Kawagoe's Kanji for 2025

You may have heard of Japan's 'Kanji of the Year'. A kanji chosen by the Japanese Kanji Proficiency Society, by ballot, and announced on 'Kanji Day', December 12th annually. This year the kanji "shine", "Kagayaki" in Japanese, was chosen. The kanji is made up of the characters of army and light. It is a wish for an army of light to inspire us in 2025.

In Kawagoe, we also have a kanji of the year too. Although, they call it a 'hope kanji'.  It is also chosen by ballot. In 2024 close to 4000 people voted and "kanau", pictured above, was selected as the kanji to inspire us in 2025. 'Kanau' is a word like hope too, with the nuance of to "come true" or "realization of hope".

The character for Kawagoe is announced at a later date the Kanji of the Year. Usually around December 21st. For the reveal, they have a ceremony at Kawagoe Hachimangu. After which time the character, which is scribed by students of a local school, is displayed on a large plaque in the precincts during the hatsumode period of the shrine. 

Does your city / town / village have a 'kanji of the year' or an inspirational kanji?