contact with them.
If you feel the instructors are still too far away, you may contact the nearest one and ask them about scheduling a seminar or demonstration.
Q. Like Bruce Lee, did you (Joseph Cowles) experiment with different techniques and concepts when you put Wu-Wei together or did you try to stay as close to Jun Fan as you could?
A. I have made a special point of teaching exactly what Bruce taught me in order to preserve his teaching unchanged. This is still true, but was emphasized more in earlier years. As I continued to grow in understanding of what Bruce called “the way of movements” I could see more and more applications. So this caused a development -- using Bruce’s “fistic entry” with “trapping” into the leverage of joint locks, sweeps, or throws -- very similar to those of jiu-jitsu, aki-jutsu. And occasionally I’ve used actual techniques from those arts. But mostly what has been developed has been through “seeing” a possible move from watching my students as they work out, or as I work with someone. And, the more advanced students pick up on this too. Sometimes the move proves to be very good, and sometimes it can be successfully applied with feel of how the opponent moves and sometimes it can’t. I remember Wally Jay talking about “transitional” moves -- going from one move to another. There are times when one may think of an excellent way of countering -- until he tries it and then finds he just has to toss it out. So the answer to the question of did I experiment or stay as close to Bruce’s teaching must be that I’ve done both – and still do. WU-WEI is an evolving art -- without forgetting and preserving Bruce’s teaching as I received it. I feel that I am just a student that’s all. I enjoy working out, and discovering new things, in sensing where the best leverage lies in a certain move, how to apply it, etc.
Q. What are some of the fundamental differences between Wu-Wei Gung Fu and James Demille's Wing Chun Do?
A. As to the “differences” between James Demille's Wing Chun Do and Wu-Wei, I cannot answer as I really don’t know that much about his art. However, he sent me a book years ago from which I picked up a “slipping elbow” and “winding elbow” move. I give him credit for that and still use those two moves. Very good. Thanks James!
Q. Can you certify anyone as a Jun Fan or JKD instructor?
A. Regardless of what anyone says -- or implies -- I have NEVER certified anyone as a JKD Instructor, period. Nor have I ever certified anyone as a Jun Fan Gung Fu Instructor, period. I have never even called myself a “Jun Fan Instructor” or “JKD Instructor” either, even though I trained personally under Bruce, in the Jun Fan Gung Fu Institute. So, if I wouldn’t do that, why would I presume to certify someone else? My certifications have been in what I call “Wu-Wei.” And I‘ve made mistakes in doing that which I’ve regretted. I have always stated truthfully that Bruce Lee was my Sifu -- that’s what we all called him in Seattle’s Jun Fan Gung Fu Institute. Bruce once told me privately after a test he gave us at the Jun Fan Institute, (he called each person up to his desk after that person finished testing, and said a few words to them quietly and personally). When I walked up to his desk, he told me he liked my attitude, and that when he returned from Hong Kong he might make me one of his assistant instructors. I was really happy when he said that. But after Bruce had been gone awhile, I dropped out of the class. Later on I called Taky and he told me Bruce was back and why didn’t I come back? So I did. But Bruce never said anything more to me about being an assistant instructor. Bruce began going to California shortly after this. But one day when he was in Seattle, I called him before class and asked him if I could teach. I was scared to ask, but I asked him anyway. He just said he would see me at class. He didn’t show up though. After class Taky said he would drive me down to catch the ferry (I was living in Bremerton, across the bay from Seattle at the time). On the way, Taky handed me an envelope on which Bruce had written: “To Joseph Cowles, present.” In it was a note from Bruce explaining that the rules of the school prevented him from granting my request. He told me that I could teach self-defense if I wanted to -- but not in the name of the Jun Fan Gung Fu Institute. I wrote back to Bruce and told him I understood, and I would continue to do my best.
