May 31, 2018

Open-air events are back!

Summer season has already started in Japan and this means that summer activities are now available at Kyoto Kagai sim - open-air ozashiki on the Kamo river, beer garden events, gatcha, excursions and many many more are awaiting for you. 
Let's enjoy this summer together!
Maiko Kikutsuru (light blue), Maiko Kikune (green) and Maiko Kikushino (navy blue)

May 21, 2018

Applications - Hanafusa Okiya - Open

Hanafusa Okiya welcomes applications this May and June to their education program. You will be provided with realistic classes, expectations, and sisterhood. We value the traditions and art of the Geiko. If you are interested in applying, please ask Kikutsuru ( Miehina resident) for an application.

Hanafusa Okiya is family and traditions

For more information and if you need an application nc, please visit our sim http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Kyoto/225/180/31

May 17, 2018

May Kitsuke

After the Kyo odori, that took place in the end of April and the Misedashi of Maiko Kikushino that took place last weekend, Hanafusa okiya is finally returning to its usual schedule. The tortoise shell antique kanzashi have been returned to their boxes and formal kimono have been hidden in the wardrobe until next celebration - what will it be, Misedashi or maybe Erikae?!


Okaasan Geiko Kikuyu


Okaasan of Hanafusa okiya in her May attire
For the last month of Spring, Kikuyu-okaasan decided on pale yellow, should i say, even cream semiformal kimono with hand-painted irises and willow. All this unique ensemble is held with obi, tied in taiko style knot. This obi is quite interesting - the background is made with black and white squares, and upon it there are flowers of asagao or morning glory. This small flower is considered summer time pattern and together with kimono gives a clear message "The spring is soon to end, prepare for summer heat".
The juban is pink and is worn by senior geiko (Kikuyu san has been geiko since 2012 so she is considered senior member of the SL Kagai). Red juban is worn by junior geiko and by any geiko during formal events.
On her feet Okaasan is wearing Senryoo geta.


Senior Maiko Kikutsuru


Atatori of Hanafusa okiya in her May attire
Now lets look at the may kitsuke worn by Atatori(heiress) and most senior maiko in Hanafusa okiya - Kikutsuru san. The background of her hikizuri is some between green and grey, with blue and white irises. This hikizuri reminds me of a pond with wild irises blooming near - this is refreshing effect that this kimono has on a viewer. It is tied with woven obi with butterflies.
Hairstyle - Ofuku - is worn only be senior maiko. It requires different from Junior Maiko kanzashi style - 1 or 3 big flowers, worn on the right side of the front bun. Also the seasonal flowers for Senior maiko may differ from the ones worn by Junior - for example in May Senior Maiko wear Iris or can wear wisteria, while Juniors are restricted to wisteria only. Maiko in Miyagawacho start to use kushi comb right after they become Senior.
In her hand, Kikutsuru san is holding pink kago that fits the hanao silk straps on her high okobo

Senior Maiko Kikumaru


Senior Maiko Kikumaru of Hanafusa okiya in her May kitsuke
After Kikutsuru san comes Senior Maiko Kikumaru, who is wearing yellow hikizuri with motif of irises and a flow. An iris by a running stream evokes the tenth century ‘Tale of Ise’: poet, who travels far, arrives at Yatsuhashi, sees irises in full bloom and is struck by such longing for his wife left in far Kyoto that he writes a verse for her beginning each line with a syllable from the flower’s name ‘ka-ki-tsu-ba-ta’(Japanese word for iris that grows on semi-wet land; ayame - iris that grows on the dry land). It is tied with greed obi that has yellow geometrical pattern. Obiage (cloth at the top of the obi) it tucked into the obi - in Miyagawacho hanamachi all maiko, who become senior do so while in other Hanamachi maiko tie obiage cloth upon their obi right till the time before erikae.

Junior Maiko Kikune

Junior Maiko Kikune wearing her May semiformal outfit
May is also month when kimono with peony motif are worn and you can see one unique piece worn by Maiko Kikune - on the light blue silk there are pink and white peonies and upon them are golden clouds that are usually seen on the byobu screens. Also known as the ‘King of Flowers’, the peony is a symbol of good fortune, bravery and honor.
While looking at her kanzashi you may ask - why is junior Maiko wearing senior flower? In Miyagawacho, when a junior Maiko is not far from becoming Senior, she is allowed to start wearing senior Kanzashi, but with one difference - she cannot use kushi comb but the flower bridge.
In her hand she is holding a custom made kago bag with her professional name embroidered on it.

