October kitsuke

Autumn has fully conquered Kyoto Kagai sim - the trees are now dressed in beautiful brocade of red and orange while grasses have turned into yellowish hay. Thins month Maiko and and Geiko from Hanafusa okiya, together with members of Komayaka okiya, will hold annual autumn dance - Mizuekai as well the grand opening of the Ichirikitei teahouse and of course the weekly events. Kyoto Kagai is bustling with life! Only chrysanthemums, symbols of October, are quietly reigning in gardens and parks 

Geiko Kikutsuru

Geiko Kikutsuru this month has chosen a solid purple semiformal kimono with bamboo and decorative clouds - the pattern is located under the waist line and is a perfect autumn design for a Geiko. 

It is tied with light silver obi, that was woven maple tree branch. 

Obiage and obijime are of red color and look amazing with the kimono and obi.

The juban is light pink and if you look closely you will see white Momiji leaves

Her katsura is decorated with golden maezashi chrysantemum - a symbol of october as well as her okiya. 1st part of every members in Hanafusa okiya starts with "Kiku" which means chrysantemum so October is kind of the month of Hanafusa okiya :)

Geiko Kikumaru

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 grey obi with black geometrical pattern goes well with the kimono and is tied in a taiko musubi knot.

Her hair is decorated with small yellow chrysantemum hairpin, that is flower symbol of October. Chrysantemum flower is one of the few flowers today that is instantly recognized not only as autumn motif in Japan but also an auspicious motif, therefore many bridal wear and furisode have chrysanthemums.

Maiko Kikune

Maiko Kikune is wearing a solid green hikizuri with flowery design. You can clearly see branches with chrysanthemums and ume(plum blossoms). Hanafusa okiya also has a sister kimono of this piece, witch is specially made for Geiko san. 

Maiko san wear juban of a red color whist geiko wear pink, but when 

In her hair she has colorful single Chrysanthemum hanakanzashi, kushi comb and a petite maezashi pin. Ofuku is the hairstyle worn by Senior Maiko and is created once a week by the skilled hairdressed. During this time Maiko sleep on the wooden pillows known as "takamakura". At the back you can notice the change - the Tama hairpin is now featuring Coral ball, not summery Jade.

In her hands she is holding a kago handbag that has kanji with her name embroidered on it.

Maiko Kikushino

Maiko Kikushino is wearing solid pink hikizuri with Chrysanthemum and Bell flower hand painted on the precious silk.

It is tied with obi that has crane motif on it. This piece is considered rather multi seasonal and you can wear it anytime during the year. 

The juban Kikushino san is wearing has waterflow and momiji leaves.

In her hair you can see colorful single chrysanthemum hanakanzashi, flowerbridge and a petit chrysanthemum maezashi pin. As she is now senior maiko, 

On her feet she has high okobo with pink stripes, which symbolize her now senior 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.

Minarai Kikuyae

In December you can spot Kikuyae 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 the autumn scenery.

Seasonal kanzashi for the youngest member  are always most eye-catching as they feature dangling elements and many smaller flowers

* Minarai(literary "watch and learn", "learn by watching") is a short stage before debut as maiko. Young Minarai visits ozashiki with her older sister and observes the work of her oneesan. In miyagawacho, after 2 weeks from the minaraia maiko starts wearing hikizuri, kanzashi and obi of jr maiko