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==Early life==
==Early life==
Lee was born on January 31, 1920 in [[Oakland, California]]. He was a welder by profession. He joined the [[United States Army]] in August 1944.<ref name=master>Campbell, Sid and Lee, Greglon Yimm. ''Remembering the Master'': Bruce Lee, James Yimm Lee and the Creation of Jeet Kune Do'', Blue Snake Books, Berkeley, California, 2006, pages 162-163. {{ISBN|1-58394-148-7}}.</ref> After basic training, he was stationed at [[Fort Knox]], Kentucky for radio operator school.<ref name=master/> In January 1945, he was deployed to the Philippine Islands for about a year while part of the 716th Tank Battalion and fought in the Luzon and Mindanao campaigns.<ref name=master/> In January 1946, he was sent to the Letterman Hospital, San Francisco, California due to recurring bouts of Malaria.<ref name=master/> He became a private first class and was assigned to 801st Military Police Battalion in San Francisco, California.<ref name=master/>
Lee was born on January 31, 1920, in [[Oakland, California]]. He was a welder by profession. He joined the [[United States Army]] in August 1944. After basic training, he was stationed at [[Fort Knox]], Kentucky for radio operator school. In January 1945, he was deployed to the Philippine Islands for about a year while part of the 716th Tank Battalion and fought in the [[Battle of Luzon]] and [[Battle of Mindanao]] campaigns. In January 1946, he was sent to the [[Letterman Army Hospital]], San Francisco, California due to recurring bouts of [[malaria]]. He became a private first class and was assigned to 801st Military Police Battalion in San Francisco, California.<ref name=master>Campbell, Sid and Lee, Greglon Yimm. ''Remembering the Master: Bruce Lee, James Yimm Lee and the Creation of Jeet Kune Do'', [[Blue Snake Books]], Berkeley, California, 2006, pages 162-163. {{ISBN|1-58394-148-7}}.</ref>


==Career==
==Career==
He was one of [[Bruce Lee]]'s (no relation) three personally certified 3rd rank instructors and co-founded the Jun Fan Gung Fu Institute in [[Oakland]] where he taught Jun Fan Gung Fu in Bruce's absence. James was responsible for introducing Bruce Lee to [[Ed Parker]], the organizer of the [[Long Beach International Karate Championships]] where Bruce was first introduced to the martial arts community.
He was one of [[Bruce Lee]]'s (no relation) three personally certified 3rd rank instructors and co-founded the Jun Fan Gung Fu Institute in [[Oakland]] where he taught Jun Fan Gung Fu in Bruce's absence. James was responsible for introducing Bruce Lee to [[Ed Parker]], the organizer of the [[Long Beach International Karate Championships]] where Bruce was first introduced to the martial arts community.{{citation needed|date=April 2024}}


James Lee became well known for his [[Iron Palm]] specialty, and would routinely break bricks at demonstrations. He was the first to publish an Iron Palm book in America in 1957.
James Lee became well known for his [[Iron Palm]] specialty, and would routinely break bricks at demonstrations. He was the first to publish an Iron Palm book in America in 1957.{{citation needed|date=April 2024}}


He and [[Linda Emery|Linda Lee]] were eyewitnesses of the fight between Bruce Lee and [[Wong Jack-man]] held privately at Chinatown, Oakland in 1964.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://m.fightland.vice.com/blog/bruce-lee-vs-wong-jack-man-fact-fiction-and-the-birth-of-the-dragon|title=Bruce Lee vs. Wong Jack-man: Fact, Fiction and the Birth of the Dragon|website=[[Fightland]]|language=en|access-date=2019-12-13}}</ref>
He and [[Linda Emery|Linda Lee]] were eyewitnesses of the fight between Bruce Lee and [[Wong Jack-man]] held privately at Chinatown, Oakland in 1964.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://m.fightland.vice.com/blog/bruce-lee-vs-wong-jack-man-fact-fiction-and-the-birth-of-the-dragon|title=Bruce Lee vs. Wong Jack-man: Fact, Fiction and the Birth of the Dragon|website=[[Fightland]]|language=en|access-date=2019-12-13|archive-date=2019-12-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213184318/http://fightland.vice.com/blog/bruce-lee-vs-wong-jack-man-fact-fiction-and-the-birth-of-the-dragon|url-status=dead}}</ref>


