MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Families with USA Girl Scouts Overseas West Pacific from Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni and families from local Japanese schools gathered at Waki Elementary for the First Writing of the Year, or Kakizome, in Waki Town, Yamaguchi, Japan, Jan. 5, 2018.
The purpose of the first writing is to express hopes and ambitions for the coming year.
The cultural interaction was hosted by the Chugoku-Shikoku Defense Bureau (CSDB), alongside Waki Town and MCAS Iwakuni, so that the youth from both communities could take part in the calligraphy event.
“Kakizome is really traditional Japanese writing that we do at the first of the year,” said Yoshi Akada, a Waki Town resident. “When I was a kid I really loved Kakizome.”
Akada and other volunteers contributed to the event by helping children refine their calligraphy technique and learn the proper way to write Kakizome.
Children from Waki Town and the Girl Scouts chose words to write such as bonds, New Year, flower and peace.
The event also featured games for the children such as kendama, kite flying and hagoita, a game similar to badminton.
“(Events like these) continue building our alliance especially with the young children, both Japanese and American,” said U.S. Marine Corps Col. Richard F. Fuerst, commanding officer of MCAS Iwakuni. “It enhances the bond that we already have and as they grow up the bond will get even stronger. I am very thankful to both Waki Town and the CSDB for supporting this.”
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