Welcome to Nengajo!

We will be slithering into the new year with our 2025 Nengajo contest for the Year of the Snake. As with every year, this contest is open to original nengajo from any level from elementary to college/university.

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

Please see the instructions below for eligibility, submissions, and sample lesson plans.

2025 AATJ Nengajo

What is the Nengajo Contest?

The AATJ Nengajo Contest is a nationwide contest for students in elementary school, middle school, high school, and university. All participants receive a certificate of participation. Winners at each level in each category also receive certificates and prizes from AATJ.

The Nengajo Contest is an excellent advocacy and teaching opportunity for your program. Many students love artistic pursuits, and this is their chance to shine in your class. It also represents an excellent chance to practice language and culture.

There are four categories for entries: Artistic, Comical, Encouragement, and Computer Generated. View the detailed descriptions of the four categories.

To get started: Review the rules and download a sample lesson plan for working with students on their New Year’s cards.

** THERE ARE 5 COMPETITION LEVELS: ELEMENTARY LOWER (K-2), ELEMENTARY HIGHER (3-5), MIDDLE SCHOOL (6-8), HIGH SCHOOL (9-12), AND COLLEGE. **

You need to be a member of AATJ for the current calendar year (January-December) in order to nominate your students. If there is more than one AATJ member at your school, each member can nominate a total of 8 students (2 students per category.) Please check your membership status before submitting the cards.

ALL ENTRIES MUST BE SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY. To get started, please enter information about you and your school using this online form. Then, upload the cards and submit them.

Certificates of participation will be awarded to each student whose card was submitted.

Gift certificates for Amazon.com along with certificates will be awarded to all the winners.

Further details about the winners, their schools, and their teachers will be featured in the AATJ Newsletter.

If you have a question, please contact the Contest Director, Mako Nozu, at mnozu@usf.edu.

Nengajo winning cards 2024

View the gallery of recent winning cards

We hopped into the Year of the Rabbit with our 2023 Nengajo contest. As with every year, this contest was open to original artwork by students from any level from elementary to college/university.

Nengajo Hall of Fame

2024 “Year of the Dragon”

View the 2024 Gallery

2023 “Year of the Rabbit”

View the 2023 Gallery

2022 “Year of the Tiger”

View the 2022 Gallery

2021 “Year of the Ox”

2021 Elementary School (Lower) Winners
2021 Elementary School (Upper) Winners
2021 Middle School Winners
2021 High School Winners
2021 College Winners

2020 “Year of the Rat”

2020 Elementary School (Lower) Winners
2020 Elementary School (Upper) Winners
2020 Middle School Winners
2020 High School Winners
2020 College Winners

2019 “Year of the Boar”

2019 Elementary School (Lower) Winners
2019 Elementary School (Upper) Winners
2019 Middle School Winners
2019 High School Winners
2019 College Winners

2018 “Year of the Dog”

2018 Elementary School Winners
2018 Middle School Winners
2018 High School Winners
2018 College Winners

2017 “Year of the Rooster”

2017 Elementary School Winners
2017 Middle School Winners
2017 High School Winners
2017 College Winners

2016 “Year of the Monkey”

2016 Elementary School Winners
2016 Middle School Winners
2016 High School Winners
2016 College Winners

2015 “Year of the Sheep”

2015 Elementary School Winners
2015 Middle School Winners
2015 High School Winners
2015 College Winners

2014 “Year of the Horse”

2014 Elementary School Winners
2014 Middle School Winners
2014 High School Winners
2014 College Winners

2013 “Year of the Snake”

2013 Elementary School Winners
2013 Middle School Winners
2013 High School Winners
2013 College Winners

2012 “Year of the Dragon”

2012 Elementary School Winners
2012 Middle School Winners
2012 High School Winners