Every year, the "kanji of the year" is voted on, then announced at Kyoto's Kiyomizu Temple in mid-December. This year the character
金 - pronounced kin, meaning gold, was chosen. This is the fourth time it was chosen, after being selected in 2000, 2012, and 2016. This year it barely won over the second place finisher, 輪 which means ring. Both have connections to the Olympic games held this year.
Kin can mean gold or money. To me, it is a positive word, but I don't feel that 2021 was a good year. Sure Japan won many gold medals, but it was the host country, and the few spectators that attended were all rooting for Japan, so it was not fair. When it comes to money, I think most of us have had less money than previous years, so that is not good either. As you can understand I did not like the choice of Kin for 2021.
Pamela: This is interesting, you share such lovely Japenese traditions, thank-you.
ReplyDeleteCatherine
Kin can mean gold or money. To me, it is a positive word, but I don't feel that 2021 was a good year. Sure Japan won many gold medals, but it was the host country, and the few spectators that attended were all rooting for Japan, so it was not fair. When it comes to money, I think most of us have had less money than previous years, so that is not good either.
ReplyDeleteAs you can understand I did not like the choice of Kin for 2021.
That was a really close vote. I agree with Queenie, though, I'm not sure it's a really fitting kanji for 2021.
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