Kakizome

Kakizome (Japanese書き初め, such as " first writing " ), also Kissho (吉 书) Shihatsu (试 笔) or Hatsusuzuri (初 砚), is a Japanese New Year's tradition, is typologically to the customs to the ritual first committing a certain action in new year. The central component is the production of a calligraphy whose meaning is related to the coming year, similar to a Western " good intention ". It may be be individual kanji, but also to all the poems ( haikus ).

The custom is prevalent since the Edo period, and to have been previously practiced only in the imperial palace. Traditionally, it implied that the Sumi used takes place with the first scooped water of the year and the execution in accordance with the astrological for the New Year "favorable " direction.

This calligraphy is Done on January 2, or in the days that followed, the results are presented for example in schools, the preparation is part of the holiday tasks of the student. The big event at Nippon Budokan Kakizome on January 5, has several thousand participants and is transferred annually on television.

Their end will find the works on Sagichō Festival in mid January when they are burned in the open. The burning paper flying high in the air, it will look like in person good omen.