August 15, 2018

Yukatakai at Miyagawacho Kaburenjo

On Saturday 25th of August Geiko and Maiko of Hanafusa okiya will perform in the Summer odori - Yukata Kai
You are welcome to come enjoy this 4 act performance.
Time of arrival: 10.55 am slt
Time odori begin: 11 am slt
Time odori ends: 12 pm slt
Pictures after are to be taken in the room between exit and theater audience room. Maiko will attend photo shoot. During performance you may take pictures as long as they do not interfere the performance.

In case you would like to receive a poster, please contact Maiko Kikumaru(belliebeth) in world.

August 14, 2018

Celebrating Tanabata 2018

One of my favorite celebrations with a wonderful story background and traditions. It celebrates the meeting of the deities lovers, Orihime and Hikoboshi (represented by the stars Vega and Altair respectively), after a year separation.
To start with, it can be celebrated on the exact same date yearly (7th of July due to Gregorian calendar) OR on a "floating" date (lunar calendar) which is around August. As you can see, the date can vary from region to region. It also often also depends on the weather, especially in Kyoto where weather can be quite unpredictable.
This year celebrations of Tanabata at Kyoto Kagai sim was held on Saturday 11 am slt and the weather was more than pleasant. Before the event, Maiko from Hanafusa okiya took lessons and in the midday they started preparing and decorating the area - they hung Orizuru (paper cranes, wish for good luck), Kinchaku (kind of paper bag decoration for good luck in business), Fukinagashi and of course Tanzaku (handwritten wishes) on the bamboo, growing along the path towards a small yet cozy hut where the celebrations were to take place. After they have finished preparations, they returned to the okiya, changed to celebratory yukata and, joined by Maiko Kikutsuru who has returned from an engagement, walked towards the arriving guests.
In the cozy atmosphere of the hut, after refreshments and summer dishes were served, Kikutsuru san told romantic yet sad story of two lover deities making some guests shed a tear, yet at the end everyone looked at the sky, smiling and wishing Orihime and Hikoboshi to meet and never ever to go apart...

Obon celebrations at Kyoto Kagai sim

What can be better than an event where you can play games, win different prizes, eat delicious fatty and sweet stall foods, dance an ancient dance and when night comes gather with friends and tell scary stories?! Yes, its August and time for Obon celebrations in Kyoto Kagai sim.
This year celebrations are going to be enormous! Sooo many things to try, so many games to play and soo many stories to hear from members of Hanafusa okiya or maybe you know one as well?
Date: Saturday 18th of August
Time: 11 am slt
Taxi: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Kyoto/68/180/31

August 10, 2018

August Kitsuke

This month members of Hanafusa okiya took a photo shot near one of the most popular yet hidden spots at Kyoto Kagai sim. This is a small Tatsumi shrine, which is a replica of a RL shine and street of Kyoto where maiko and geiko can be often spotted. We welcome guests and patrons to discover this hidden gem  alongside many other at our beloved sim :)

Geiko Kikuyu


Semiformal outfit of Okaasan Kikuyu represents summer festivities - fireworks during Obon and Tanabata. Also, this month will have special celebration, important not only to Hanafusa okiya but to whole Karyukai of SL - debut of the new Geiko. No wonder okaasan has decided to wear absolutely new piece for this month. Beautiful pink obi with blue design holds is tied into "drum" knot.
Her hair is a wig, known as katsura, is styled in the taka shimada hairstyle. No hanakanzashi are worn by geiko, but small decorative maezashi, Tama hairpin at the back and kushi(comb) made from wood of more expensive materials.
On her feet she is wearing special kind of geta yet they can change to more comfortable zouri.

Maiko Kikutsuru


In the previous post, it was confirmed that Kikutsuru san has started her pre erikae period, meaning she will soon become geiko. For those who would like to know more, please click >here<
Kikutsuru san is not wearing any common kitsuke, yet very special. The kimono she is wearing is called iromontsuki. It features 5 crests of the okiya and is made of the finest silk. This peace was specially ordered alongside other pieces on the occasion of Kikutsuru sans transaction to geiko - her erikae. The design features water, herons and willow.
Beautiful light beige obi, decorated with golden thread design, holds this rare piece tightly.
During this period, which is usually called pre-sakkou, Yakko Shimada hairstyle is worn. Kanzashi are specially ordered and feature lucky motifs, such as pine worn by Kikutsuru san, spider chrysanthemums etc. Kushi and maezashi, worn during this special time, are usually made from expensive materials, such as mother pearl, tortoise shell, corals.
In other aspects, atatori of Hanafusa okiya, wears same as her younger sister and imouto, Maiko Kikumaru - tall okobo, red juban and kago.

Maiko Kikumaru


This August Maiko Kikumaru will be wearing stripe hikizuri with fan shaped design and summer flower design. Worn by Maiko Kikutsuru in July, this peace can be worn during whole summer. It is tied with long Darari obi, that has golden cloud and geometrical motifs on deep green background. One look on the whole outfit gives a sense of juicy summer fruits and greenery.
Her hairstyle is simple one,worn by any senior maiko - Ofuku. Kanzashi that crown her hairstyle are Susuki or pampas grass, which is August kanzashi that is worn by both senior and junior maiko. The only difference, that is done in Miyagawacho (both SL and RL), is that senior maiko wear simple comb while juniors must wear elaborate flower bridge.
As all other members from her okiya, in her hands she is holding kago bag. Her's is pink with paulownia pattern with a heart lucky char. attached.

