In connection with "writing" planner in the last blog post, we would like to introduce you to the Japanese New Year's writing culture - kakizome calligraphy. It is a traditional Japanese cultural event in which people write letters with a brush for the first time in the New Year. In Japanese schools, it is a very common standard for the winter break homework and submit it on the first day of the New Year.
Kakizome has traditionally been done on January 2nd, when people write poems and phrases for the New Year. In recent years, many people write their New Year's resolutions.
It is said that the kakizome originated in the Heian period (794-1185), when a minister presented a political document to the emperor at the beginning of the year and other milestones in the court ceremony called kissho-no-sou.
Later, the kissho-no-sou was succeeded by the shogunate as kissho-hajime or han-hajime, events of the shogunate. In the Edo period (1603-1867), it spread to the general public due in part to the spread of terakoya school, and in the Meiji period (1868-1912), when calligraphy became a compulsory subject, kakizome became firmly established.
It is said that the kissho-no-sou was held on January 2nd, and January 2nd was considered a good day to start things, so merchants shipped their products to their clients on the day, and kakizome was written on that day as well. Although many people write especially on January 2nd, it is considered best to write by January 15th.
Maido offers a set of the kakizome set, so why not give it a try before the 15th this year?
The year 2024 is the Year of the Dragon. A Maido employee and calligraphy artist Mie Kawabata wrote the calligraphy artwork "Dragon". These and other works of hers are available at Maido. Please check them out the next time you are at the store!
There is a lot of food items, housewares, stationery, and gifts available at the store and our online store, Maido! Kairashi Shop, where you can place your order for shipping or store pickup! Happy shopping. :)
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