==Books==
==Books==
Lee was a well-established author and was one of the first to publish martial arts books in English in America. He also helped [[Bruce Lee]] publish his first book, "[[Chinese Gung-Fu: The Philosophical Art of Self Defense]]." James Lee's published books include: ''Modern Kung-Fu Karate: Iron Poison Hand Training, Book 1 (Break Brick in 100 Days)'',<ref>{{cite book|last=Lee|first=James|year=1962|title=Modern Kung-Fu Karate: Iron Poison Hand Training, Book 1 (Break Brick in 100 Days)|publisher=ABRAMS Publishing |edition=4th edition (April 1990) |isbn=978-0-317-02839-3}}</ref> ''Wing Chun Kung-Fu '',<ref>{{cite book|last=Lee|first=James|url=https://archive.org/details/pdfy-mvwirnj1fxzzT9nP/mode/2up|title=Wing Chun Kung-Fu|publisher=Ohara Publications|year=1972|edition=First|asin=B0006C4USK}}</ref> and ''Secret Fighting Arts of the Orient''.
Lee was a well-established author and was one of the first to publish martial arts books in English in America. He also helped [[Bruce Lee]] publish his first book, "[[Chinese Gung-Fu: The Philosophical Art of Self Defense]]." James Lee's published books include: ''Modern Kung-Fu Karate: Iron Poison Hand Training, Book 1 (Break Brick in 100 Days)'',<ref>{{cite book|last=Lee|first=James|year=1962|title=Modern Kung-Fu Karate: Iron Poison Hand Training, Book 1 (Break Brick in 100 Days)|publisher=ABRAMS Publishing |edition=4th edition (April 1990) |isbn=978-0-317-02839-3}}</ref> ''Wing Chun Kung-Fu '',<ref>{{cite book|last=Lee|first=James|url=https://archive.org/details/pdfy-mvwirnj1fxzzT9nP/mode/2up|title=Wing Chun Kung-Fu|publisher=Ohara Publications|year=1972|edition=First|asin=B0006C4USK}}</ref> and ''Secret Fighting Arts of the Orient''.{{citation needed|date=April 2024}}


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Lee married Katherine Margaret Chow in October 13, 1951 in [[Nevada]], they had at least two children, a daughter Karena Lee and a son Greglon Yimm Lee.
Lee married Katherine Margaret Chow on October 13, 1951, in [[Nevada]], they had at least two children, a daughter Karena Lee and a son Greglon Yimm Lee.{{citation needed|date=April 2024}}


[[Jesse Glover]] was introduced to Chinese [[Kung Fu]] by James Lee during a trip before meeting [[Bruce Lee]] in 1959.<ref>''Bruce Lee : between Wing Chun and Jeet Kune Do'', Jesse Glover</ref>
[[Jesse Glover]] was introduced to Chinese [[Kung Fu]] by James Lee during a trip before meeting [[Bruce Lee]] in 1959.<ref>''Bruce Lee : between Wing Chun and Jeet Kune Do'', Jesse Glover</ref>
Line 94: Line 94:


==Notable students==
==Notable students==
{{unreferenced section|date=April 2024}}
*[[Robert Baker (martial artist)|Robert Baker]]
*[[Robert Baker (martial artist)|Robert Baker]]
*[[Howard Williams (martial artist)|Howard Williams]]
*[[Howard Williams (martial artist)|Howard Williams]]
*[[Gene Snelling]]
*[[Gene Snelling]]
*[[Al Novak]]
*[[Al Novak]]
*[[Gary Dill]]
*[[Gary Dill]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.californiajkd.com/JKD%20history.htm|title=Felix Macias Sr. & Jr. Interview|date=June 2002|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714112213/http://jkdoakland.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/MaciasGungFu-1.jpg|archive-date=July 14, 2019}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
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*[https://www.usadojo.com/james-yimm-lee/ James Yimm Lee biography]
*[https://www.usadojo.com/james-yimm-lee/ James Yimm Lee biography]
*[http://plumpub.com/info/Fun/fs_jameslee.html <s>Karate</s>, make that Kung Fu]
*[http://plumpub.com/info/Fun/fs_jameslee.html <s>Karate</s>, make that Kung Fu]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20190714113623/http://seinenkai.com/articles/noble/noble-books2.html The West Learns About The 'Empty Hand']
*{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20190714113623/http://seinenkai.com/articles/noble/noble-books2.html The West Learns About The 'Empty Hand']}}
([[Wayback Machine]] copy)
([[Wayback Machine]] copy)


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[[Category:1920 births]]
[[Category:1920 births]]
[[Category:1972 deaths]]
[[Category:1972 deaths]]
[[Category:American martial arts writers]]
[[Category:Martial arts writers]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Oakland, California]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Oakland, California]]
[[Category:Writers from Oakland, California]]
[[Category:Writers from Oakland, California]]
[[Category:20th-century American non-fiction writers]]
[[Category:20th-century American non-fiction writers]]
[[Category:Sportswriters from California]]
[[Category:Sportswriters from California]]
[[Category:Deaths from lung cancer]]
[[Category:Deaths from lung cancer in California]]
[[Category:Deaths from cancer in California]]
[[Category:United States Army soldiers]]
[[Category:United States Army soldiers]]
[[Category:United States Army personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:United States Army personnel of World War II]]

