Kagami biraki 2024

The traditional new year ceremony, known as kagami biraki (鏡開き), is once again taking place at the start of 2024. Literally, this means “breaking the mirror” or “opening the mirror”. Our Aikidoka are cordially invited, as are friends, family and anyone else who is interested …

For very practical reasons, however, the aforementioned mirror was replaced by a rather tasty round rice cake. In contrast to the European belief that a broken mirror is bad luck, the opposite is true in Japan. The whole ceremony is supposed to bring good luck for our Aikido studies in the following year.

This is why this ceremony is not only held at the beginning of the year – in Japan, traditionally on 11 January -, but also at weddings, sporting events, opening ceremonies, etc. In the dojo or in the martial arts, kagami biraki is normally held at the same time as the first training session of the year.

For organisational reasons, however, we only celebrate on 15 January 2024, during our regular Monday training, starting at 6.30 pm.

Everyone who is willing to will have the opportunity to demonstrate their Aikido skills at the embu (演武, martial arts demonstration). This will be followed by the even cosier part, with sake (酒, rice wine) or juice and mochi (餅, rice cake) for everyone.

The kagami biraki is also an opportunity for (your) family, friends and anyone interested to get an impression of our Aikido. Afterwards, we can sit together and have a relaxed chat.

I am looking forward to seeing you there.
F.S.