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This word means ‘cold-practice’. It is traditionally part of the training for martial artists and classical
Japanese musicians.The idea is that by training in the most adverse of conditions such as the coldest
time of the day and year or the hottest time(shochugeiko) one learns to do ones art regardless of the conditions. An artist who could only perform in perfect conditions would not be
highly regarded. In the martial arts this is fairly practical since an attack can come at any time
in theory. It is usual to hold the Kangeiko either early in the morning or during the night with no
heating whatsoever in the place of training. A cold shower afterwards would be de rigeur.
T he Kodokan has an annual 30 day Kangeiko during the months of January and February. Whereas it may not be so difficult to get out of bed once on a freezing morning and do judo the test comes in turning up every day.The
Kangeiko is now widely used as a training method among most traditional
Japanese arts and sports.
The Kagamibiraki or Kagamibiraki-shiki was one of the main functions in the New Year festival
of old Japan. In feudal times every military family would on New Years Day, offer Kagami-mochi (two
tiers of round mirror-shaped rice cakes usually offered to the deity) to each set of armour – belonging to the sons as well as the head of the
household – and then to pray for success in future wars. On the 20th day of January, they cut these cakes into
pieces and prepare for Shiruko (red bean soup with rice cakes) and Zoni
(boiled rice cakes with vegetables), etc., then the family and guests ate
them together. With the decline of the military class this custom fell into disuse, but in some
circles it is still kept alive although modifications have been made to
suit the present times. In
the Kagamibiraki of the Kodokan the time honoured Shiruko is served to all
the members and guests present. Prior to the eating, there is an exchange of greetings between the
President and representative members. There is also a demonstration of Kata and Randori accompanied by a
customary promotion ceremony on the same programme. (from Illustrated
Kodokan Judo 1955) |