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The cook monk Dairyo, at Bankei's monastery, decided that he would take good care of his old teacher's health and give him only fresh miso, a paste of soy beans mixed with wheat and yeast that often ferments. Bankei, noticing that he was being served better miso than his pupils, asked: "Who is the cook today?"

Dairyo was sent before him. Bankei learned that according to his age and position he should eat only fresh miso. So he said to the cook: "Then you think I shouldn't eat at all." With this he entered his room and locked the door.

Dairyo, sitting outside the door, asked his teacher's pardon. Bankei would not answer. For seven days Dairyo sat outside and Bankei within.

Finally in desperation an adherent called loudly to Bankei: "You may be all right, old teacher, but this young disciple here has to eat. He cannot go without food forever!"

At that Bankei opened the door. He was smiling. He told Dairyo: "I insist on eating the same food as the least of my followers. When you become the teacher I do not want you to forget this."
 
Renshu Ichi Kumite PDF Print E-mail
Level of Difficulty: 7th Kyu and Above - Yellow/Orange Belt

The Renshu series of Yakusoku Kumite are taught to the advanced beginner Budoka after they have consolidated the basic techniques and material at the white belt level. Renshu Kumite Ichi and Ni are generally taught when the student is learning their second Kata, namely Nijushiho.

Both Nijushiho Kata and the Renshu Kumites focus on very light techniques performed from a Cat Stance. Whereas the Naihanchin Kata and Gohono Kumites focus on long lateral movements, this level of study focuses on fast circular techniques, particularly in escaping. Both Nijushiho and the Renshu Kumites reinforce this perspective. In this regard, this level can be seen as very Shorinjiryu in nature as the student is learning to move quickly on their feet, a characteristic of all Shorinjiryu systems.

The Renshu Kumite(s) are intermediate level kumites by nature, as shown by the video below. They focus on developing the previous basic techniques into more fluid steps that have greater speed and swifter movement.

Naturally as with all the other material determination and perseverence will pay off and help the student to consolidate the knowledge contained within these exercises.

At this level of study the step-by-step nature of kumite practice should be disappearing and a more harmonious flow should be developing. If the student feels that the swifter movement is not developing then they might want to go back to the earlier material and focus again and review their basic stances and movements. Without a strong understanding of the basic stances further development will be hindered.

Below you see Shihan Henderson and Shihan York performing Renshu Ichi kumite including the proper entrance along with the proper bowing form. Notice that both the formal bow and fighting bow are performed. Also notice that there is an offensive and defensive side to the kumite, as with all kumites, and that the offensive side (Shihan York) moves forward while the defensive side (Shihan Henderson) moves back. At the end of the Kumite, the footing is reversed so that the players are positioned roughly in the same position from where they began. This is an important element in the correct performance of Kumite practice. Also notice that the Kumite starts off in a Cat Stance whereas the earlier Gohono Kumites began with the Horse Stance.

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Renshu Ichi Kumite

 
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