Sunday, December 17, 2017

2017 Kanji of the Year



Every year the Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation conducts a nationwide survey to choose the Kanji of the year.  This year 北 (north) received the most votes because of the numerous missile launches from North Korea and the heavy rain that took the lives in the northern part of Kyushu, as well as the potato shortage in Hokkaido and the baseball star Shohei Ohtani who played for the Hokkaido team Nippon Ham Fighters. 




Seihan Mori, the head priest at Kiyomizu Buddhist temple in Kyoto drew the character on a huge piece of washi (Japanese paper).  


Last year's kanji of the year (2016) was   which means "gold". 


In 2015, the kanji of the year was , which means safety or peace.


In 2014, the kanji of the year was , which means “tax”.


In 2013, the kanji of the year wa, which means “ring” or “circle.”




6 comments:

Vireya said...

Sounds better than the Australian National Dictionary Centre's word of the year for 2017, which is "kwaussie". - A blend of Kiwi (New Zealand) and Aussie (Australia).

Anonymous said...

Hi Pamela very interesting,hope you have a lovely day xx

Queeniepatch said...

I think it was a good choice this year.

Janie said...

It's a beautiful character, it could stand alone as a piece of art.
By the way Pantone's color of the year is Ultra Violet.

Renee said...

It seems like a great choice for 2017. I do hope next year is one that allows a selection for much happier events. Wishing you a wonderful 2018.

Leonore Winterer said...

Sounds like this Kanji was chosen mainly due to very unhappy reasons, even if it's fitting. I hope 2018 will have a happier Kanji!