"Kakizome" : First Calligraphy of the year

Kakizome (書き初め) is the Japanese traditional first calligraphy written at the beginning of a new year.

Usually, people write auspicious words or phrases, poetry, or their resolutions for the new year with brush and ink. The practice is believed to bring good luck and prosperity for the new year and is also a way to demonstrate one's calligraphy skills. After writing, the works are often displayed in the home until the end of January, at which point some may choose to burn them in a ritual called "Dondoyaki" to pray for good health and fortune for the year.

On New Year's Day of 2024, I was asked to perform large-scale calligraphy performance for Kakizome at the Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa's International in Tokyo. I brushed divine characters: 龍, (Dragon), 福, (good fortune), 光 (Light).