Why red and white stripes in enbukai?

[Benkei the Monk]

Dear fellows,
I'd like to ask about one particular during enbukai. I often saw that there are pieces of red an white fabric, as you can see in these images

http://www.tuat.ac.jp/~aikidou/img/enbukai.jpg

http://home.att.ne.jp/red/ku/aiki/pic/budokan2.jpg

Could someone explain why those colours are chosen and their meaning?

Thanks a lot!

[George Kohler]

Sun rays maybe?

[fifthchamber]

The colours come from a tradition of using red to represent the Taira, and white to represent the Minamoto families and their armies.

It is basically a way of defining sides while paying homage to the founding clans of the Japanese shogunate, the banners are used in nearly all ceremonies here in Japan, not only martial arts ones, but they have a particular meaning in Budo terms..

The two colours now have the meaning of joyfullness and are used at times when it is appropriate to be happy, graduations, weddings, enbu etc...Their corresponding colours for sadness are black, white and occasionally grey (Used for funerals and other such sad events).

慶事　(Keiji) events use red and white, the meaning is "auspicious or a happy event"

And 弔事　(Chouji) are times for condolence and use primarily black and white colours..

(As an aside, the colours red and white also represent the idea of "attack" and "giving up" and so the colour white was used to surrender to the occupation forces in Okinawa at the end of the Pacific campaign in the fourties..)

Regards

[Lance Gatling]

Ben's right on the money, as usual. The red and white are often used to designate the two sides in a Japanese competition, not just martial arts, and the colors are very significant for formal occaisons.

In the 'old days' during intra-ryu competitions, the opposing teams would be designed Minamoto and Taira, with the appropriate colors - or, like most modern competitions, with perhaps only a red cloth or belt for one competitor. Judoka wear it around their waist, kendoka hanging off their mask.

Think of the classic competitive pairings in history: Blue and Grey (US Civil War), Roundheads and Tories (English Civil War), etc., and that would give you an idea of the background for the teaming.

Even today, the Kodokan's internal, regular shiai are called kohaku jiai, 紅白試合、in English Red and White Tournaments.

I went to a New Year celebration at the Budokan, and the place was festooned with 紅白幕, kohaku maku, red and white curtains, which is what you asked about.

The 紅白帯 kohaku obi are the red and white belts traditionally used by judoka and some karatedoka 6-8th dan. I guess the symbology changes with this use.

[Enfield]

kendoka hanging off their mask.Tasuki are attached to the cords of the do where they cross on the upper back, not to the men.

[Benkei the Monk]

Thanks to all of you for the answers. They are very cleare and I was able to understand the meaning of the curtains and much more than I expected. Thanks a lot :)

[SBreheney]

"Kohaku Maku" also sometimes decorate Zen temples at important transitional ceremonies such as "Shuso Hossen."