January Kitsuke

After Shigyoshiki and Hatsuyori celebrations took place in the Karyukai, it is time to get back to semi-formal hikizuri and hairstyles. All antique hairpins, expensive obi and luxurious kuromontsuki  are hidden as okiya's precious belongings till special event occurs. Now let's have a look at the kitsuke worn in January by members of Hanafusa okiya

Geiko Kikumaru(blue), Maiko Kikune(shibori black), Maiko Kikushino(shibori red and black) and Geiko Kikutsuru(green)

Geiko Kikutsuru, during January events at Kyoto Kagai sim and outside, will wear solid green semiformal kimono with colorful chrysanthemums, plums,fans and also peonies. Gorgeous piece! Chrysanthemum or Kiku (in Japan) is considered an auspicious flower as well as is the part of names of all Hanafusa okiya members so no wonder that a lot of this flower design is going to be seen on the outfits of Kyoto Kagai members. Why auspicious? Well, this flower is considered auspicious as these flowers bloom when no other flowers do as well as plums. The obi is golden and hold the kimono close. The juban features red plum blossoms and remind us that soon the winter will be over.
Geiko Kikumaru decided on wearing eye-catching semiformal kimono with chrysanthemums and waves on the blue background. The pattern is located under the waist line and is a perfect winter design for a Geiko. It is tied with colorful stripe obi, that was bamboo. Both Kimono and Obi belog to Kikumaur san and were part of the wardrobe ordered for her erikae. Obiage and obijime are of red color and go well with the ume(plum) blossoms on the juban.
On her feet she has Yuki geta with a special cover that is used for winter walks especially duing snowfall. Both covered and uncovered geta can be used during winter, that's why you can see both variants worn by 2 geiko san from Hanafusa okiya.
In the first month of 2020, Maiko Kikune san is wearing black hikizuri made in a shibori style. Most kimonoes created in this style are extremely expensive as it takes months to complete one piece (shibori is a Japanese tie-dying technique, using a variety of techniques in different shapes to make different patterns. Shibori technique dates from the 8th century. Amazing!). The kimono is tied with a green obi, that has golden geometrical design. The green on the obi goes beautifully with the green of the undergarment as well as green hanakanzashi. The Seasonal kanzashi for seniors most often feature pine, bamboo and plums in more subtle, pinkish and beige colors than worn by Juniors.
For January Maiko Kikushino san is wearing black and red hikizuri, made in shibori style (same style as her neesan Kikune). The darari obi has green and gold woven pattern representing bamboo. It goes really nice with the hikizuri! Her eri is also different from her sisters' - some white elements embroidered on the red background symbolizes that she's still a "baby" and a junior Maiko.
As for the hairstyle, it is called Wareshinobu and is decorated with special seasonal kanzashi - Sho Chiku Bai (pine, bamboo and plum).
Kago is red, with Maiko Kikushino's name sewn on it. This special kago was given as a present on the day of her Misedashi.
As Junior Maiko, Maiko Kikune is wearing high okobo but with red stripes