December 27, 2019
December 19, 2019
Christmas preparations in Hanafusa okiya
There is something special and sacred about these evening family gatherings...
Outside it's snowing, cold winter wind makes you want to stay in bed all the time...
And you go into the living room where your sisters have already gathered...
There is something about the warmth you share with them, on those cold winter days,
Sugary cookies and sweet cacao drinks, the scent of mandarin oranges and cinnamon....
I wouldn't trade those evenings for the world...
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| Hanafusa Geiko and Maiko gather inside their okiya to decorate Christmas tree |
December 13, 2019
December Kitsuke
Dear readers and patrons,
This is last kitsuke post in 2019, next one will be in January 2020. Hanafusa okiya members - Okaasan Kikuyu, Geiko Kikutsuru, Geiko Kikumaru, Maiko Kikune, Maiko Kikushino and Shikomi Junko hope that the Christmas Holidays and New Year celebrations will bring happiness and joy into your house, and that soon we will meet again in the new 2020 - year of the metal rat.
Now, let's return to the December kitsuke post
Geiko Kikutsuru has chosen beautiful kimono of marsala color and shibori bamboo design at the bottom. Bamboo itself is often associated with winter and symbolizes longevity while shibori is a Japanese tie-dying technique: artist uses a variety of techniques in different shapes to make different patterns. It is tied with light beige obi and features small white and silvery designs.
The eri(collar) is white, and is the symbol of pureness, femininity and maturity.
As we look at Kikutsuru san's katsura(wig), we will see small yet beautiful silver mazeashi - this small but very stylish hairpin features pampas grass. Light wooden comb is placed in the middle of the wig and gives the finishing touch to whole ensemble.
In December Kikumaru san will wear light purple kimono with Pine(matsu). This design is associated with New Year and winter itself and symbolizes longevity, steadfastness and wisdom in age. The white and golden obi holds the kimono close and is tied at the back in a Taiko ("drum") knot.
Her juban is light pink and features leaf patterns. Geiko also use red juban but mostly for the formal events where they wear kuromontsuki.
Both Kikutsuru san and Kikumaru san wearing for semiformal events wear wigs styled in Geiko Shimada style also known as Chuu Taka Shimada. This is quite liberating as geiko can sleep on regular pillows as well as wearing western clothes. Maiko can do that too but no when having their hair styled in Ofuku or Wareshinobu.
In December Kikune san will be wearing fabulous green hikizuri with hand-painted matsu or pine tree and snow cloud motifs.
In December all kimonos that maiko san and geiko san wear are linned so to keep the wearer warm during winter coldness.
Her obi is created with golden threads that make a geometrical and flower pattern on lighter background. End of the obi has okiya mon or emblem(as every family in japan, all okiya and yakata in have their own emblems too) which means she comes from this family - Hanafusa okiya.
Her hairstyle is called Ofuku and decorated with seasonal matsu take kanzashi that have 2 blank boards that are signed by kabuki actors during the Kaomise Soken event (you can read more abut event and these kanzashi in this post).
In December you can spot Kikushino san wearing hikizuri of regal, deep purple color - a silk masterpiece kept in Hanafusa okiya warderobe. You can see momiji(maple leaf), ougi (fan) and kiku(chrysanthemum). It is held with light beige obi that has leaf design. Both kimono and obi give us feeling of a cold wind that has blown away everything that reminded us of autumn days.
You might have noticed that less and less red is being shown on the Kikushino san's collar. It has been almost 2 years since her debut so no wonder her kitsuke is getting more and more mature.
The juban Kikushino san is wearing has pine needle pattern.
Tabi, worn 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.
This is last kitsuke post in 2019, next one will be in January 2020. Hanafusa okiya members - Okaasan Kikuyu, Geiko Kikutsuru, Geiko Kikumaru, Maiko Kikune, Maiko Kikushino and Shikomi Junko hope that the Christmas Holidays and New Year celebrations will bring happiness and joy into your house, and that soon we will meet again in the new 2020 - year of the metal rat.
Now, let's return to the December kitsuke post
Geiko Kikutsuru
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| Geiko Kikutsuru |
The eri(collar) is white, and is the symbol of pureness, femininity and maturity.
As we look at Kikutsuru san's katsura(wig), we will see small yet beautiful silver mazeashi - this small but very stylish hairpin features pampas grass. Light wooden comb is placed in the middle of the wig and gives the finishing touch to whole ensemble.
Geiko Kikumaru
 |
| Geiko Kikumaru |
Her juban is light pink and features leaf patterns. Geiko also use red juban but mostly for the formal events where they wear kuromontsuki.
Both Kikutsuru san and Kikumaru san wearing for semiformal events wear wigs styled in Geiko Shimada style also known as Chuu Taka Shimada. This is quite liberating as geiko can sleep on regular pillows as well as wearing western clothes. Maiko can do that too but no when having their hair styled in Ofuku or Wareshinobu.
