Happy New Year! Before we get back into the swing of things it’s time for a bit of monkey business. Each year we select a handful of our favorite nengajo, or New Year’s cards, created by Japanese designers, illustrators and other creatives. Given that this year’s zodiac is the monkey, expect a lot of ape-themed designs.
While it’s true that sending nengajo is in a secular decline, we still enjoy the tradition as it allows us to reflect back on those we shared a moment with, whether it was intentional or by chance.
![designer_new_year_2016_Eiko_Tamura](https://www.spoon-tamago.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/designer_new_year_2016_Eiko_Tamura.jpg)
Tokyo-based designer Eiko Tamura’s graphic monkey face incorporates an image of Mt. Fuji
![designer_new_year_2016-graphitica](https://www.spoon-tamago.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/designer_new_year_2016-graphitica.jpg)
a series of typographic New Year’s cards from graphitica
![designer_new_year_2016_indlocker](https://www.spoon-tamago.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/designer_new_year_2016_indlocker.png)
a fun twist on the three wise monkey from Individual Locker
![designer_new_year_2016_Irwin_Wong](https://www.spoon-tamago.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/designer_new_year_2016_Irwin_Wong.jpg)
Going above and beyond once again is Tokyo-based photographer Irwin Wong, along with his team, who created this amazing staged image.
![designer_new_year_2016_kenichi_yamada](https://www.spoon-tamago.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/designer_new_year_2016_kenichi_yamada.jpg)
Kenichi Yamada, the designer behind TERRA, carved a wooden monkey and posted it to his instagram account.
![designer_new_year_2016_Makoto_Azuma](https://www.spoon-tamago.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/designer_new_year_2016_Makoto_Azuma.jpg)
Botanic artist Makoto Azuma posted this tranquil yet stunning photo on January 1st.
![designer_new_year_2016_Masahiro_minami](https://www.spoon-tamago.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/designer_new_year_2016_Masahiro_minami.jpg)
I was surprised we didn’t see more Son Goku-themed cards. This one is from designer Masahiro Minami.
![designer_new_year_2016_Mayo](https://www.spoon-tamago.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/designer_new_year_2016_Mayo.jpg)
Freelance designer Mayo riffed on vintage packaging to create this colorful card.
![designer_new_year_2016_Miki](https://www.spoon-tamago.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/designer_new_year_2016_Miki.jpg)
Illustrator Miki created this card that’s reminiscent of the Amidakuji game.
![](https://www.spoon-tamago.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/designer_new_year_2016_AQ-v3.jpg)
I love this card from Design studio AQ. Classic design with a positive twist of the proverbial monkeys turning a blind eye: “see more, hear more, speak more.”
![nengajo](https://www.spoon-tamago.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/designer_new_year_2016_Minoru_Arita-e1452009513647.jpg)
Minimal yet stylish card from illustrator and graphic designer Minoru Arita.
![designer_new_year_2016_naho](https://www.spoon-tamago.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/designer_new_year_2016_naho.jpg)
A lovely card from the illustrator behind all of Spoon & Tamago’s graphics: Naho Ogawa
![designer_new_year_2016_noryco](https://www.spoon-tamago.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/designer_new_year_2016_noryco.png)
An adorable card from water-color painter Noryco, who admits that her monkey sort of looks like a frog.
![designer_new_year_2016_saki_jusuke](https://www.spoon-tamago.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/designer_new_year_2016_saki_jusuke.jpg)
a fantastic sketch of a quiet shrine in Osaka by illustrator Sakki Jusuke.
![designer_new_year_2016_studio_takeuma](https://www.spoon-tamago.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/designer_new_year_2016_studio_takeuma.jpg)
a vintage illustration by Kyoto-based Studio Takeuma
![designer_new_year_2016_TNSK](https://www.spoon-tamago.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/designer_new_year_2016_TNSK.jpg)
and our collection wouldn’t be complete without at least 1 otaku creation. This one is from illustrator TNSK
January 6, 2016 at 3:24 am
Lovely cards! Are they for sale ?
January 6, 2016 at 10:38 am
@W Cheng – unfortunately, not for sale 🙁
January 9, 2016 at 12:07 pm
@W Cheng the second series is available at http://mall.aflo.com/products/detail_nenga.php?product_id=21659
which is also my fav among all. ^^