Kakizome Contest at Japan Village
Kakizome Japanese Calligraphy Contest
Saturday, January 10, 2026 from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.
Japan Village – 934 3rd Avenue, Brooklyn (2nd floor "The LOFT")
Admission: Free
Start the New Year with traditional Japanese calligraphy! Kakizome is the writing of the first calligraphy of the New Year, using a brush and ink to express one’s aspirations or intentions for the New Year.
Japan Village is hosting a kakizome contest with Japanese calligraphy artist SEICHO at The LOFT. SEICHO will begin the afternoon with a live calligraphy performance, then the contest will begin, with everyone writing their first word or wish of 2026. The theme is year’s zodiac sign, the Horse (午), and contestants are encouraged to interpret it their own way. Write in English, Japanese, kanji, or simply draw.
Of the entries, five winners will be announced on Instagram on Wednesday, January 14. All works will be displayed on The LOFT’s New Year’s Calligraphy Wall throughout January.
Schedule
2:10 p.m. – Live performance
2:30 p.m. – Contest begins
7:00 p.m. – Contest ends
All ages are welcome. Join the contest, express your intentions for Year of the Horse through calligraphy, and win a prize!
To register, please visit Japan Village’s Eventbrite page.
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