Kanji Of The Year

Wazawai (Calamity)

Monday December 13, 2004

Each year, there is a public survey asking Japanese residents what they think is the one kanji (word or concept) that best sums up the year. The kanji for 2004 is wazawai, meaning calamity. There was a large earthquake that killed 200 people in Niigata in October, as well as many more typhoons and supertyphoons than usual this year.

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That looks like a person with a flaming head. A calamity indeed.

Posted by Ryan on December 15, 2004 01:12 AM