Brushing in the new year in Japan

Participants write out auspicious phrases and resolutions

Thousands of Japanese have drawn in the new year with style by brushing up on their calligraphy skills.

Around 3,500 people of all ages descended on Tokyo's Budokan hall for the annual First Calligraphy contest.

First activities of the new year are considered auspicious in Japan - and the first strokes made on paper with brushes are known as kakizome.

Many, particularly the younger contestants, used the event to write out their new year's resolutions.

"I want to study harder and become more intelligent this year," eight-year-old Tomoyuki Hirayama told Reuters news agency.

"I wished for peace," said 12-year-old Yuki Naito who, along with others, wrote out "Peaceful Country".

Some used their thick horse-hair brushes to write out another auspicious phrase, "Be Courageous".