Kakizome 

Saturday, January 4, 2025

1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Location: AMH Gallery, 696 Dutchess Turnpike, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603

The Arts Mid-Hudson Folk Arts Program and the Mid-Hudson Japanese Community Association present Kakizome, a Japanese cultural program celebrating the traditional first calligraphy writing of the New Year.

The new year is a time to think about our hopes and desires for the coming cycle of seasons in the form of resolutions, wishes, and intentions. The Japanese express these sentiments through kakizome, the ritualized first calligraphy writing of the year. Kakizome ("first writing"), takes place within the first few days of the new year, traditionally creating poetry with calligraphy expressing their hopes and aspirations for the coming year. The poems were later burned to seal the fate of the hope.

Join us for Kakizome 2025 as we learn to write and kanji to guide us into the New Year. Volunteers from the Mid-Hudson Japanese Community Association will guide you in choosing, practicing, and writing your chosen kanji. Brushes, paper, and ink are provided.

The event is free, walk-ins are welcome, but please RSVP.