On Sunday, January 5th, the annual New Year Calligraphy Competition was held at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, Japan. Thousands of calligraphy enthusiasts from different age groups across the country gathered to express their sentiments through brush and ink on the special paper known as “hoseki,” creating their first strokes of the new year and depicting their visions of beauty and hope.
This event, now in its 61st year, is a traditional activity to welcome the new year. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the competition was not held for the past three years, making this year’s gathering even more special. Participants were carefully selected from various regions in Japan, encompassing a wide range of ages from young children to elderly individuals in their eighties and nineties. The majority of contestants are usually students, and each year, the competition attracts around 3,000 participants.
According to the organizers, participants of different age groups were tasked with writing different phrases within a time limit of 24 minutes. Once the competition concluded, all participants proudly displayed their calligraphy works to the audience from all directions, creating a spectacular sight of creativity and skill.
After the submission of their works, the judges will spend several days evaluating and selecting the best pieces. In Japan, the first action taken in the new year is often considered auspicious, with the first calligraphy stroke believed to be the best way to express hopes and wishes for the year ahead. Furthermore, calligraphy, an art form originating from China, holds a special place in Japanese culture, being deeply cherished and respected by the people.