Saturday, January 16, 2016 at 10 AM – 2 PM
Palo Alto Buddhist Temple
2751 Louis Rd, Palo Alto, California 94303
Forty five years ago, Professor Keiko Fukuda brought a traditional New Year’s celebration from the Kodokan to her Judo Club in San Francisco. This celebration is called Kagami Biraki.
In Japan, many of us grew up being told by our parents an old Japanese expression, “Ichi nen no kei wa gantah ni ari”. That meant how we start January will reflect on our success for the rest of the year. Sensei Fukuda strongly believed that we should celebrate Kagami biraki for a successful year in Judo.
At the Kodokan, the world headquarters of Judo, Kagami Baraki is celebrated each year on the Saturday of the third weekend in January. The celebration at the Kodokan includes demonstrations of kata and randori followed by the eating of shiruko, soft sweet red beans and rice cakes.
In the beginning years Soko Joshi was the only club participating. Now it has expanded to include 3 clubs, Palo Alto Judo Club, San Jose Buddhist Judo Club and Soko Joshi Judo Club.
As we all work together we can keep this special traditional Kagami biraki for many years to come. I am looking forward to seeing you on January 16, 2016.
Best wishes,
Eiko Saito Shepherd 7th Dan