Japan’s annual tradition of holding a national calligraphy contest to welcome the New Year attracted 3,036 people of all ages in Tokyo on Friday. /VCG Photo

Contestants competed based on their abilities with a traditional brush and black ink. They wrote people’s resolutions, wishes, or any lucky character to usher in the New Year. /VCG Photo

Most of the participants this year were schoolchildren. Each of them was given 24 minutes to accurately stroke two separate phrases, poems or proverbs, without any help or reference. /VCG Photo

Calligraphy, an art which has been developed over centuries in China, is believed to improve mental faculty and concentration and has significant influence in Asia. /VCG Photo

The calligraphy works will be judged according to the strict rules on a calligrapher’s skills such as the flow, line strength, and angles. Winner will be announced on January 21 and a certificate will be awarded on February 25 in Tokyo. /VCG Photo