Jung Young Lee

Modern Kung-Fu Karate, Iron and Poisnon Hand Trainng was first self-published by my father James Yimm Lee over 32 years ago. He was one of the first pioneers to exppse oriental maritla arts to the Waestern world. He wrote a few other trial books before deciding to promote Modern Kung-Fu Karate. He truly loved the martial arts withouit seeking personal fame or fortune. To my knowledge this book repesents one of the first books released in the English language on the topic of kung-fu and karate, especially iron palm, poinson hand trainng. This book is bieng reprinted in tis original form, everytihing beingkept intact.

This is a rare original publication with the green cover, known as the "Green Book" issued by James Yimm Lee, long deceased. Revised and expanded from the 1957 and 1958 Orange Book. Worth owning for the historical photographs alone, not to mention kung fu information from a master teacher!!!

There were several printings of this volume. I have one with J.Y. Lee breaking a brick, and two others with different pictures feauturing Bodybuilder and Kung Fu fighter Al Novak smashing a brick with an open hand strike. The back cover shows Jasper Cummings, Jack Headrick, and Earl Maddox as well as another shot of Al Novak Breaking. This book offers complete instruction on how to break a brick in 100 days with absolutely no superstition and no pretentiousness. It also shows trick methods for demonstrations.

According to James Lee's son Greglon Lee in the newly released "The Dragon and the Tiger...",, these books were sold in kung fu schools and martial arts shops in the Bay Area (near San Fransisco), and also by mail order.

Notably absent is any hint of arrogance on the part of author James Lee. He explains things in plain and sensible language, offering personal advice and encouragement throughout. Lee's drawings and photographs illustrate the text. There are no allusions to secrets, no reference to magic! Lee comes across as the readers biggest fan as far as encouraging people to learn kung-fu. Lee also suggests students serious students take up the study body building, judo, and other styles for variety as he has! So much for the image of the "closed door" kung fu school! All of this information is right here in this little book. Is it any wonder James Yimm Lee and Bruce Lee were fast friends? I have often thought that much of Lee's philosophy of fighting came straight from James Yimm Lee, who was a welder by trade and also built many training machines for Bruce and his own students.

James Yimm Lee, known as J.Y. Lee on this volume and as Kien Lee in his earlier edition of this volume (the original orange book called "Fighting arts of the Orient" which he followed with a volume co-authored with his Sil Lum or Shaolin teacher T.Y. Wong entitled "Chinese Karate Kung-Fu: Original Sil Lum System" before publishing this "green book") introduces what was technically his third published work. He later followed with a second volume to this one, as well as publishing Bruce Lee's "Philosophical Art of Chinese Gung Fu".

This "green book" also has a number of historic persons and photographs throughout, including a picture and information on Kenpo Man Paul Pung, who was a student of both James Mitose and Mitose's top disciple, Thomas Young (page 101). Also Judo and jiu jitsu instructor James Moynihan of Moscow, Idaho (page102-104), kenpo great Ralph Castro who studied under William Chow and Ed Parker (page 105-108), Ed Parker on page 109, Wally Jay on page 110 and the Island Judo Club on 111-113.… (lisätietoja)