JICC 16th Annual Nengajo Contest
The JICC’s 16th Annual Nengajo Contest invites the public to create an original Japanese New Year’s postcard celebrating the 2027 Year of the Sheep. Nengajo are traditionally exchanged among family, friends, and colleagues in Japan. Participants may submit artwork for judging, possible prizes, and inclusion in the JICC’s online gallery.
The contest is divided into Junior, Youth, and Adult age groups. First-place winners receive a fukubukuro, or Japanese lucky bag filled with assorted New Year’s goodies, while runners-up and honorable mentions will also be recognized. Qualifying entries will be displayed online throughout January 2027.
When: The contest opens Thursday, November 5, 2026. Entries are due Wednesday, January 6, 2027, by 11:59 p.m. EST.
Theme: The 2027 Year of the Sheep, represented by the zodiac kanji 未.
Age Divisions: Junior, ages 0–11; Youth, ages 12–17; and Adult, ages 18 and older.
Awards: First-place prizes are awarded in each age division. Each first-place winner receives a fukubukuro. Runners-up will be selected in each division, and additional honorable mentions may be awarded.
Eligibility: Participants residing outside the United States may participate and have their work featured in the gallery, but they are not eligible for prizes.
Design Requirements: Each entry must be an original 4-by-6-inch or 6-by-4-inch design featuring a sheep, the kanji 未, and either the year 2026 or Reiwa 9 (令和九年).
Submission Format: Entries must be submitted as a .jpg, .jpeg, .png, or .pdf file. HEIC files are not accepted. Each person may submit one entry.
How to Enter: Email the artwork to jicc@ws.mofa.go.jp with the participant’s name, age, and city, state, and country. Participants under 13 must also provide written consent from a parent or guardian.
File Naming: The suggested naming format is FirstName_LastNameInitial_Age_Location, such as John_S_30_DC. Following this convention is appreciated but not required.
Confirmation: The JICC will send a confirmation email after receiving an entry. Participants should contact the JICC if they do not receive confirmation within 72 hours or by the submission deadline.
Teachers and Educators: Educators are encouraged, when possible, to submit class entries as a group and should contact jicc@ws.mofa.go.jp in advance to coordinate. Group submission is optional; students and teachers may also submit individually.
Publication: Qualifying entries will appear in an online gallery throughout January 2027. Participants can also tag Instagram posts with #2027JICCNengajo for a chance to have their art featured on the JICC’s Instagram. Published entries will use only first names and last initials to help protect privacy.
Originality: Artwork must be created by the entrant. Copyrighted, plagiarized, or AI-generated material will be disqualified without notice.
Rights: Entrants retain ownership of their artwork. By submitting, they grant the JICC a royalty-free, nonexclusive, worldwide license to use, reproduce, and publicly display the work with attribution for promotional and cultural purposes, including on the JICC website, social media, and in gallery exhibitions.
Tickets: Price not available.
Venue: JICC Embassy of Japan.
Contact: Questions and submissions should be sent to jicc@ws.mofa.go.jp.
Photo and Video Policy: The JICC may use photographs and videos taken at JICC-sponsored events in its publications, websites, social media, and other media. Images of individuals and children will not be identified with full names or other personal information without written permission. Attendees who do not want to be photographed or recorded should inform the photographer, videographer, or event organizers.