Latest revision as of 02:00, 21 December 2024

James Yimm Lee
Instructor of chinese martial arts[1]
Born(1920-01-31)January 31, 1920
Oakland, California
DiedDecember 30, 1972(1972-12-30) (aged 52)
Hayward, California
Lung cancer
Native name嚴鏡海
ResidenceCalifornia
StyleWing Chun
Jun Fan Gung Fu
Iron Palm
Jop Sil
Boxing
Teacher(s)T.Y. Wong
Bruce Lee
Rank3
Other information
Occupationmartial artist, welder, US Army veteran
Spouse
Katherine Chow
​
​
(m. 1951; died 1964)​
Children
  • Karena Lee (daughter)
  • Greglon Lee (son)
Notable studentsRobert Baker
Howard Williams
Gene Snelling
Al Novak
Gary Dill
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese嚴鏡海
Simplified Chinese严镜海
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinYán Jìnghǎi

James Yimm Lee (January 31, 1920 – December 30, 1972) was an American martial arts pioneer, teacher, author, and publisher. James Lee is known for being a mentor, teacher and friend of Bruce Lee.

Early life

[edit]

Lee was born on January 31, 1920, in Oakland, California. He was a welder by profession. He joined the United States Army in August 1944. After basic training, he was stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky for radio operator school. In January 1945, he was deployed to the Philippine Islands for about a year while part of the 716th Tank Battalion and fought in the Battle of Luzon and Battle of Mindanao campaigns. In January 1946, he was sent to the Letterman Army Hospital, San Francisco, California due to recurring bouts of malaria. He became a private first class and was assigned to 801st Military Police Battalion in San Francisco, California.[2]

Career

[edit]

He was one of Bruce Lee's (no relation) three personally certified 3rd rank instructors and co-founded the Jun Fan Gung Fu Institute in Oakland where he taught Jun Fan Gung Fu in Bruce's absence. James was responsible for introducing Bruce Lee to Ed Parker, the organizer of the Long Beach International Karate Championships where Bruce was first introduced to the martial arts community.[citation needed]

James Lee became well known for his Iron Palm specialty, and would routinely break bricks at demonstrations. He was the first to publish an Iron Palm book in America in 1957.[citation needed]

He and Linda Lee were eyewitnesses of the fight between Bruce Lee and Wong Jack-man held privately at Chinatown, Oakland in 1964.[3]

Books

[edit]

Lee was a well-established author and was one of the first to publish martial arts books in English in America. He also helped Bruce Lee publish his first book, "Chinese Gung-Fu: The Philosophical Art of Self Defense." James Lee's published books include: Modern Kung-Fu Karate: Iron Poison Hand Training, Book 1 (Break Brick in 100 Days),[4] Wing Chun Kung-Fu ,[5] and Secret Fighting Arts of the Orient.[citation needed]

Personal life

[edit]

Lee married Katherine Margaret Chow on October 13, 1951, in Nevada, they had at least two children, a daughter Karena Lee and a son Greglon Yimm Lee.[citation needed]

Jesse Glover was introduced to Chinese Kung Fu by James Lee during a trip before meeting Bruce Lee in 1959.[6]

His wife Katherine died in 1964.[7]

Death

[edit]

James Lee died aged 52 on 30 December 1972 due to lung cancer caused by welding fumes,[8] only about 7 months before the death of Bruce Lee.

Notable students

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Kung Fu Tea Blog from Gregglon Lee in the Book Striking Distance : Bruce Lee and the dawn of martial arts[1]
  2. ^ Campbell, Sid and Lee, Greglon Yimm. Remembering the Master: Bruce Lee, James Yimm Lee and the Creation of Jeet Kune Do, Blue Snake Books, Berkeley, California, 2006, pages 162-163. ISBN 1-58394-148-7.
  3. ^ "Bruce Lee vs. Wong Jack-man: Fact, Fiction and the Birth of the Dragon". Fightland. Archived from the original on 2019-12-13. Retrieved 2019-12-13.
  4. ^ Lee, James (1962). Modern Kung-Fu Karate: Iron Poison Hand Training, Book 1 (Break Brick in 100 Days) (4th edition (April 1990) ed.). ABRAMS Publishing. ISBN 978-0-317-02839-3.
  5. ^ Lee, James (1972). Wing Chun Kung-Fu (First ed.). Ohara Publications. ASIN B0006C4USK.
  6. ^ Bruce Lee : between Wing Chun and Jeet Kune Do, Jesse Glover
  7. ^ [2] Archived 2009-11-30 at the Wayback Machine USA Dojo biography, James Yimm Lee
  8. ^ Gary Dill, (April 21, 2014) Black Belt Magazine, Meet James Yimm Lee, the Man who Helped Make Bruce Lee a Success, Archived at the Wayback Machine
[edit]

(Wayback Machine copy)

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