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2026 NENGAJO CONTEST WINNERS


Congratulations to all the winners of the 2026 JICC Nengajo Contest! Held from October 20th through December 17th, 2025, this year’s contest attracted over 400 submissions from across the United States and multiple countries. Make sure to come see this year’s entries in-person at the JICC at our January seasonal pop-up exhibit! Check out our online Flickr Gallery to see all of the submissions to our 15th Annual Nengajo Contest. 🐴



FIRST PLACE



Hazel B. (11) from VA
Junior Category 1st Place
Hazel B. (11) from VA


Ada C. (14) from VA
Youth Category 1st Place
Ada C. (14) from VA


Jessie N. (26) from MD
Adult Category 1st Place
Jessie N. (26) from MD


SECOND PLACE



Imperial J. (10/11) from VA
Junior Category 2nd Place
Imperial J. (10/11) from VA


Isabella G. (14) from FL
Youth Category 2nd Place
Isabella G. (14) from FL


Junko S. (53) from DC
Adult Category 2nd Place
Junko S. (53) from DC


HONORABLE MENTION
JICC Director's Choice



Tiffany R. (8) from NC
Junior Category
Tiffany R. (8) from NC


Daniela P. (20) from MO
Adult Category
Daniela P. (20) from MO




HONORABLE MENTION
Most Traditional



Natsuki T. (23) from MD
Adult Category
Natsuki T. (23) from MD


Rui K. (25) from TX
Adult Category
Rui K. (25) from TX


Caroline R. (35) from VA
Adult Category
Caroline R. (35) from VA


Sarah N. (30) from WA
Adult Category
Sarah N. (30) from WA




HONORABLE MENTION
Most Creative



Sarah M. (34) from VA
Adult Category
Sarah M. (34) from VA


Tyson K. (16) from CA
Youth Category
Tyson K. (16) from CA


Sonya R. (15) from VA
Youth Category
Sonya R. (15) from VA


Tyler I. (16) from CA
Youth Category
Tyler I. (16) from CA