Autumn is around the corner, yet in Japan September is considered a Summer month. So do not hesitate to visit Kyoto Kagai sim to enjoy the last warm summery days and as well as the company of Geiko and Maiko from the Hanafusa okiya.
Now lets talk about the September kitsuke of Hanafusa okiya ladies :)
Geiko Kikutsuru and Geiko Kikumaru
Atatori of Hanafusa Okiya
Geiko Kikutsuru has chosen subtle navy blue kimono with design featuring summer flowers. It is tied with obi that has distinctive pattern known in japanese as "Kikko Mon". This pattern is a geometric pattern made up of many regular hexagons. It is considered auspicious as it resembles the geometrical pattern of the tortoise shell and tortoise are conspired to be the symbols for wisdom, luck, protection, and longevity; old beliefs mention that "Kame" unites heaven and earth, with its shell representing heaven and its square underside representing earth.
Her Katsura is decorated with white rabbit maezashi (as soon there will be "otsukimi" or moon viewing festival) and kushi. At the back there is Tama with nephrite.
Geiko Kikumaru is wearing dlicate pink kimono with flowers on uchiwa (summer fan) and a river design. Kawa(river) or winding stream represents continuity and the future. It also has a cooling affect on the viewer. Uchiwa with peonies, chrysanthemums, momiji and other plants and flowers is more of combined design, that can be worn from late spring till autumn. The green obi with golden geometrical pattern goes well with the kimono and is tied in a taiko musubi knot.
Her hair is decorated with Asagao hairpin, that is flower symbol of September. Morning glory flower is one of the few flowers today that is instantly recognized as a summer motif in Japan and can be seen on the kimono and pins from June till September.
Maiko Kikune and Maiko Kikushino
For September Maiko Kikune has chosen subtle white hikizuri. The design is Susuki or pampass grass and is worn from August to October. It is simple but elegant grass that is an essential decoration for otsukimi, the mid-autumn moon viewing festival. It is tied with bright green darari obi that goes well with hikizuri. Obiage is tucked into the obi - it is custom in Miyagwacho for their Maiko to start tucking obiage right after becoming Senior.
Her hair is styled in Ofuku - Senior Maiko hairstyle and is decorated with big Kikyou hanakanzashi, kushi, smaller kikyou maezashi, bira bira kanzashi, hirauchi and nephrite tama.
In September you can see Maiko Kikushino wearing light hikizuri with colorful "tonbo" or dragonfly design all over the kimono. Another old name for dragonfly is “katsumushi” - victory insect, which made dragonflies symbols of courage, strength, and happiness. As a seasonal symbol, the dragonfly is associated with late summer and early autumn. The Darari obi, worn by Maiko Kikushino, is bright orange with dancing fan motif.
Her hair is styled in Wareshinobu (this hairstyle is only worn by minarai and junior maiko) and is decorated with fashionable seasonal kanzashi(this month it is Kikyou or Chinese bellflower).
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