Happy New Year of the horse! The year of the horse (uma-doshi) is said to be auspicious in Japan, not only because it represents strength, speed and energy, but because of the wordplay: umaku iku (meaning, “everything will work out”) has the word uma (horse) in it. For those reasons, 2026 can be a time for bold moves, adventure, and breaking free from old patterns. And as tradition goes, we’ve assembled a few nengajo from some of our favorite artists that features this year’s zodiac animal. We hope they will inspire everyone to have a dynamic and transformative year!
Chisato Kishimoto
“Race up and up” – an inspiring message from designer Chisato Kishimoto.
Cohak Ame
A colorful, retro-pop card from illustrator Cohak Ame, featuring several auspicious objects related to the new year.
Ayame Higuchi
This is actually a full nihonga painting by artist Ayame Higuchi featuring a devine horse (神馬). It’s on view at Daimaru Tokyo department store at their 10th floor art gallery (through 1/13/2026).
Grape Logo Design
Graphic designer Grape Logo Design specializes in original fonts, such as this one which reads 謹賀新年, the formal way of saying Happy New Year in Japanese.
Hiro Mizuno
This neon-pop card from Hiro Mizuno makes us so happy.
Bento Graphics
Our friends at Bento Graphics created this clever horse racing-inspired video. Watch till the end!
Junichi Kishi
Yokohama-based illustrator Junichi Kishi created this lovely card in his signature blend of Japanese and Scandinavian woodblock-print style.
Lito
Leaf-cutting artist Lito with this stunning creation.
Masaya Mizukawa
Illustrator Masaya Mizukawa used a horseshoe to create an inome (boars eye) shaped window that looks out at Mt. Fuji.
Mojiro
The kanji for horse (馬) comes to life in this calligraphic work of art by Mojiro, who specializes in the edo-era tradition of mojie.
Yusuke Nakamura
Celebrated illustrator Yusuke Nakamura—known for iconic works like ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION’s album covers, The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl, and character designs for The Tatami Galaxy—brings his signature style to this equestrian-inspired image.
Nao Sakamoto
We’re fans of Hokkaido-based illustrator Nao Sakamoto and her tender comic book-style drawings of animals. And her new years cards never disappoint.
Reiko Okamoto
Veterinarian-turned-illustrator Reiko Okamoto specializes in animal illustrations, combining analog techniques such as rubbing, stenciling, and printmaking with digital methods. Stenciled stamps were used to create variations of the particularly auspicious white horse.
Sara
The transition from year of the snake to year of the horse was also a common motif, and art duo Sara capture it in their signature style of doodling on the other’s photograph.
Shunsuke Satake
Illustrator Shunsuke Satake used one of his wooden frames to from his exhibition late last year to ring in the new year.
Satsuki Aritome
We loved this minimal print from designer Satsuki Aritome, who used debossing to create the illusion of hoofprints in the snow.
Takuya Kawaguchi
Illustrator Takuya Kawaguchi has applied his signature black-and-white style of bold silhouettes, organic curves, and decorative symbolism to render a horse prancing in flowers.
Traditional Label Lab
Graphic design studio Traditional Label Lab specialize in higemoji, an Edo-era style of calligraphy often employed in sake labels. They use the dramatic strokes with “hairs” to render the kanji for horse.
Syoyo
We loved this card from artist Syoyo’s, whose unique visual language combines optical illusions with poster art aesthetics.
Yuiai
Lastly, we’ll end with this card from illustrator Yuiai titled “On Your Marks.” We love everything about this card from the concept and the equestrian accessories to the way the morning sunlight reflects off the hair and through the ears.
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