"Battle" was chosen as the Kanji of the Year at the renowned Kyoto Temple on December 12, recognizing the dominance of the war in Ukraine and...
“What we need now is to work together to leap beyond the current trials. I want as many people as we can possibly reach to have...
“Take flight together” says this representation of what the Year of the Tiger means for mankind, “Let’s leap free of the gloom the virus has brought!”...
In a tribute to MLB superstar Shohei Ohtani, “shotaimu” was among the most popular buzzwords of 2021. What were the others?
Recalling the year in “gold” represents the many medals of the same color Japan achieved in the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. The choice was welcomed as...
The Biden administration is taking over the reins of the White House when the rising COVID-19 allegations against China are bringing about a repositioning of countries...
Black ink flowing from the wood-and-horsehair brush onto the starch-white page, calligraphic artist Shoko Kanazawa inscribed, stroke by stroke, the kanji for “katsu” — “victory”.
Have you ever wondered if there could be one single word to summarize the whole year, what would it be? This year, many would...
As the New Year 2020 begins, Rei (令) – the first character of the Reiwa era (dedicated to Japan’s new Emperor Naruhito) – has been...
Shoko Kanazawa, 34, a Japanese calligrapher who also happens to have Down Syndrome, decided that the kanji for the first New Year of the...
On a cold afternoon in late December, JAPAN Forward visited the home and studio of Shoko Kanazawa, a world-famous calligrapher based in Kugahara, on the...
(Conclusion) Part 1: ‘Shine Brightly’: Calligrapher Shoko Kanazawa Writes New Year Kanji for ‘JAPAN Forward’ Readers Shoko Kanazawa is one of the most...
