We asked Nishitsu readers, “What kanji represents 2023 for you?”
Valid responses: 22
“What kanji represents 2023 for you?”
This year’s kanji is…
This really sums up the year.
Woman in her 50s (resident of the Nigawa/Kotoen area)
This says it all. It was so much fun!!
Woman in her 40s (resident)
Of course, it’s “Are” lol
Man in his 30s (resident of the JR Nishinomiya area)
It has to be “Are,” right?
Man in his 50s (resident)
So,
here are the results.
It’s 虎.
Now, let’s take a look at everyone’s kanji for the year and the reasons behind them.
懐
For some reason, it made me think back to more than 40 years ago and feel nostalgic.
Man in his 50s (resident of other area outside the city/prefecture)
神
I chose the character “神” because the Hanshin Tigers won the Japan Series and Vissel Kobe won the J1 League.
Man in his 60s (resident of the Koshienguchi area)
太
As a middle-aged guy, I’ve gained a ton of weight and become completely overweight. When I was a kid, there was a TV drama called “Ikenaka Genta 80 Kilo,” and I remember thinking, “80 kg! That’s huge!” I never imagined I’d end up over 80 kg myself. 😢 My waist is over 1 meter too, at 106 cm. 😭 I also thought of the kanji “老,” but aging is something that will happen every year from now on. When I met someone I hadn’t seen in years, they said, “You’ve gained so much weight I didn’t recognize you!” so I went with the kanji “太.” 💦
Man in his 50s (resident of the Hirota/Taisha/Uegahara area)
虎
The Hanshin Tigers becoming Japan’s best was the greatest.
Man in his 40s (resident of the Koshienguchi area)
歩
This is a personal story, but I injured my leg and couldn’t walk properly for a long time. My range of activity became limited, and mentally I was feeling closed in and negative. But after I started going to “Genki Style,” which I saw in a Nishitsu ad, I kept getting better, regained my energy, and my life became more positive. Thank you, Genki Style and Nishitsu!
Man in his 50s (resident of the Koshienguchi area)
虎
The Tigers won the championship!
Woman in her 50s (resident of the Imazu/Hanshin Kokudo area)
転
I fell off my motorcycle and ended up hospitalized for a month, the longest stay of my life.
Man in his 50s (resident of the Koroen/Hamawaki/Yokai area)
虎
Good evening! This year, of course, it has to be “虎”! It was a year that began with the Hanshin Tigers and ended with the Hanshin Tigers.
Man in his 30s (resident of the Naruo/Takasu/Komatsu area)
疲
The second half of the year was really exhausting because of issues with my parents, and the stress led to hives and stomach pain. 💧
Woman in her 50s (resident of the Naruo/Takasu/Komatsu area)
虎
Hanshin became Japan’s best.
Man in his 50s (resident of other area outside the city/prefecture)
貯
Because thanks to the Hanshin Tigers’ championship (“Are no Are”), I earned a ton of S Points!! ⭐️ Thank you, Hanshin!
Woman in her 20s (resident of the Hirota/Taisha/Uegahara area)
灯
The Imazu Lighthouse was relocated. It continues to shine its light over the sea. Around the world, wars continue, and people’s hearts are breaking. I hope that even a small light of hope can be lit in people’s hearts.
Woman in her 60s (resident of the Mondo-Yakujin/Hinokuchi area)
虎
As a Hanshin fan, this is the only character that came to mind.
Woman in her 40s (resident of the Koshien/Koshienhama area)
虎
Because the Hanshin Tigers became Japan’s best.
Boy in his teens (resident of other area outside the city/prefecture)
推
I joined the fan clubs of one certain artist and another certain artist. I’m having so much fun! I’m going to collect the merch too.
Woman in her 50s (resident of the Koroen/Hamawaki/Yokai area)
集
We had a year-end party the other day. It was the first time in four years that everyone gathered together.
Man in his 40s (resident of other area outside the city/prefecture)
虎
Because the Hanshin Tigers became Japan’s best, and I was able to buy a limited-edition keychain.
Man in his 30s (resident of the Naruo/Takasu/Komatsu area)
Thank you for sharing your kanji for the year along with such fun stories!!
The result was probably just what many of you imagined. Personally, I really understand “集” as well. This year, so many events came back, and people gathered in all kinds of places. What kind of kanji will next year bring? Let’s make it a fun year in Nishinomiya.
