New Year's Card Design "Brush Stroke Material Set" | Reiwa 8 / Showa 101 / Hand-drawn Horse [Commercial Use OK]
Jan 01, 2026
Brush Calligraphy for the 2026 Year of the Horse, Written by a Professional Calligrapher
The power of characters in New Year's greetings and designs is immense. The "ink variations" and "brush strokes" that cannot be replicated by existing fonts will leave a lasting impression on viewers.
This material set is a special collection of brush calligraphy created for 2026 (Reiwa 8 / Showa 101), utilizing techniques cultivated in professional calligraphy.
What you can do with this brush calligraphy set
Simply by placing an image, your creative work will achieve a professional finish.
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For designs that highlight whitespace
The unique "fading" and "pooling" of brush calligraphy transform even simple white space into part of the design.
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Break free from "template-like" designs
Unlike the uniform characters often found in New Year's card software and free material sites, the inherent warmth and power of handwritten calligraphy leave a strong impression on the recipient.
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Instantly create a "New Year's atmosphere"
On web banners and SNS posts, simply placing this brush calligraphy in one spot will tighten up the entire screen, creating a celebratory atmosphere of the New Year.
Set Contents (Original Calligraphy)
A versatile lineup tailored to the 2026 calendar.
Era Name / Western Calendar Year
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2026 (Modern Japanese numeral design)
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令和八年 (Most frequently used standard notation)
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令和８年 (Supports both horizontal and vertical writing)
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平成三十八年 (Notation using the Heisei count)
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昭和101年 (2026 marks the momentous 101st year, surpassing Showa 100. Addresses retro/nostalgia demand)
Zodiac (Twelve Branches)
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午 (Kanji: Traditional, dignified impression)
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馬 (Kanji: Powerful, dynamic)
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うま (Hiragana: Soft, approachable)
https://youkaen-store.com/products/2026fudemoji
Recommended Uses
Can be used in a wide range of situations, for both individuals and businesses.
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New Year's Cards (Personal / Business)
From formal designs for superiors and business partners to casual greetings for friends.
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E-commerce / Store Promotion
For "Hatsuuuri (First Sale)" and "New Year's Sale" banners, decorations for category top images, and in-store POP designs.
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SNS Posts (Instagram / X)
As an eye-catching image for New Year's greeting posts. The hiragana "uma" material is perfectly suited for posts with a gentle atmosphere.
Tips for Differentiating Between "午," "馬," and "うま"
Even though they all mean "horse," the impression conveyed changes significantly depending on the character chosen.
| Character | Impression | Recommended Scenario |
| 午 | Formality, Tradition | New Year's cards to superiors, official business greetings, shrine posters, and other situations requiring respect. |
| 馬 | Classic, Dynamic | General New Year's cards, New Year's greetings from sports teams, corporate banners wanting to convey strength. |
| うま | Approachability, Softness | New Year's cards to friends and relatives, newsletters from nurseries and schools, casual greetings on social media, handwritten-style menus at restaurants. |
Calligrapher's Tip
"午" (uma) represents one of the twelve earthly branches (time and direction) and emphasizes "season" rather than the animal itself. "馬" (uma), on the other hand, more easily expresses the vitality of the animal. Please choose according to your relationship with the recipient.
Terms of Use
This material can be freely used within the following rules.
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Commercial Use OK: Flyers, websites, videos, product packaging, etc.
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Modification/Editing OK: Change colors, transform, crop, etc., adjust freely to suit your design.
【Prohibited Actions】
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Secondary distribution/resale of materials: It is prohibited to redistribute or sell the material data itself to a third party, whether for a fee or free of charge.
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Registration on material sites: Posting to stock photo sites such as Illustrator AC or PIXTA is not permitted.
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Trademark registration: This lettering cannot be registered as a trademark.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. For New Year's cards, which is easier to use, "午" or "馬"?
A. It depends on the purpose. If sending to a superior or mentor at work, the formal "午" representing the zodiac animal is appropriate. On the other hand, if you prioritize design impact and clarity, "馬" which conveys the dynamism of the animal is recommended.
Q. Is "うま" (uma in hiragana) acceptable for SNS posts?
A. Yes, it is very compatible. The hiragana "uma" is not intimidating and is ideal for sending New Year's greetings on Instagram stories or X (formerly Twitter) with a gentle tone.
Q. Should I include all era names (Reiwa/Showa/Heisei/Western Calendar)?
A. For New Year's cards alone, "2026" or "令和八年" is sufficient. However, if you want to create a Showa retro design, or need "昭和101年" for internal old calendar conversion documents or as a talking point, downloading the entire set will broaden your design possibilities.
Q. Can I use it for corporate New Year banners and in-store POPs?
A. Yes, you can use it without any problems. In addition to New Year's cards, it is widely used for New Year's sales and promotional materials such as "Hatsuuuri Sale" banners on e-commerce sites and "New Year's Menu" POPs in restaurants.
Q. Is the atmosphere of the characters consistent?
A. Yes. All characters are created by a calligrapher with experience in brush calligraphy, with adjustments made to ensure consistency in line thickness and ink bleeding (tone and manner) within the same set. Even when combining multiple characters in a layout, there will be no sense of incongruity.
Q. Can I redistribute it (as a material)?
A. No, you cannot. It is prohibited to transfer the material data itself to others or to make it publicly available for download. It is only permitted for use as part of your (or your company's) own creations.