Maiko Kikune


This month Kikune san is wearing pure white hikizuri with wisteria blossoms and bamboo fence. Tied with gold and black obi, her outfit definitely catches the eye. Especially, a beautiful purple butterfly pocchiri, that fits beautifully with the purple wisteria flowers on the hikizuri.
Kikune san is possibly soon to become senior - her outfits are getting more and more mature yet not too mature. She still looks as a beautiful young second year maiko.
In her hands she is holding kago bag that was first worn by her on the day of her misedashi - it has her kanji embroidered with silver thread and a lucky charm with her name on it as well.
Wareshinobu is the hairstyle worn by Maiko Kikune, as she is nevertheless junior maiko. Kanzashi are seasonal, and same are worn by all ranks of maiko.

Maiko Kikushino


In August you can spot Maiko Kikushino wearing beautiful deep purple hikizuri that features lake scenery with lotus and ajisai (hydrangea). Her obi is woven, with blue hydrangea and geometrical motifs.
Her collar has more red than Maiko Kikune's as Kikushino san has been less in profession. In some time, eventually Kikushino chan will get to wear eri with more white and less red.
Also her make up has more pink and red to show off the youthfulness of a young maiko.
The hairstyle of maiko Kikushino is same as Kikune san, and is known as wareshinobu. It is decorate with seasonal Susuki kanzashi. August is one of those months when young maiko, who have worked less than a year, do not wear "dangling" kanzashi.
As well as her older sisters, Kikushino san is wearing high okobo shoes.

August 1, 2018

Hassaku 2018

from left to right: Maiko Kikushino(pink), Maiko Kikumaru(beige),
Maiko Kikutsuru(blue) and Maiko Kikune(green)
1st of August is always one of the most busy and important days for Hanafusa okiya members as this is the day of Hassaku. This year is really special for this famous okiya  as it is first Hassaku for Maiko Kikushino (as she has debuted not long ago) and last for Maiko Kikutsuru, who will become Geiko soon.
What is Hassaku and why is it considered that important? Well, it is similar to greeting rounds that take place in winter(Shin Aishatsu) but, of course, there are several differences. Every year on this hot summer day, all okiya members from Miyagawacho Hanamachi dress up in their casual komon or iromuji and go on rounds, paying respects to teachers, establishments and sometimes long time patrons. Indeed, this takes time to make all visits and greet people that play important if not major part in the life of the okiya - kimono makers, local shop keepers, kanzashi makers, fan and prop maker etc.
If you have seen pictures from Hassaku, you might have noticed that some Maiko and Geiko wear most formal kimono called kuromontsuki while others (as do Hanafusa maiko on the picture) - simpler kimono and no make up. So who wears what during Hassaku?
Gion Kobu: Maiko san and Geiko san from Gion Kobu hanamachi wear formal regalia (kuromontsuki with 5 crests of the okiya and formal obi, formal make up with 3 stripes, tortoise shell kanzashi alongside with august pampas hanakanzashi; in case or senior maiko hairstyle is called Yakko Shimada, while junior maiko wear their hair styled in Wareshinobu).
Gion Higashi: casual komon or iromuji, no make up, hairstyle: Wareshinobu or Ofuku
Kamishichiken: casual komon or iromuji, no make up, hairstyle: Wareshinobu or Ofuku
Miyagawacho: casual komon or iromuji, no make up, hairstyle: Wareshinobu or Ofuku
Pontocho: casual komon or iromuji, no make up, hairstyle: Wareshinobu or Ofuku
This is one of the best times to see the members of Kagai, as they flow through streets in small groups. This is also a good time for you to notice the changes that have occurred: who has become senior, who is now tying her obiage, who has returned to kagai etc.

Amazing news! Rumors have been true!

Yes, the rumors have been true and we finally can confirm that atatori of Hanafusa okiya Maiko Kikutsuru will soon become Geiko. She has officially started styling her hair in yakko shimada on Saturday 27th of July 2018. This initiates her Pre sakkou stage and it is expected that within the start of this Fall, whole Kyoto Kagai sim and Hanafusa okiya and will celebrate their first Erikae since that of the okaasan Kikuyu. This will also be first erikae in about 3 years in SL.
Her outfit and kanzashi are all custom made for this special occasion and are quite expensive yet this shows the how prosperous her okiya is.
Maiko Kikutsuru said: "I want to say I am very grateful for all the support I have been provided, and for the good wishes, and creators who together made my custom outfits ^_^Yoroshiku otano moshimasu ".
We welcome everyone to witness the final months of Maiko Kikutsuru as Maiko during the ozashiki and public performances that will take place this month. Please feel free to come with friends and family to witness the birth of a newest Geiko of Second life