A Japanese tradition for celebrating the beginning of the new year is called kakizome, 書き初め, and it is the first calligraphy writing, performed on the 2nd of January. In the picture below there is such a calligraphy that I received from a very good friend of mine, Saori-chan, 沙織ちゃん, a few years ago.. A wonderful present for me!!! 
People usually write haiku, 俳句, or other kind of poems regarding happiness or auspicious words for a good life. Elementary schools and junior high schools have kakizome competitions annually.
Saori’s calligraphy, a Japanese proverb, says, approximately:
| 人の一生は重荷を負うて、遠き道を行くが如し (ひとのいっしょうはおもにをおうて、とおきみちをゆくがごとし) |
Human life is like walking a long road with a heavy burden on the back |
| So, you do not need to hurry |
Another great present from Saori-chan, and very useful since it is great for my hakama, 袴, is a furushiki, 風呂敷, a cloth traditionally used to store and carry robes: it honors the robes, and gives them a handsome way to travel….
[The card on the left side, is another great New Year card from a second good pen friend of mine, Toshiko-san, who will have soon a post for herself!!! 
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