Now the reason why I’ve gone to such detail in this is to ask the question: If I did not have anything but the first level in Bruce’s school and was not a “teacher” in his school, how could I certify anyone as a Jun Fan Instructor? JKD was unheard of in those days. I have stated in Black Belt Magazine, and other publications, that Bruce was my Sifu, but that I have called what I teach WU-WEI (using a term Bruce used when he said “My action is that of Wu-Wei...” ) in order to honor him as my Sifu while not presuming to encroach upon his schools, or what he had established. I once wrote to Linda (Lee Cadwell) and told her what I’ve stated above, and that Bruce had told me I could teach self-defense. Her answer was: “I’m sure Bruce taught you more than self-defense.” Not too long ago, she called me “one of the Seattle ‘originals’.” She has been very gracious to me over the years. I hope this answer is helpful because it is truthful.
Q. What was the curriculum taught to the early students before Bruce opened his school? Was there a change in what was taught after Bruce opened his school?
A. The curriculum before and after Bruce opened the Chinatown school... As I recall, we worked out outside on playgrounds, etc., more with practicing techniques. But in the Chinatown school, we did some pretty rough exercises before technique practice, such as hopping all the way around the basement area by bringing out legs up under us as we leaped upward, and then landing, and repeating this process over and over. Then we would walk on the outside edge of our feet for a while, and then on the inside edge (try this) for awhile. Fu-Jau push-ups were done by supporting the weight on the fingertips and scooping down low then up again—looking up as we finished the movement, and repeating over and over. I couple of times I got kind of sick, and had to go lay down in my car. (But I’d just worked very hard too before coming to class). Bruce told us if we couldn’t do it, to just not do it.
Changes were that the school was a bit more formal as I recall, than when we just worked out outside. Techniques were the same, and we practiced hard and seriously. Bruce said if we didn’t, we were not of Jun Fan Institute — even if we worked out there!
Q. How can I get a (free) copy of the Wu-Wei Gung Fu Newsletter?
A. The Wu-Wei Newsletter has been discontinued. All information regarding Wu-Wei Gung Fu will be presented in the Wu-Wei Gung Fu website.
Q. Do you have plans for building a Wing Chun wooden dummy?
A. I do have some plans, but I have not gotten around to publishing them on the website. Please stand by.
Q. I am very interested in your style. Can you please send more information?
A. Yes, but please be a little more specific. What specifically would you like more information about?
Q. Can you tell me the history of Gung Fu?
A. Gung Fu is the Cantonese way of saying “kung fu.” Cantonese is the dialect spoken mostly in Hong Kong. From my inquiries to my many Oriental friends, kung-fu means “accomplished action” or someone who is skilled at a specific task. Such as a Blacksmith is “kung-fu” or “skilled” at working with metals.
If you are looking for a history of all kung-fu martial arts I suggest you look elsewhere on the World Wide Web or your local library as this is beyond the scope of this website.
Q. I just recently started taking Gung Fu lessons and I'm currious about the system. I was wondering if there were self-defense techniques in it such as found in ju-jitsu, hop-kido, and kempo. I was told that all it had was the trap hands. I was told that due to some political influence, back in its history, that most of the “bite” of the art was taken out. It then became more acrobatic and stylistic and less self-defense oriented.
A. Wu-Wei Gung Fu techniques are taught the same as they were at the Jun Fan Institute in Seattle, Washington in the early 1960's. All the finger-jabs to the eyes and groin kicks are still taught and practiced. Most of what was taught at the Jun Fan Institute was Wing Chun based (trapping hands, economy of motion, simplicity, low-line kicks), but just as Bruce Lee used the concept of whatever "fits the moment" and studied other arts like Boxing and Fencing, Wu-Wei Gung Fu has also included techniques from Ju-Jitsu, Kali, Silat, Thai Boxing, and others. If the technique is effective (even a “bite”) and it “fits the moment,” it may be used whether or not it is politically correct at the time.
DISCLAIMER: The webmaster of this website or any other certified Wu-Wei Gung Fu instructor is not responsible for any action, injury or mishap in any way, shape or form, by those reading or following any written or other material in this website.
Q. Is there a video tape or a book on Wu-Wei Gung Fu?
A. Books and video tapes are in the works as you read this. There is a video of Wally Jay and Joe Cowles at BUSHIDO-KAI. For more info...
Q. Can you add my website URL to your martial arts link page? Can I link to the Wu-Wei Gung Fu website from my website?
A. I will swap website URL's if I can review your site first.
Q. Can I use any of your pictures, graphics or words for my WebPage?
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