Kanji at Kiyomizudera

I found this story recently on the Asahi Shimbun newspaper and thought it was interesting. The abbot of the famous Kiyomizudera Temple is drawing the kanji “shin” 新 which just means “new“. This is related to the efforts by the Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation to clean up its act with a new administration. I heard vaguely about the scandal before, mentioned here in the Japan Times, but didn’t understand the implications.

The Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation holds certification tests for various skill levels of recognition and composition of Chinese characters or “kanji”. Such tests are even offered on a limited basis overseas such as in London (sadly only a few sites in the US). My fellow blogger “Robert” even wrote about his experiences taking the test recently over in the UK, as well as his successful result (good job!). So, the scandals and efforts by a new administration to rebuild are kind of a big deal, more than I thought.

I also enjoyed this article because of the public engagement by Kiyomizudera, and its contribution to Japan’s cultural heritage. Kiyomizudera is a truly venerable temple in Japanese Buddhist history, and a great example of Hosso Buddhism and the all-inclusive nature of the early Japanese schools. You can see sub-altars to various Buddhist figures, but also for famous monks of various sects. I was happy to visit there in 2005. Also, if you look at the previous link, at the second picture (the one with me in it), the back veranda is where the chief priest is painting the kanji in the article above.

Funny how it all comes together.