Crossword Day
OtherWhat Is Crossword Day?
September 6th is "Crossword Day" in Japan. The date comes from a wordplay on "ku(9)-ro(6)" (echoing "kuro," part of "crossword" in Japanese), and it was established in 1992 by Kosaido Publishing, publisher of "Monthly Crossword" and other magazines, at the suggestion of crossword writer Teruo Takizawa.
A Word Puzzle That Gave Rise to an Intellectual Holiday
Crossword puzzles, where words are filled into a grid of vertical and horizontal squares, have long been a beloved pastime in Japan.
- Origin: "ku(9)-ro(6)" is read as a wordplay echoing "kuro," part of the Japanese word for crossword
- Purpose: to spread the appeal of crossword puzzles, an intellectually engaging form of wordplay, to more people
- Year established: established in 1992, during a time when many crossword magazines were being published
A Mental Workout That Expands Your Vocabulary
Crossword puzzles test your vocabulary and knowledge, but part of their appeal is the satisfaction of finally solving one. As an intellectual hobby enjoyed across generations, they remain steadily popular even today.
Tips for Marking This Day
- Try your hand at a crossword puzzle magazine or app
- Solve a puzzle together with family or friends as a friendly competition
- Try creating your own original crossword puzzle
- Learn unfamiliar words or kanji through solving puzzles
Every Filled Square Expands the World of Words
Crossword puzzles, where a single clue leads word by word to a completed grid, are an entertainment that stirs intellectual curiosity. September 6th is a day to sit down with a pencil and take on the grid.