Thousands of Japanese competed in writing characters

A calligraphy competition marked the beginning of the year for the Japanese as 5 thousand people aged from 3 to 93 gathered at Nippon Budokan, originally the judo stadium, to brush up their calligraphy writing the New Year wishes.

One of the participants, Kana Ichikawa, said she has participated in the event every year for 17 years.

“Since this event at the Nippon Budokan is the beginning of every year for me, I participated in it and wrote this in order to make a fresh resolution to do my best this year”, said Ichikawa.

In allotted 24 minutes some captured individual symbols while the others managed to fit poems in entirety.

"I wrote this to inspire myself with courage for the rest of the year,” said 12 year-old participant Mihoko Oki, who wrote characters that can be translated from Japanese as "true courage".

"It was my first time taking part in such a big event, so I was very nervous. I was writing so that I can do my best this year," said 17 year-old participant, Shohei Mikuriya.

Winners will be announced at a separate ceremony on February 26.

Similar events were also held in other venues across Japan.

Thousands of Japanese competed in writing characters

Source: ntdtv.ru