Today, I had a pleasant experience with a Japanese custom called かきこめ ’Kakikome’.
Kakikome is done at the beginning of the new year, where Japanese people traditionally draw Kanji (Chinese characters) of their dreams and wishes for the new year on thin paper with brushes and ink, later hanging them around the house.
Now being in Japan for three months, I’ve become quite skillful writing Kanji (but not in reading nor understanding them!) so I really had a blast writing these characters!
Other than mucking around and writing in Arabic (Arabic Calligraphy just mesmerizes the Japanese!), I learnt a new Kanji….平和 ‘Heiwa’ which means peace..
We all know about the atrocities being commited by the Israelis in Occupied Palestine and my wish for this year is that this conflict comes to an end with the Palestinians getting back what is rightfully theirs..
Wishing you all a peaceful new year..
以上です。
よろしくお願いします。
If only wishes were enough Yacoub. If only…