March 18, 2017

Performing at Yasaka Jinja...

by Annie Brightstar
Higashiyama Hanatoro (also written Hanatouro) is one of the two Hanatoro events held in Kyoto sim every year; the other one being Arashiyama Hanatoro in December. There is really a lot to see at Higashiyama Hanatoro, from dancing Hanafusa Maiko to Yasaka Jinja beautifully bathed in light. Higashiyama Hanatoro is held while it should still be a bit early for sakura cherry blossoms but you should be able to see plum blossoms.

The event is a chance for you to see Kyoto in a new spring light – with a lot less light, one could also say. Walk in the narrow streets of Higashiyama and hope that an apprentice geisha, maiko, comes by, or just go see the maiko dance at Yasaka Shrine where you are guaranteed to see them!
Pictures: by Annie Brightstar

March 15, 2017

Application Hanafusa Okiya - Open for two weeks

Do you like to be a member of Hanafusa okiya?
You are provided with a near real life course or training in Japanese History and culture.
You will learn how to be a Geiko ( term for Geisha in Kyoto)
At the moment we have open space for 3 Shikomi. 
Contact  Maiko Kikutsuru of Hanafusa (Miehina resident) if you are interesting in starting your journey in a close family such as Hanafusa, that focus on realism and quality.

Taxi: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Midnight%20Sun/144/105/25

March 8, 2017

March Kitsuke

Geiko Kikuyu 

For March okasan Kikuyu has chosen susohiki in solid yellowish color. A nice woven obi with folded fans accompanies her outfit.
After the erikae, when maiko becomes geiko, hairstyles change to styled katsura(wigs). We can see a nicely styles katsura worn by geiko Kikuyu on the picture. Her hair is decorated with small but very stylish accessory called maezashi.
White tabi is a must and a spare pair is always carried in maiko/geiko's kago.

Senior Maiko Kikutsuru

Senior Maiko Kikutsuru is wearing beautiful and very expensive mint hikizuri, with fan motif on it. If we look closely every fan has a seasonal flower painted on it: plums, irises, peonies, etc. A long darari obi, worn only by maiko, holds the kimono tight and features woven golden motif.
Her hairstyle is called ofuku. It is decorated with seasonal kanzashi - (daffodil is flower sr Maiko wear during March)

Senior Maiko Kikumaru

For this month, Maiko Kikmaru has decided to wear a special hikizuri, presented to her by a good friend. The background of it is solid green with hand-painted white apple blossoms. Her obi is decorated with gold and silver threads, creating a beautiful flowery design.
As she is senior maiko(like Kikutsuru san) she has her hair styled in ofuku hairstyle and decorated with seasonal daffodil flower.


Junior Maiko Kikune

Jr Maiko Kikune has debuted last year in July, so she still is "new" in the kagai. She has worked as a maiko less than a year so she is painting only her lower lip and is wearing nanohana kanzashi with shidare(long chains of silk flowers). She looks so young and fresh, truly a spring flower.
Hikizuri worn by Kikune chan is wearing a soft pink hikizuri with plum blossoms on it. Obi is decorated with woven ornament,

Junior maiko Kikushino

Maiko Kikushino is wearing very beautiful pale green silk hikizuri with flowers hand-painter all over - pink plum blossoms look like dancing around. Her amazing darari obi is decorated with hand-painted uchiwa fans. If we look at the closely, we can see that every uchiwa had different flower design.
Her hair is decorated with nanohana blossom flowers and small butterflies - a perfect kanzashi choice for junior maiko.

Junior Maiko Kikuyae

Junior Maiko Kikuyae is wearing light yellow color with spring flowers, hand-painted by talented kimono artist. Although it has some multi seasonal motifs, it goes really good with the sakura kazashi on her head. Her darari obi is purple with beautiful gold butterlies pattern. This obi motif is to bring luck and the feeling of springtime.
As she is still Jr Maiko, her hairtyle is Wareshinobu - same as her neesan's Maiko Kikune and Maiko Kikushino.

Higashiyama Hanatouro invitation

Maiko Kikuyae(beige) and Maiko Kikutsuru(green)
You are cordially invited to enjoy the Festival of Hanatoro.

In the event of this the Maiko of Hanafusa will perform for you as well as you get a chance meeting the newest members of our family.
as the streets light up in the evening the lanterns of the Yasaka Jinja shrine is lit up and visible from a distance!

Meet us in the shrine at 10.55 am slt and get ready to view the elegant performance of professional dancers.

Date: Saturday 11th of March
Time: 11 am slt -star

Taxi: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Midnight%20Sun/182/136/26

March 6, 2017

Hina Matsuri celebrations

Dear patrons of Kyoto Kagai sim,
Thank you for celebrating Hina Matsuri with us. We look forward to seeing You later this month!
For those who wanted but couldn't participate, i'll give a small report. The celebrations took place at the renewed Gion Higashi ochaya. Guests were welcomed by Maiko of Hanafusa okiya togather with magnificent display of Hina dolls, that belong to okiya.
For Maiiko Kikune, Kikushino and Kikuyae it was first Hina Matsuri in their profession so this celebrations was very special.
After the sweets were served and tea was drunk, Maiko Kikutsuru entertained the guests with beautiful dance, featuring springtime story.

 
As part of Hina Matsuri calabrations, Maiko san accompanied guests towards the Yasaka Jinja shrine.



Photographer: Maiko Kikuyae