Yan Tong

彦 童 

(Yan-[2] Tong-[4]) is a phrase that can be interpreted to mean an “elegant and accomplished young man” or a prince. It expresses a sense of refinement and capability.

1.         彦 (yàn): represents elegance, handsomeness, and learning. It is often used to describe individuals who excel in both literature and military skills. To break the character down into its components, we see 文 (meaning “writing”) and 弓 (meaning “bow”). Last, we have the phonetic component 厂 as a part of this character.

2.         童 (tóng): It means “boy” or “young man.” It is also used to refer to a prince or a chieftain in ancient Japan.

Naturally, this phrase is not limited to males.  We know from past history through today that women often play an important part in the events of the times.  We only need to look at such examples as the Shaolin nun Ng Mui, who taught Yim Wing Chun the skills of the art that bears her name; remember too, Marie Curie, Saint Joan of Arc, Lady Godiva, Margaret Thatcher, and many, many others.

But its interesting that Yan Tong emphasizes the balance between being a scholar and a warrior.  Maestro Mike Mulconery often stressed that in his Kaji-Kumi classes in Cheyenne, Wyoming, where I was just a beginner (1974), all the way through the years since then.

Soke Jim Lloyd, God bless him for his patience and endurance while I questioned everything that I saw and heard, also stressed that learning wasn’t just about how the muscles worked, but also how a Kenpo man had to balance his mental, physical and spiritual essences. Otherwise, that Kenpo man could turn into a thug (no mental or spiritual work), a dilettante (no physical or spiritual work), or a “I-used-to-do-ka-rotty-but I quit” (no spiritual, mental or physical work) person.

Essentially, if you understand what you are supposed to be doing in the martial arts, you know that all of the facets involved (spiritual, mental, physical) are required to become, eventually, a warrior. That is where the disconnect is for way too many people.

I used to say that I wished the martial arts would just disappear little by little, until there were no more hobbyists, dilettantes, “kata” people, tournament people, weapons people, internal people, external people, and all the other subdivisions that have developed. That only serious people would be left, striving towards the goal of becoming a warrior.

In 1979, one organization in the martial arts world boasted having 7 million practitioners. That included every person from 0-98 years of age.  And that was just one organization!

I was in that system and I often wondered, looking around at my dojo-mates, how many of them would be there even 10 years later. Its now been 51+ years for me. I still have my two original teachers to call upon for guidance and advice, but mostly friendship and brotherhood. These two men are warriors and gentlemen. If you know me at all, you know that I rarely use the word “gentleman” to describe people. It is because they meet the highest standards (physical, mental, spiritual) that I try to hold as my own.

That is the way it is supposed to be.