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 金 which means "gold".
In 2015, the kanji of the year was 安, which means safety or peace.
In 2014, the kanji of the year was 税, which means “tax”.
In 2013, the kanji of the year was 輪, which means “ring” or “circle.”
6 comments:
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).
Hi Pamela very interesting,hope you have a lovely day xx
I think it was a good choice this year.
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.
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.
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!
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