Year's End/New Year's Beginning

Keiko osame [稽古修め]

The characters/ideograms mean "last practice of year." The first character means, "think; consider," the second character means, "old," the third character means, "discipline; conduct oneself well; study; master." 

The year end practice is a time to reflect on what you have accomplished (or not), what needs to be improved, what and to who you are thankful to in your Budo training. An evening of cleaning, meditation, training, and purification, all in preparation for the coming New Year.

Hatsu geiko [初稽古]

The characters/ideograms mean "first practice of year." The first character means, "first time; beginning," the second character means, "think; consider," the third character means, "old."

The years beginning practice is a time for setting new goals and establishing the proper mental, maintaining your relationship with the dojo, and setting the physical and spiritual attitude of your practice for that year. New Year's training, which lasts several days and finishes with competitions and special events.