Welcome to the 2026 Nengajo Contest!
This year, we are celebrating the Year of the Horse. As always, this contest is open to original nengajo from students at all levels, from elementary to college/university. 

Competition levels:

  1. Elementary Lower (K-2)
  2. Elementary Higher (3-5)
  3. Middle School (6-8)
  4. High School (9-12)
  5. College

Categories:

  1. Artistic: This category showcases the artist’s skills in drawing, design, and writing. Key elements include coloring, drawing, and writing. Open to all levels.
  2. Comical: This category focuses on humor. Make your audience laugh out loud with tasteful and culturally appropriate jokes! Open to all levels.
  3. Encouragement: This category emphasizes warm and encouraging messages. Let’s spread the love! Open to Middle School, High School, and College levels only.
  4. Computer Generated: This category features original art created on a computer, which may include personal photos. Open to Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School, and College levels. Please note: It is NOT an AI-Generated image.

Eligibility:

The Japanese teacher of the participants needs to be a member of AATJ for the current calendar year (January-December). If there is more than one AATJ member at your school, each member can nominate a total of 8 students (2 students per category).

Submission Guidelines:

  • All entries must be completely original.
  • Participants can submit their nengajo electronically through their teachers (K-12 Divisions) or directly (College/University Division). Please submit the form and then email the nengajo files as attachments to aatjnengajo@gmail.com. Each teacher can nominate up to 2 entries for each category.
  • The deadline for submissions is December 30, 2025.

Prizes:

  • All participants will receive a certificate of participation.
  • Winners in each category will receive certificates and Amazon.com e-gift cards from the American Association of Teachers of Japanese (AATJ).
  • Further details about the winners, their schools, and their teachers will be featured in the AATJ Newsletter.

How to Participate:

  1. Review the contest rules and download a sample lesson plan for creating nengajo.
  2. Create your nengajo based on the theme of the Year of the Horse.
  3. Submit your entries digitally by the deadline. To get started, please enter information about you and your school using this online form. Then, email the cards to aatjnengajo@gmail.com.

For more information, please contact the Contest Director, Mako Nozu, at mnozu@usf.edu.