Furisode are a type of kimono beloved for their vibrant colors and elegantly flowing sleeves. Traditionally worn by young women in Japan on special occasions, they’re a symbol of celebration and grace. You can find these stunning traditional garments at coming-of-age ceremonies, weddings, and New Year festivities.

Celebrate in style with this collection of illustrations featuring furisode.

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Every January on pixiv, the platform bursts to life with festive illustrations ringing in the new year, some styled after traditional New Year’s cards. Filled with gorgeous depictions of the year’s zodiac animal, these artworks capture the celebratory spirit of a fresh start and personal renewal. Their vibrant energy will get you pumped for the months ahead!

Ring in the year of the horse with this collection of illustrations celebrating the new year!

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Hatsumode (lit. "first shrine visit") is the traditional Japanese custom of visiting a shrine or temple at the start of the new year to pray for health, happiness, and good fortune. People draw fortunes called omikuji, write their hopes on wooden plaques called ema, and welcome the new year with hearts full of hope.

Ring in the new year with this collection of illustrations featuring hatsumode.

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The New Year is one of the most important and celebrated holidays in Japan. From visiting shrines, drawing fortunes, painting calligraphy, and eating festive meals called osechi, the season is full of unique scenes that capture the wondrous and refreshing mood of entering a brand new year.

Ring in the new year with this collection of illustrations featuring New Year’s celebrations in Japan.

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If you’re familiar with the Chinese zodiac, you’ll know that 2025 is the Year of the Snake, specifically the Year of the Wood Snake. The most tenacious of the 12 zodiac animals, some regard the snake as a negative symbol, but they also symbolize good luck, rebirth, wisdom, and the pursuit of love and happiness. Each year on pixiv, users often create illustrations featuring that year’s zodiac animal, resulting in works that are colorful, festive, and full of hope for the year ahead of us.

Did any of these drawings slither their way into your heart?

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Today is Coming of Age Day in Japan! For those who’ve just reached the age of maturity, welcome to adulthood! On this day, you’ll see lots of people wearing furisode (振袖, lit. “swinging sleeves”), the most formal style of kimono worn by young unmarried women. Other than coming-of-age ceremonies, they’re also worn on special occasions such as hatsumōde, i.e., the first visit to a temple or shrine of the new year. Due to their colorful, eye-catching patterns and gorgeous obi, it’s no wonder many people opt for them—who wouldn’t want to feel like the star of the show on such an important day in their life?

Enjoy the following illustrations that are sure to put you in a celebratory and festive mood!

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And just like that, it’s already 2025! Happy New Year, dear pixivision readers!

As you might already know from various manga and anime, the New Year, aka oshōgatsu, is one of the most important holidays in Japan, much more than Christmas. As most businesses are closed, people usually visit shrines for hatsumode (the first shrine visit of the year), often in furisode (a style of formalwear kimono distinguishable by its long sleeves). Other traditions include watching the new year’s first sunrise, i.e., hatsu-hinode. And of course, we can’t forget about food! Osechi (traditional Japanese New Year foods) and ozōni (a Japanese soup with vegetables and rice cakes) are the most commonly eaten dishes during the New Year—even better if eaten in a warm, cozy kotatsu!

May you have an auspicious year filled with happiness!

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Are you familiar with the Japanese concept of hatsumode? Even if you’re not, you’ve probably seen scenes of it in anime or manga at some point. During this time of the year, many people visit shrines and temples to offer prayers for the New Year, seek out their fortunes for the year with omikuji, and write their wishes on ema (votive picture tablets). You’ll often see people dressed in traditional Japanese attire too, such as furisode kimono, making things seem all the more festive!

Do you celebrate any special traditions during the New Year? Hopefully, these illustrations will help you get your year off to a good start!

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While there might not be many opportunities to wear traditional clothing such as kimono nowadays, there’s a reason people continue to keep them alive and cherish them throughout the ages. With their colorful patterns to match the seasons and elegant silhouette, kimono can instantly transform an average Joe or plain Jane into a classy individual who will turn heads everywhere!

Take a look at the following illustrations and enjoy the many gorgeous designs that complement the wearers’ beauty—perhaps they’ll even inspire you to buy a kimono for yourself!

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In Japan, hatsumōde refers to the first visit to a temple or shrine in the new year and is part of the many beginning-of-the-year rituals. Some go to pray for good luck or health, some for a chance to meet “the one,” while others simply go for the omikuji, i.e., fortune slips. However you may choose to celebrate the New Year, the promise of a fresh start is one that is filled with a buzz of excitement bound to lift your spirits.

How will you be spending the New Year this year? Whether you’re starting off strong or relaxing at home, we hope it’s filled with much love and joy!

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Hatsumode is an event in Japan during which people visit shrines and temples at the very beginning of the year. People offer prayers for peace and determination in the New Year, seek out their fortunes for the year with omikuji, and write their wishes on ema (votive picture tablet). A hatsumode visit to a temple or shrine can make one feel as if they're starting the new year on a bright note.

Hu Tao (from Genshin Impact) looks splendid in her formal furisode kimono as she offers a prayer during a Hatsumode outing.

Hopefully taking a peek at the illustrations below will help you get your year off to a good start.

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