May Kitsuke

The odori and sakura season is now officially over and the Karyukai returns to it's normal life. Maiko san and Geiko san start taking their lessons again and also more ozashiki are taking place on the Kyoto Kagai sim as well. Please enjoy reading my post about the May kitsuke of Hanafusa okiya Geikos and Maikos

Geiko Kikutsuru's semiformal outfit  for May features water flows and summer flowers on the light blue background. This kimono can be worn from beginning of May right up until September.

It is tied with exquisite silk obi that goes well with hikizuri. The design on the obi features the iconic summer sight - the lit up paper lanterns of the Gion Matsuri Festival. As all Geiko wear wigs, that resemble a style worn by married women during Edo, the decorations and accessories are also limited - maezashi at the front, a comb and seasonal tama at the back

Geiko Kikumaru's May semiformal attire consists of light blue kimono with golden clouds and colorful botan (peonies) and a golden woven obi that goes perfect with the kimono. Classically, botan is associated with summer (especially early summer) as that is when the flowers bloom naturally but there are some types that bloom in Autumn and even Winer. As all geiko in Kyoto she is wearing a wig styled in Geisha Shimada style. It also needs to be appropriately decorated - Kikumaru san has chosen a elegant wooden comb and a small pink peony maezashi pin. 

In May you can see Maiko Kikune wearing subtle hikizuri, that gradates from light yellow at the top to light purple at the bottom. This piece features chou(butterflies), sakura as well as spring grasses. Obi is made in Hakata style and fits the kimono perfectly. As a Senior Maiko, she is wearing triple hanakanzashi with march seasonal flower appropriate for senior maiko - Ayame (iris).

Maiko Kikushino is wearing white hikizuri with fuji(wisteria) design. This common flower motif symbolizes longevity, peace and harmony therefore you can spot it on the bridal kimono. Wisteria plants are known to have very long lifespans, one of the oldest wisteria trees in Japan is 144 years old! The light purple color of the wisteria goes perfectly with the vibrant fuji kanzashi in her Wareshinobu hairstyle. The obi is black, decorated with red and golden thread, and has geometrical motif on it and holds the kimono close.