Let's make our own Nengajou 年賀状 2023

Samples of Nengajou done by SAS students of 2009...
as you can guess, 2009 was the year of the ox.

It's the time of the year ! Time to take out your pen and brush to make new year cards (nengajou) for your friends. It is the Japanese custom to send new year cards to friends and relatives on the 1st of January (oshougatsu). Nowadays, you can send digital nengajou through emails or buy readily printed ones from the shops or post offices. But it is still best when you put an effort and your own creativity into it.  When you are making your own nengajou, here are some points that you would like to bear in mind.

1)  Size
The size of the card is the same as any common postcard.  Use one side to draw/ write your greetings and messages. Keep the other side to write the address.

 2) Greetings
     Common greetings are :

• あけまして　おめでとう　ございます。きょねんは　たいへん　おせわになりまして、ありがとう　ございました。今年も　どうぞ　よろしく　おねがいします。
• しんねん　おめでとう　ございます。きょねんは　たいへん　おせわに　なりました。ほんとうに　ありがとう　ございました。今年も　よろしく　おねがいします。

 3) Messages
This is where you write some messages or updates on what you (and your family) have been doing throughout 2022 and your expectations for 2023.

 4) Decoration
2023 is the year of the rabbit. Thus, you can decorate your card with cute pictures of rabbits. Of course, you may use flowers or abstracts, etc but it will not be appropriate to use the pictures of the tiger (2022) or dog, etc. 

 5) Address
Do make sure you have written the address correctly and do not forget to write your address too. Your friend would most probably like to send you a card too.
    
 6)Timing
Timing is very important! You must make sure your nengajou does not reach your friend before the 1st of January ( as it is not new year yet ) or later than 10th of January (it will seem 'insincere'). If you are in Japan, the problem of sending nengajou too early is not a problem as the post office will keep your nengajou until the 1st of January.

Follow this link if you want to find out more ideas on how to write a proper nengajou. :)
Good luck and let your creativity flows ! Send me one too !

Nengajou received from our friends in Thailand

2010 nengajou done by SAS students