Japan celebrates ‘Utakai Hajime’

January 14, 2010 Japan's 2010 New Year Poetry ceremony was celebrated at the Imperial Palace on Thursday January 14th. In this traditional event, poetry composed by members of the Imperial Family is shared with the public. The Imperial Family also recites selected poetry submitted by the general public as well as poems written by professional poets. This year's central theme for the tanka poetry was light (Hikari).