Junior Maiko Kikushino


Junior Maiko Kikushino in her May attire
The youngest Maiko in Hanafusa okiya, Maiko Kikushino, this month will wear beautiful gradient hikizuri with hand-painted bamboo and wisteria motif. Japanese symbolism for the wisteria is:love, sensuality, support, sensitivity, bliss and tenderness. Wisteria blossom also expresses wish for good luck and even serious devotion - that is why we can see this motif on so many formal kimono.
Obi is worth a look as well - it is very colorful and fits the kimono perfectly.
Her hairstyle is called Wareshinobu, and the monthly kanzashi motif, worn by Maiko Kikushino, is wisteria or fuji.
Kikushino chan has debuted this month (11-13th of May) under the wing of Maiko Kikumaru, she is still very new, and are thankful for all the support that was given by you, dear readers and patrons.

May 13, 2018

Misedashi. Day 3 "Private Celebration"

Sneak-peak from behind the curtain
Last but not least, on day 3 we continued to receive congratulations and best wishes for the newly debuted Maiko Kikushino. Kikushino san and her oneesan are thankful for all the attention and support.
When evening came, it was time for one more event, one more ozashiki. As this event is private, we will not post pictures from it, just a small photo taken outside from behind the curtain on this special, yet final day of Kikushino chan's misedashi. Let's all together give our "Aspiring Chrysanthemum" a warm welcome into the profession and wish her luck on the artistic path she has chosen.
"Omedetou san dosu Kikushino san!
Your okaasan, oneesan and neesan's wish you prosperity and welcome you to the profession!"

May 11, 2018

Misedashi. Day 1: Sansan Kudo Ceremony

San san Kudo Ceremony where Maiko Kikumaru and Maiko Kikushino
Are bonded as oneesan(older sister, mentor) and imouto
Misedashi - is the most important events in any maiko's life. From now on, you are seen as official part of the Kagai, no matter if its RL or SL.
And one of the most important events in Misedashi is the ceremony called San san Kudo, which can be translated as "three times three". What is about this ceremony that makes it so special? Well, this is the ceremony or better to say a ritual, similar to the one used in weddings, that is performed to bound a new Maiko (imouto) and her Oneesan (maiko or geiko who will be her mentor, "older sister"). There is also highly respected and honorable person, who performs the ceremony - in Hanafusa okiya it is Okaasan. Like it is during the wedding, the Sake is poured into 3 different cups which represent different yet important aspects. When drinking, you bring the sake cup 2 times to your lips and only by the 3rd sip you can sip. That is how you get three times three! This ceremony is so important that participants wear most formal kuromontsuki (formal hikizuri with 5 crests of the okiya) and most expensive hair ornaments.
Though Sansan kudo ceremony is no public and can not be witnessed, we would like to welcome everyone to public celebrations on the Misedashi (debut) of Maiko Kikushino of Hanafusa okiya that will take place this Saturday 11 am slt at Hanahusa ochaya.

May 10, 2018

Misedashi of Maiko Kikushino of Hanafusa okiya

It is an honor and pleasure to announce the Misedashi (debut) of Maiko Kikushino of Hanafusa okiya, that will take place this weekend.
To celebrate this special day, on Saturday, May 12th, at 11 am slt Hanahusa ochaya will hold special Misedashi Ozashiki with high class Kyo Kaiseki, served by Hanafusa okiya members dressed in their Best attires. The highlight of the event will be beautiful dance and poem, performed by the newest flower of SL Kagai, who's name means "Your Aspiring Chrysanthemum"
❀ Date: Saturday 12th of May
❀ Time: 11 am slt
❀ Taxihttp://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Kyoto/225/180/31



May 6, 2018

New maiko to debut soon! + accepting orders for congratulation poster

Minarai Kikushino performing her exam before okaasan,
maiko Kikutsuru and maiko Kikumaru
Many months of hard studying and relentless work have finally given its fruit - Minarai Kikushino has passed her maiko exam and will be allowed to debut as Maiko of Hanafusa okiya under Maiko Kikumaru as her oneesan.
Her debut starts this Friday May 11th. and during that weekend you will be able to meet her wearing her special Misedashi costume.

In the event of her debut we are now taking orders for the congratulation posters. If you wish to have one assigned to Kikushino chan with your name I ask that you contact me with a nc including your name and kanji if you wish it to be in kanji.

* Misedashi - formal debut of Maiko, literary means "open for business". New maiko is presented to hanamachi and the society. She wears Kuromontsuki(formal, black, crested kimono) with with matching formal golden obi and with the okiya crest on the bottom. No obijime or obidome. During Misedashi maiko wears wareshinobu hairstyle with distinguishable kanzashi: special hair ornaments of tortoiseshell called chirikan, two ougi bira kanzashi( silver, fan-shaped kanzashi with silver flutters hanging by rings). She will also wear miokuri(bands of metal sticking out from the bottom of the bun).