Hatsugeiko, which is closely tied to Kagami Biraki (鏡開き), is the first training session of a chosen art in the New Year and sets the tone for the remainder of the year. Thus, one will perform to the best of one’s ability taking this first performance of the year very seriously. It will define who one is, if one has mastered his art, or where one is on the road to mastery. It is also a signal to others and yourself that you wish to carry on how you started for the new year - training sincerely.
A budo dojo can do special hatsugeiko (first practice of the year) as part of the kagami biraki, perhaps doing 100 front kicks or 100 punches, or 1,000 something or others. Or you could do an embu (demonstration) for each other, not tested, ranked or rated. It would be just a demo so that everyone can give each other and the gods an offering of their techniques in thanks for what they have learned in the past, and with hope that they will keep on being healthy and happy in the future. Again, what makes the training special isn’t particularly what you do, it is just that it is the first practice of the year, and it’s symbolically an offering to the dojo’s spirit and one’s own religious/spiritual deities as thanks for having helped you to survive the old year, and hopes that the new year will bring good luck, health and happiness.
In the two dojo I have been part of, there has been no big fanfare for the first training session. It is merely a continuation of the training from the year before. However, those that show up for the first training of the year are often the serious students, those who see their martial arts journey as more than a simple hobby. This is not to devalue those who don't make the training session. January in New Zealand is peak summer holiday season so many people are still away with family and family is important.
At the Yoshin Wadokan (my TSYR dojo) we started the year slowly. Sensei simply put out an email saying we are training on Monday and Wednesday of this week, for "those who can make it". I made it to the Wednesday session (which was last night). There were four of us. Wednesday is sword work night. We bow in with our swords and start our battojutsu practice. There is an atmosphere of quiet intensity as we work through our kata at our own pace, with the occasional correction from sensei. Is is a subdued, sincere practice, and this is normal for a Wednesday night. Then, we put down our swords, pick up our bokken and begin partner practice. Now the dojo is filled with the sound of kiai and wood cracking on wood as we forge ourselves with the kata. It is hot in New Zealand, and humid, so we are sweating in no time. Sensei often uses these small classes to impart some important concept he is working on and gets us to try it. Always refining, always working on the edge of our limits. Incrementally improving. After an hour and a half, we put down our bokken, pick up our swords and formally bow out. We get changed and then clean down the mat space.
I woke up this morning feeling very flat. My body is not sore, but tired. TSYR requires a certain type of internal mechanics that can be demanding on bone and sinew when not practiced often. It is hard to describe, but it is like my tendons and ligaments are tired. I am happy though, always happy to get another training session in. Happy to be consistent in my practice.
The first training of the year is always a chance to knock out the cobwebs and make a promise to myself, that this will continue into the year - this practice.
