【国際交流PRアソシエイトからの発信★】書き初めKakizome

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【国際交流PRアソシエイトからの発信★】書き初め

先月、グローバルビレッジで「書き初めワークショップ」を開催しました。タイ人留学生のRittさんも参加し楽しんだようです。今回は書き初めについて詳しく説明してくれています！

Rittさんのレポートをぜひご一読ください！（言語：英語?タイ語）

【Message from the International Exchaneg PR Associate】Kakizome

Last month, we held a "Kakizome Workshop" at the Global Village. Ritt, a Thai student, also participated and seemed to enjoy it. This time, he explains in detail about the Kakizome!

Please read his report! (Language: English and Thai)

Kakizome (書き初め)

Have you ever made a New Year's resolution? It's like starting a fresh chapter with new opportunities every New Year's Day. Many people use this chance to kickstart something new, like taking better care of themselves, getting into fitness, picking up a new hobby, or kicking bad habits. Writing down these resolutions is like giving ourselves a chance to reflect on the past and plan for the future.

In Japan, there is a fascinating tradition at the beginning of the year called Kakizome. It's all about brush lettering, using a brush dipped in ink to write on white Japanese paper. It's considered a cultural thing and revolves around the art of calligraphy, symbolizing intentions, expressing creativity, and embracing the spirit of renewal.

The word "Kakizome"(書き初め) means "first writing," and it's a ritual that happens during the first few days of the new year, usually on January 2nd. Calligraphy is not just about making pretty art; it's a way of communicating thoughts and feelings. The art of calligraphy, or "shodo," is highly prized, and skilled calligraphers get a lot of praise for turning characters into visual poetry. Over time, this love for calligraphy turned into the Kakizome tradition, symbolizing the start of the new year and reflecting the culture and beliefs of the Japanese people.

This time, I had the chance to join the Kakizome event at Global Village. First off, everyone picked a kanji word that they wanted. Then, they practiced writing it on paper. When they were ready, they wrote it on real paper with bright, beautiful colors. You can take it home when you're done.

The interesting part of Kakizome is choosing the words or phrases you want to write. It could be optimistic words, a wishlist for the year, personal goals, dreams you want to achieve, or even inspirational quotes. The belief is that doing this creates a positive vibe for the coming year, bringing good luck, prosperity, and personal growth.

Kakizome isn't just about the end result; it's also about the fun journey of creating each letter. People usually use traditional brushes and ink, highlighting the connection between the writers and their tools. The strokes and movements involved in writing each character become a kind of meditation and mindfulness exercise, encouraging people to focus on the present moment and pour their intentions into those brushstrokes. Plus, it's a way for the community to express themselves and feel a sense of togetherness, reinforcing values of renewal, growth, and a positive outlook for the future.

It also becomes a keepsake to remember those resolutions from the start of the year, a reminder to stay determined throughout the whole year. Next January, we will hold the Kakizome event again at the Global Village, so don't miss out on the good opportunity to experience this wonderful Japanese tradition!

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