The annual "Tenma-gaki," or New Year's calligraphy started on January 2 at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine in Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto for those wishing to improve their calligraphy proficiency. Many families set their writing brushes to Japanese paper with their wishes for the new year.

Tenma-gaki is held annually at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, for those hoping to have the luck of Sugawara-no-Michizane, the enshrined deity, who is known as the god of academic achievement, as well as an excellent calligrapher. Tenma-gaki continued until January 4, and the usual annual average of approximately 2,000 calligraphy works was expected to be dedicated to the shrine.

At the hall, many people wrote New Year's calligraphy one after the other, and children made fair copies of Chinese characters such "Tora," "Chosen" and "Kibo," meaning tiger, or this year's sign in the Chinese zodiac, challenge and wish, respectively. Showing hopes of overcoming the recession, characters such "Kaiun," or good luck, were also seen.

Airi Tanaka, a fourth grader at Omuro Elementary School in Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, who selected the character "Yume," or dream, said, "I would like to be good at writing like my mother and get a prize." The event was held from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The award ceremony will be held at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine on January 30.