This was submitted by Michael Abe for Discover Nikkei’s Nima-kai 2020-2021 Oshogatsu Traditions photo activity.

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明けましておめでとうございます。今年もよろしくお願い致します。

Michael Abe has been producing and sending out Nenga jo 年賀状 (Japanese New Year’s cards) to friends and family since 1999 using sumi-e 墨絵 (Japanese brush painting) and the animals of the Eto 干支 (Chinese zodiac) often hiding the year into the painting. This year incorporates not only 2021 but 2020 as a special message after a tough year globally. Michael currently resides in Victoria, BC Canada. He fondly remembers an uncle and aunt receiving a stack of nenga jo delivered on New Year’s day during a visit to their home in Fukuoka Japan in 1988 and has been fascinated by nenga jo every since. 

Painting property of Michael Abe 2021