Japanese by Example
Learning through examples in manga

Training for a judo match with 稽古

俺物語!! » Volume 2 » Page 56

Members of the judo team plea for Takeo to help them in their upcoming match against a rival high school. Takeo quickly accepts their request, but Sunakawa considers how this will impact Takeo’s new relationship with Yamato.

砂川(すなかわ):
「おまえ試合(しあい)稽古(けいこ)するんだったら しばらく大和(やまと)さんに会えなくなっちゃうんじゃない? (いっ)(げつ)くらい?」
“When you're training for the match, won't you be unable to see Yamato for a while? For about a month.”

Here, 稽古(けいこ) is used to describe training for a judo match. This term is often used in martial arts to emphasize the disciplined and traditional nature of the practice.

Unlike 練習(れんしゅう), which is more generic, 稽古(けいこ) conveys the idea of learning from past techniques and improving oneself through structured training.