Renshu = to practice

Renshu is an interesting word we use in Kiko. In modern Japanese the word renshu is most often translated as 'practice'. In Kiko we're taught that Ren = Polish or Knead, and Shu = to Learn or Study. Together they were meant to denote a repetitive ritual, a practice we repeat the same way over and over, kneading and polishing our lives as a way to learn. The repetition itself is the practice.

Exoteric and Esoteric

In the teaching passed to me, there are both Exoteric (kenkyo) and Esoteric (mikkyo) teachings. The two together create The Teaching.

The exoteric are those that we can see and talk about. The esoteric are those we don't see and only try to talk about.

Kiko exercises of position, movement, and sound bring the esoteric to the exoteric, and join them as one. By doing kiko we bring the invisible into sight, and join them as one.

Only the exoteric portion is taught, the esoteric is 'stolen' from an adept by being in their presence. Being in an adept's presence, simply, one day we understand and this understanding is recognized. The exoteric teaching says this takes 20 years, the esoteric teaching says it takes one heartbeat, both are true.

I'm beginning to see again, why this teaching is done face to face instead of on the internet; at one point I wondered if this were the case because The Teaching was being passed well before the written word, but now I think that here we can't practice the exoteric part of the exercises and movements, even describing them is difficult. We can't talk about The Teaching, because the esoteric portion once put into words no longer really makes sense, it begins to go in circles trying to include everything; everything includes even opposites, so it makes no logical sense to call two opposites true; but in terms of The Teaching, everything must be included; the most important part of 'everything' may even be 'nothing.'

Face to Face Transmission

Kiko is part of Mikkyo training inside Esoteric Buddhism. It includes over 1600 body / hand positions; each position has a root sound, a phrase, an incantation, and a chant; and each of these is attached to a Buddha or Bodhisattva and has a variety of meanings depending on how small details are performed.

Also I've been instructed to only share it face to face and in secret. Here, on the internet, I can only share the words anyhow; and it has nothing to do with the words. Kiko is really not taught but simply passed in the presence of an adept. But it should be fun to try, don't you think?

Definition

Kiko(u) = Energy Working.
Kido(u) = The Way of (vital) Energy.

The arts of Japan have roots that predate influence from the mainland. At the sametime almost everything in Japan has been infused with multiple influences from the mainland, as well.

Kiko is no different. It's roots stretch back to the dawn of humans on the archipeglio. But what we see in in the parks in Japan today mimics Chinese Chi Gong almost exactly. but Kiko in Japanese Mikkyo retained much of what went on before as well; mixing and merging ancient Japanese practices with what was brought from the mainland as well.

Japanese Culture is both what was before and what was brought. This is seen strongly in Zen. Zen is the what was created in Japan with the ancient matured in Japan through the influence of Chinese Confusionism, Buddhism, & Taoism.

Introduction

Kiko is a Japanese Mikkyo practice of movement, postures, and sounds to bring one into alignment with all that is.

Kiko is said to be an indigenous practice from the Japanese Archipelago. And I believe this is true; there are many exercises in it that I have not seen anywhere else. But I think that it is equally true that much of what is done has traveled to Japan with many practices obviously coming from Yoga, Tai Chi, and Qi Gong. In fact, today in the exoteric schools of Kiko, what I see looks just like what I think Qi Gong looks like. In our esoteric practice, however, there are many more 'older' and 'natural' pieces, that I do not see in Qi Gong, Tai Chi, or Yoga.