Kagami Biraki

VENUE CHANGE:

Kagami Biraki will be held at: La Luz, 135 Thames St, Brooklyn, NY 11237

Kagami Biraki is a traditional Japanese New Year celebration. It dates back to the 15th century, when the new year was celebrated by men making offerings of mochi (flat rice cakes) to their armor and women to their mirrors [1].

Kagami Biraki is literally translated as “open mirror” or “mirror opening” or “rice cutting ceremony.” It is rooted in the legend of a cruel deity, banished by the other gods for his behavior. This deity eventually took refuge in a secluded cave where he found a mirror-like object. The mirror forced him to examine himself and reflect on his evil deeds. After many years of self-contemplation, he

emerged as a changed deity [1].

The Kagami Biraki celebration and this spirit of self-reflection has been adopted by many Japanese martial arts dojo. It is typically held on the second Saturday or Sunday of the New Year and is celebrated in many ways, but primarily with intense training that reaffirms and renews practitioners‘ commitment to their art, and as a way to begin the New Year with a renewed spirit.  

From January 11-13, 2013, Aikido of South Brooklyn will host a Kagami Biraki seminar with Andrew Sato sensei, rokudan, head instructor of the Aikido World Alliance and Kiku Matsu dojo, Chicago, IL. Click here for registration information.

Sato Sensei is a full-time Aikido instructor and the former Chief Instructor of the Aikido Association of America/Aikido Association International (AAA/AAI), and Tenshinkan dojo, headquarter dojo for the AAA.

Sato Sensei began his aikido training in 1977 under Fumio Toyoda Shihan, first as a member of the Ki Aikido Society, then as a member of the AAA/AAI. During his tenure as Chief Instructor for the AAA/AAI, he traveled extensively throughout Europe and the United States passing on the methodology and teachings of Toyoda Shihan's Aikido. In 2005, Sato Sensei parted ways with the AAA/AAI. To further develop his own understanding of Aikido and to support others who have asked him to continue teaching, Sato Sensei and a small group of dedicated dojos have created a new organization: the Aikido World Alliance (AWA), headquartered in Chicago at Kiku Matsu dojo. In 2012, the AWA was affiliated with the Aikikai Foundation, Aikido World Headquarters.

Please visit our Facebook page for videos of Sato Sensei teaching and pictures from past events.

This activity is not sponsored or endorsed by the New York City Department of Education or the City of New York.

1. Caile C. Kagami Biraki. http://www.shitoryu.org/heritage/kagami_biraki.htm. Accessed October 15, 2012.