October Kitsuke

Busy, busy October...This year October seems to has transformed members of Hanafusa okiya into busy postal pigeons. Preparations for erikae of Maiko Kikutsuru, weekly ozashiki as well as lessons, classes and rehearsals before the Mizuekai leave little time for laziness.

Okaasan Geiko Kikuyu

Proud okaasan Kikuyu during this special month has decided to wear solid purple semiformal kimono with autumn water scenery - the pattern is located under the waist line and features water stream, maple leafs and golden bell-flower design. It is tied with light silver obi, that was woven dance fans. Obiage and obijime are of red color and go well with the flowers on the juban.
This month is significant for okaasan, as this month her daughter and heiress Maiko Kikutsuru will debut as geiko. Years of hard work, thousand hours of classes and rehearsals, and hundred thousands of L$ have been spent to make a beautiful Krayukai flower, known as Kikutsuru of Hanafusa, to bloom in its fullest. Now Hanafusa okiya has 2 active Geiko, 3 active maiko and several shikomi making Hanafusa okiya of the most active okiya in Second Life. And this is all thanks to okaasan Kikuyu, her passion for Maiko and Geiko culture that she continues to pledge in her daughters and in Secold Life Karyukai.

Maiko/Geiko Kikutsuru

In the middle of the month, Kikutsuru san will finally "turn the collar" and become the first Hanafusa maiko to have erikae! Otano moshimasu Kikutsuru san!

The time has come for Kikutsuru san to wear her lavishing, created specially for this event Kuromontsuki as she is near the finish of her maiko career. Her black formal kimono features ocean waves that clash into the mountain islands. Upon the waves we can see seagulls and on the islands we can see several matsu (pine) trees. the golden obi sash catches the eye - made from the highest quality silk, it must have cost a fortune. It features pine motif, which is quite symbolical as in Japan pine is a symbol of longevity, steadfastness and wisdom in age.
Her eri collar is special too - it is purely red, with small gold and silver dots. This type of collar is worn by maiko only during time before the erikae.
This outfit shall be worn up to the 11th of October. On that day a special ceremony known as Dampatsu no Shiki will take place and after it Kikutsuru san shall never wear young maiko outfits again.
After the official day of Erikae, Kikutsuru san will wear full regalia for several days more and after she will switch to her semiformal october outfit. Now let's look closely at 2nd photo on the left. Solid beige kimono with eye-catching golden hem as well as pine design, tied with sister obi of the one worn by Geiko Kikuyu -isn't this the perfect look for a fresh geiko?!
In her hands she is holding kago, that is made in shibori style.
Her make up has changed as well - now she wears extremely little of pink and red shade, her eyebrows feature only tiny bit of red, same is with tint of pink in the corner of her eyes. All of these changes signifies her maturity.
No more high okobo - only senryou geta and zouri shall now be worn by Kikutsuru san.

Maiko Kikumaru

After Kikutsuru san becomes Geiko, Kikumaru san will be the most Senior Maiko in Hanafusa okiya.

During October events you are certain to see Maiko Kikumaru wearing light purple solid hikizuri with colorful chrysanthemums. Chrysanthemum or Kiku (in Japan) is the flower of October as well as is the part of names of all Hanafusa okiya members so no wonder that a lot of this flower design would would be seen on outfits of Maiko. Also this flower is considered auspicious as these flowers bloom when no other flowers do.
It is tied with orange obi that has small snowdrifts, kind of giving us a hint that winter is soon to come.
In her hands she is holding a kago handbag that is has extremely autumn design - it has ginko pattern that is one of the autumn symbols.
Her head is crowned with seasonal triple Kiku hanakanzashi and white and purple kushi comb.
At the back you can notice the change - the Tama hairpin is now featuring Coral ball, not summery Jade.

Maiko Kikune

Now lets have a look at October semiformal kitsuke of Maiko Kikune. Her hanakanzashi feature 3 bright yellow chrysanthemums in the front and a flowerbridge with 5 same yellow chrysanthemums at the back. She also has smaller pins like seasonal maezashi and bira bira pin at the front, while hirauchi and coral tama at the back.
The hikizuri she is wearing is of plain green color with wave and wheel motif. This piece is considered rather multi seasonal yet it is best to wear during autumn - early spring.
Her obi sash is extremely bright colored and fits well her light kimono.
Her collar has less and less red left to cover with white thread, which means that soon she will switch her collar to the one worn by a senior maiko.

Maiko Kikushino

In October you can spot Kikushino chan wearing lavishing hikizuri made in shibori style. Shibori, or tie-dyeing, is a Japanese manual resist dyeing technique, that involves binding, stitching, folding or clamping of the cloth prior to immersion in the dye, the color thus not penetrating the protected areas. It takes many weeks to create one piece thus the price can get as high as several hundred thousand yen. It is held with bright orange obi, that is embroidered with golden thread and  can be worn whole year around.
The juban Kikushino san is wearing has pine needle pattern.
On her feet she has high okobo with red stripes, which symbolize her junior status.
Tabi, work by maiko, are always white! In case they get dirty or get wet, no need to worry - maiko and geiko always have spare pair or several of those in their kago baskets.