Obon is a a Japanese Buddhist festival that dates back over 500 years. The Obon Festival is a celebration of joy where we show our gratitude and appreciation for our ancestors who came before us.

The obi (帯) is the sash used to hold the folds of the kimono or yukata in place. During the festival, each dance may require different types of “gear”, including sensu (folding fan), uchiwa (round fan), kachi kachi (castanets), or tenegui (towel). Instead of returning to one’s bag in between each song, many will tuck their “gear” into their obi (as pictured).

Using Adobe Illustrator, I drew each of the items separately. I started with a simple black and white line drawing before filling. After color, I assembled the pieces: the obi, tenugui, kachi kachis, and sensu.

I pulled the final illustration into Photoshop and stacked the type in Futura.