Welcome to the frolicking year of the rabbit! We love all of Japan’s quaint traditions around New Year’s: eating toshi-koshi soba on New Year’s Eve, having ozoni on New Year’s morning, visiting a temple or shrine for hatsumode. Well, we have a tradition of our own: admiring New Year’s cards (nangajo) created by some of our favorite Japanese artists and designers.
From anime and printmaking to minimal geometric and animated, enjoy all the different art styles of rabbits, mochi and moons.
Shogo Kishino
Art director Shogo Kishino borrowed a print from a rebranding he did of Izumo Taisha Shrine.
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Haruka Aramaki
Artist Haruka Aramaki created this adorable nengajo/sticker embedded with a New Year’s resolution of becoming more flexible.
Bento Graphics
We always look forward to the clever animations that Bento Graphics come up with!
Hiroki Nishiyama
We love this graphic interpretation of the new year from illustrator Hiroki Nishiyama.
Hiroki Takeda
Watercolor painter Hiroki Takeda’s lovely use of flora and fauna.
Hirotoshi Shiki
Graphic designer Hirotoshi Shiki created this stunning letterpress card of the moon.
Hisao Ohmae
Illustrator Hisao Ohmae’s gorgeous interpretation of the rabbit.
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Nao Sakamoto
We loved this animated card from artist Nao Sakamoto with a rabbit in the distance, beckoning us forward.
Junichi Kishi
A lovely pop-art style card from illustrator Junichi Kishi.
Kenichiro Chaffee
Portland-based 2D animator Kenichiro Chaffee features a traditional kagamimochi decoration.
Ryo Kanda
Visual artists and animator Ryo Kanda’s slightly scary but wildly fun card.
Masao Shirasawa
Nagoya-based graphic designer Masao Shirasawa’s geometric deconstruction of the rabbit is nice!
Hayao Miyazaki
This artist doesn’t need an introduction. We love how, each year, he always draws Studio Ghibli’s nengajo.
Parico
We adore this card from illustrator Parico and all the details from the rabbit kimono to the carrot bag.
Yasutaka Fukada
Such a great animated card from 3D CD artist Yasutaka Fukada.
DADA
The Tokyo-based illustrator who goes by the name DADA created this repetitive rabbit in pop-art style.
Shunsuke Sataka
Illustrator Shunsuke Sataka used his signature pastel palette to create this adorable card
Takuya Kawaguchi
We love the lines in this minimalist card from illustrator Takuya Kawaguchi.
Tatsuro Kiuchi
A simple yet elegant print from illustrator Tatsuro Kiuchi.
Toru Asai
Illustrator Toru Asai’s celebration of pastels.
Motionist
Motion graphics artist Motionist created this sparkling, animated card.
Wakiko
Simple lines and simple colors yet such an outstanding card from illustrator Wakiko.
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Yasuko Aoyama
Artist Yasuko Aoyama creates multi-color prints by carving erasers. This nengajo was created using that same technique.
Yuiai
And last but not least, this fun idea from illustrator Yuiai.
January 8, 2023 at 9:09 pm
Boy, I’m waiting for this page each year!