David
Yan
By
J. Justin Meehan
Having studied the martial arts of China for over 35 years, I have come to understand that martial virtue (Wu De) is just as important as martial ability. This emphasis on character was displayed clearly in the Academy Award winning movie, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. While many of us are familiar with displays of martial prowess in the popular movies of Jackie Chan and Jet LI, we seldom see examples or demonstrations of martial virtues. The traditional Chinese martial virtues were designed to restrain the use of martial skills, not to promote belligerent behavior.
Martial virtues were essential to learning the martial arts in China. Practically, because of the dangerousness of the martial arts, students could not be taught unless they agreed to be responsible. A code of behavior similar in some respects to the ideals of European Chivalry developed. Personal honor was in some ways more important than winning at any cost. This is the opposite of what most of us see in sports today, where good sportsmanship is no longer considered important in professional sports.
Chinese martial values reflected Confucian values. The martial arts school was considered a family and the relationship between teacher and student was as strong, if not stronger, than that of parent and child. Emphasis was placed on dedication, hard work, study, practice and devoted loyalty to one's school and teacher. Examples of this are found in such movies as Farewell My Concubine, Iron and Silk, and even Bruce Lee's Chinese Connection.
Most people today consider such selfless dedication to be old fashioned and out of date in a modern, capitalist society. However, there are others who believe that it is "better to light one candle than to curse the darkness." But where can we find such examples in our modern day lives? Often it seems that we can only celebrate the heroic deeds of the past in reenacting scenes from Chinese Opera during special occasions such as our own St. Louis Chinese Cultural Celebration held last May 2002 in the Missouri Botanical Gardens.
I took my son to see the Legend of Mount Hua presented by St. Louis Modern Chinese School
and re-enacted by local Chinese students who gave up their own time in order to pass on these legacies of Chinese history. While the stories are always entertaining, their primary purpose is to pass along the wisdom and values of
5000 years of continuous Chinese culture from generation to generation. They are the opposite of modern movies and TV shows of today that only seek to entertain. The Chinese opera uses history and legend to educate and to impart moral instruction.
In the Legend of Mount Hua, Parkway South High School student, David
Yan, played the part of the mortal hero. Mu Lian, who was willing to fight even the armies of heaven to rescue his mother, the Jade Princess. The Opera is full of exciting martial art sequences which delighted the audience, who could not resist the heroism of a son willing to fight against heaven in order to rescue his mother.
Having been to the Chinese Opera in Beijing and having met many real martial art masters over my 35 years of study, it is not often that I am really moved or surprised. But during the final fight sequence, just as Mu Lian was turning back the onslaught of the Heavenly armies to save his mother before something terrible happened, David Yan, the student portraying Mu Lian was wounded on the neck by a spear. I think I saw it sooner than anyone and sat with my mouth open in shock as I saw the wound open on the young hero's neck and the blood start to flow down onto his costume.
There was a slight movement when the action stopped and actors and audience froze in anticipation of what would happen next. In the moment before everyone would normally expect the curtain to drop and the actors to run off the stage, Mu Lian unleashed his sword as rehearsed and continued to fight. He fought for the Jade Princess; he fought for his family; he fought for his fellow students; he fought for the audience and he fought for the traditional values of Chinese culture. I must confess that I had tears in my eyes as I joined the audience in their applause for this New Martial Hero, who had saved the day for all involved.
These things do not happen every day. Mu Lian, I mean David Yan's courage was the product of a noble heart, a martial spirit and a family that believed enough in the values of Chinese culture to pass them along to their son. As a martial artist and teacher with over 35 years experience, I just wanted to thank David Yan for teaching me, not by words, but by action, the true meaning of martial virtue. I am sure he will succeed with honor at whatever endeavors he sets his mind and heart to do.
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