Renshu (練習) vs Keiko (稽古)

Here are two similar Japanese terms: RENSHU and KEIKO.
- RENSHU (練習) is to practice on your own, rote repetition, polish your technique.
- KEIKO (稽古) is a lesson in class under the sensei’s guidance. Keiko implies study for a deeper understanding of your technique. It often involves hands-on training, working bunkai (analysis; disassembly; examination) of fighting techniques found within your kata.

We have been unable do to hands-on training during COVID. No kumite… no ippons… mostly basics and kata, and for change of pace, kata and basics. We have grabbed sticks to simulate arms and legs. We have discussed how a move works. As someone once said: It’s like trying to fill your hunger by reading a menu. You get it in theory, but it’s not really satisfying.

On the positive side, we polished our basics, learned new kata, and honed our techniques. Now that pandemic restrictions are lifting, we can take these new, improved techniques and start applying them on each other in more realistic scenarios.

Our restricted training and Zoom effectively served a limited purpose. It kept us from rusting or forgetting our Karate. The best news is that better days are ahead. To be ready, to stay ready, follow what I usually shout out at the end of class: PRACTICE!

The Herbert Rule

At the old Baldwin dojo we had a sharp kid named Herbert Kwok. He was a good student, very intelligent, who made it up to Brown Belt in April, 2006.

One day we were working the three Tekki katas and one of the Brown Belts posed this question: Why does yame in Tekki Sho step in halfway with the right foot as your hands come out, step in the rest of the way with the left foot as your hands come together, and step out with the left foot to finish yame. Then Tekki Ni yame steps in halfway with the left foot, the rest of the way in with the right foot, then out with the left foot to finish yame. Then Tekki San ends like Tekki Sho – in halfway right, in left, out left. Hmmm… good question.

Other schools may yoi and yame different from us, but we have always been consistent since at least 1972. We yoi stepping in with the left foot, and then out with the left foot. Yame, with rare exception, ends the same way, stepping in and out with the left foot. A notable exception is Heian Sandan. The last stance being a wide kibba dachi, we step in halfway with the right leg, then do a regular left-left yame. Back to the question posed: All three Tekki katas end in kibba dachi, so it makes sense to step in halfway before doing a standard yame. Why is Tekki Ni different from the other two? I dunno… to be different? Maybe to keep you alert?

That’s when young Herbert piped up: It’s determined by the final kata attack. Whutchu talkin’ ‘bout Herbert? He then proceeded to show how all katas through San Kyu yame with the leg on the attacking side. Aha! But what about Heian Sandan? You throw a left punch, but yame with the right leg, so there! Herbert said it’s a left hook punch over the right shoulder, making it a right side attack, so yame starts with the right leg. The kid had an idea, held his ground, and proved his premise correct. This may not be the reason for yame, but it’s a great way to remind you which leg moves in for yame. Since that day, I refer to this idea as the ‘Herbert rule’.