Maiko Kikune
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| Maiko Kikune |
In December all kimonos that maiko san and geiko san wear are linned so to keep the wearer warm during winter coldness.
Her obi is created with golden threads that make a geometrical and flower pattern on lighter background. End of the obi has okiya mon or emblem(as every family in japan, all okiya and yakata in have their own emblems too) which means she comes from this family - Hanafusa okiya.
Her hairstyle is called Ofuku and decorated with seasonal matsu take kanzashi that have 2 blank boards that are signed by kabuki actors during the Kaomise Soken event (you can read more abut event and these kanzashi in this post).
Maiko Kikushino
 |
| Maiko Kikushino |
You might have noticed that less and less red is being shown on the Kikushino san's collar. It has been almost 2 years since her debut so no wonder her kitsuke is getting more and more mature.
The juban Kikushino san is wearing has pine needle pattern.
Tabi, worn 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.
December 12, 2019
Yuki geta to warm your winter walks
Winter is here!
Are you ready for the snowy days?
Kisetsu store has prepared a winter addition of their wooden geta shoes - please welcome Yuki Geta.
Several types of these traditional wooden sandals are available at the Kisetsu store - you can choose between lacquered (black or red), dark wood (black or red) and light (pink or coral) colored geta. Whatever yuki geta you decide to get, you can be sure that they will warm your long walks during cold winter months.
Scared of falling down on ice? No need as all geta have been equipped with anti-slide sole.
So, what are you waiting for?!
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| Geiko Kikumaru, Maiko Kikune and Maiko Kikushino posing in different types of Yuki geta Photo take at Kyoto Kagai sim |
December 10, 2019
Kabuki play "The faithful wife" at Miyagawacho Kaburen-jo
Several days ago Miyagawacho Kaburen-jo theater held a premiere of Kabuki play "The faithful wife", written and staged by Maiko Kikuhino. This Kabuki play tells us story of 2 merchants, who made a bet that Yoshimitsu will seduce the wife of Ryuji, Yukiko. Yoshimitsu bribes Hoji, servant from Ryuji's household, to receive intimate details about Yukiko's body and her ring. Then, Yoshimitsu lies to Ryuji that he has slept with his wife, therefore he saw birthmark on her thigh and that she had given him her wedding ring as a token of her love. Ryuji rushed into the house questioning Yukiko, and after not being able to find the ring, he decides to get rid of her. He calls Hoji, his servant, tells him to take her into the woods and kill her. Hoji disobeys and leaves Yukiko to die in the winter forest, while bringing his master her blood soaked kimono with deer heart and lungs. Yukiko is saved by a Monk and is taken into the temple. After some time, she decides to leave and accidentaly onher way she saves the son of Lord Shibatsu, Shinji, who was attacked by bandits. She carefully takes care of him, until one day comes Lord Shibatsu himself and Shinji asks his father to thank this young lad (Yukiko disguised herself as a young man) for saving him. It is decided that Yukiko/Uki will now serve at the Lords mansion. When Lord Shibatsu, his son and Yukiko/Uki returned to the castle, they saw Ryuji san on his knees waiting for the Lords punishment for killing his innocent wife. Yukiko throws off her disguise and bows deeply before the Lord Shibatsu asking to show mercy on her husband. After seeing that how faithful the wife was to her husband, Lord Shibatsu lets the two lovers go...
The Kabuki play was a success! After the curtains went down, the audience thanked the talented actors with standing ovations.
The Kabuki play was a success! After the curtains went down, the audience thanked the talented actors with standing ovations.
🎭 Actors:
Geiko Kikumaru - Lord's Shibatsu son Shinji, Narrator
Maiko Kikune - Yoshimitsu(merchant), Komuso monk, Hoji
Maiko Kikushino - Ryuji(merchant), Lord Shibatsu
Shikomi Junko - Wife of Ryuji Yukiko (Uki)
For those who wanted to come but didn't have a chance, Geiko Kikutsuru san took some amazing photos during the play. Please enjoy!
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| "All seemed well until one night Ryuji san bumped into an old acquaintance in the local chaya where they drink sake and dine after work ..." |
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| "Ryuji san drew his sword and raised it poised to strike but was too cowardly to strike the blow himself ..." |
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| "Hoji, now fearful for his life, knowing his master is plotting to kill him, sleeps with one eye open and sees a shadow slide past the half open shoji doors and as the light catches the flash of a sword is struck a glancing blow fleas in terror hearing the swish of the blade strike after strike around his ears fleas screaming into the night...." |
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| "I came as quickly as i could when i heard the news that your party had been attacked and sent out soldiers to comb the surrounding area for those bandits, they wont get far..." |
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| Actors are bowing towards the audience |
December 7, 2019
Kabuki "The Faithful Wife"
Dear Guests and Patrons,
Miyagawacho Kaburenjo proudly presents Kabuki play "The Faithful Wife".
The premiere will take place on Sunday 8th of December at 11 am slt
Sincerely yours, members of Hanafusa okiya
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