Writing the New Year: Inside Japan’s Kakizome Tradition
In the quiet, crisp air of early January, millions of people across Japan sit down in seiza (traditional kneeling position), take a deep breath, and dip a brush into fresh black ink. They are not merely practicing handwriting; they are engaging in Kakizome (書き初め), literally translated as “first writing.” This profound cultural event, held traditionally on January 2nd, represents the “Determination of First Writing”—a ritual where intentions, dreams, and resolutions for the New Year are committed to paper with bold, sweeping strokes.
For travelers and culture enthusiasts, understanding Kakizome offers a unique window into the Japanese mindset regarding discipline, aesthetics, and the spiritual renewal of the New Year.
Origins: From Imperial Court to Edo Schools
The roots of Kakizome run deep into Japanese history, originating in the Imperial Court during the Heian period (794–1185). Initially, it was a ceremony known as Kissho-hajime (first lucky event) or Shihitsu (first brush), practiced exclusively by the aristocracy and emperors. They would compose waka poetry to celebrate the New Year, hoping for prosperity and peace within the realm.
However, the tradition did not remain behind palace walls forever. During the Edo period (1603–1867), Japan saw a surge in literacy and education through Terakoya (temple schools). As education became accessible to the merchant and farming classes, Kakizome spread to the general populace. It became a vital annual rite for students to demonstrate their calligraphy progress to their masters. The date, January 2nd, was solidified during this era, as it was considered an auspicious day to begin lessons and artistic endeavors.
The Legend of Wakamizu and the Flying Paper
While Kakizome is a practice of skill, it is steeped in spiritual superstition and legend. The ritual preparation of the ink is just as important as the writing itself. According to tradition, one must use Wakamizu (young water)—the very first water drawn from the well on the morning of New Year’s Day. Folklore dictates that ink ground with this sacred water fills the calligraphy with spiritual energy.
Furthermore, the destiny of the written paper is tied to the Sagicho festival (also known as Dondo-yaki), a fire festival held typically on January 15th. During this event, New Year’s decorations and Kakizome papers are burned in a large bonfire.
The Legend of the Rising Ash: The legend says that if the burning paper of your Kakizome is caught by the heat and flies high into the sky, your handwriting skill—and consequently your intellect—will improve drastically in the coming year. Watching the charred remains of one’s resolution ascend toward the heavens is a moment of magic, symbolizing the wish reaching the gods.
Modern Culture: Budokan and Personal Resolutions
Today, Kakizome remains a staple of the Japanese New Year (Oshogatsu). It is commonly assigned as winter break homework for elementary and junior high school students. While the ancient courts wrote poetry, modern participants typically write Yojijukugo (four-character idiomatic phrases) or auspicious words that reflect their “Determination of First Writing.”
Common phrases include:
- Shingan-joju (心願成就): Realization of one’s heartfelt wishes.
- Aratanaketsui (新たな決意): New determination.
- Seishin-toitsu (精神統一): Mental concentration.
The scale of modern Kakizome can be breathtaking. The most famous public event is the All Japan Kakizome Grand Exhibition held at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo. Here, thousands of participants, ranging from toddlers to the elderly, gather in the massive arena to write simultaneously in silence. The sound of thousands of brushes touching paper creates a powerful atmosphere of collective focus.
Traveler’s Tips: Experiencing the Ink
If you find yourself in Japan during the first weeks of January, you have several ways to witness or participate in this tradition.
- Visit Major Shrines: Shrines dedicated to Tenjin (the deity of scholarship), such as Kitano Tenmangu in Kyoto or Yushima Tenjin in Tokyo, often hold dedication ceremonies where calligraphy is displayed.
- The Budokan Event: While participation usually requires prior registration, witnessing the event at the Nippon Budokan on January 5th is a spectacle of cultural discipline.
- DIY Kakizome: You don’t need to be a master. You can purchase a simple calligraphy set (brush, ink stone, and paper) at any 100-yen shop or stationery store like LoFt or Tokyu Hands. Try writing your own resolution for the year. It makes for a meditative start to your travels.
Sources & Further Reading
For those interested in the historical context of writing and court rituals in Japan, the following texts provide foundational knowledge:
- Nihon Shoki (The Chronicles of Japan): While it pre-dates the specific custom of Kakizome, this classical text details the introduction of Chinese characters and writing systems to Japan, setting the stage for calligraphy’s importance.
- The Pillow Book (Makura no Soshi): Written by Sei Shonagon, this Heian-era text offers glimpses into the aesthetic values and courtly pastimes that gave birth to traditions like the New Year’s poetry writing.
- Kodansha Encyclopedia of Japan: For detailed entries on Shodo (the way of calligraphy) and New Year customs.