Komayaka and Hanafusa okiya performing at Hakkasai

Dear readers,

Today, Maiko and Geiko from Kyoto Kagai Sim had the opportunity to perform at the Hakkasai event. It was a meaningful moment for us to share dances inspired by Kyoto’s kagai culture with so many kind and attentive guests.

We are deeply thankful to the organizers and to everyone who joined us and supported the performance. This experience will stay with us for a long time, and we sincerely appreciate the warm atmosphere you created.

Thank you for sharing this special moment with us.

Hakkasai event!

 Dear Guests and Patrons,

It is our great pleasure to announce that Maiko san and Geiko san from Kyoto Kagai Sim will perform at the Hakkasai event.

This special performance offers a rare opportunity to experience the refined beauty, grace, and atmosphere of Kyoto’s Geisha culture.

Through traditional dance and music, guests will be able to glimpse the artistry and traditions that have been carefully preserved for generations.

We warmly invite you to join us for this meaningful occasion and to enjoy an evening filled with elegance and cultural richness.

Date: January 24th, 2026

Time: 3 AM SLT

LM: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Spica/100/195/3508

We sincerely look forward to welcoming you to the Hakkasai event

Goshuin and Ema plates for 2026

Konnichiwa Minnasan, I hope that you are having a lovely day.

We now offer you Ema plates and Goshuin stamps to collect for the year of 2026 at Yasaka jinja and  Kitano Tenmangu Jinja in Kyoto Kagai. the stamps are free, while the price for the ema plates goes towards supporting our region.

Each comes with a theme for 2026  the year of the horse. may it be a blessed year for you and your loved ones.

LM: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Kyoto/152/204/31

Shigyoshiki 2026

Yesterday, the Miyagawacho Kaburenjo Theater at Kyoto Kagai Sim in Second Life hosted a very special and meaningful ceremony: Shigyōshiki, the traditional New Year opening ceremony of the kagai.

Shigyōshiki is a long-standing tradition in real-life Kyoto’s hanamachi, marking the formal beginning of the new working year for geiko and maiko. This important cultural ceremony is also carefully observed at Kyoto Kagai Sim in Second Life, where the community continues to honor and preserve these traditions within a virtual setting.

During the ceremony, maiko-san and geiko-san of Kyoto Kagai Sim formally presented their New Year vows, renewing their commitment to their art, their okiya, and the kagai as a whole. These vows were respectfully offered to their seniors, juniors, and honored guests, reflecting the values of respect, gratitude, and responsibility that are central to life in the hanamachi.

The atmosphere of the ceremony was both dignified and celebratory. The graceful presence of the maiko and the refined elegance of the geiko echoed the spirit of Shigyōshiki as it is practiced in real life, showing how traditional culture can be meaningfully carried into Second Life.

Following the vow ceremony, awards were presented to outstanding maiko san and geiko san in recognition of their dedication, achievements, and hard work throughout the past year. These honors serve as encouragement and inspiration, especially for younger members of the kagai.

Many guests and patrons attended the event, filling the theater with warmth and support. Their presence highlighted the strong community surrounding Kyoto Kagai Sim and the shared appreciation for maintaining authentic Japanese cultural traditions across both real and virtual worlds.

Shigyōshiki at Kyoto Kagai Sim was a beautiful way to welcome the new year—bridging real-life tradition and Second Life creativity while reaffirming commitment, community, and cultural respect

Maiko san and Geiko san posing with this years awards
Image courtesy by Okaasan Geiko Toshiha san (https://www.primfeed.com/toshiha.magic)

Shigyoshiki Opening Ceremony

 Dear Friends and Honored Patrons,

It is with great respect and heartfelt joy that we invite you to join us—the geiko and maiko of Kyoto Sim’s Miyagawacho Hanamachi—for our annual Shigyoshiki ceremony.

Shigyoshiki is a traditional vows and awards ceremony that honors the dedication, growth, and hard work of each member of our hanamachi over the past year. This meaningful occasion also marks the formal opening of the New Year for the Flower and Willow world, symbolizing renewal, commitment, and the continuation of our shared cultural path. ㊗️

Your presence would truly grace this celebration, and it would be our honor to welcome you as we begin the year together in the spirit of tradition and community. 🎍

Date&Time: January 10th (Saturday), 10 am slt

Your Taxi: 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Kyoto/189/202/31

We sincerely hope you will be able to attend and share in this special moment with us.

With deepest respect,

Geiko and Maiko from Kyoto Kagai sim

Visiting a shrine at 天晴 APPARE!

 The New Year in Japan begins with Hatsumode (初詣), the first shrine visit of the year—a meaningful tradition centered on reflection, gratitude, and welcoming good fortune. This cherished custom was beautifully brought to life in Second Life during 天晴 APPARE!, a special event dedicated to celebrating the charm, artistry, and traditions of Japanese culture.

As part of the event, Geiko Kikumaru-san and Maiko Kikuno-san from Hanafusa Okiya made a graceful Hatsumode visit to the shrine at Appare. Dressed in elegant kimono, their presence captured the timeless beauty and refinement of geiko and maiko traditions, creating a moment of quiet beauty and cultural depth within the virtual space.

Visitors gathered to share in the serene atmosphere, offering prayers for health, happiness, and success in the year ahead. The shrine setting at Appare was thoughtfully designed to reflect the spirit of a traditional New Year shrine visit, allowing residents from around the world to experience Hatsumode together in Second Life.

Beyond cultural immersion, 天晴 APPARE! also features a vibrant marketplace. Guests can purchase exclusive items created especially for Appare by talented Second Life designers, including traditional-inspired fashion, accessories, and décor. These limited-edition items are only available during the event, making them unique keepsakes and a wonderful way to support the creative community.

天晴 APPARE! is more than an event—it is a celebration of tradition, creativity, and connection. Through experiences like this Hatsumode visit, Second Life becomes a place where Japanese culture is honored, shared, and reimagined for a global audience.

As the New Year begins, may the spirit of Hatsumode bring renewed hope, good fortune, and many beautiful moments—both in Second Life and beyond. 🌸

🌸 Photos by Maiko Kikuno 🌸 

Happy New Year from Hanafusa okiya!

As we begin 2026, the Year of the Horse, we want to take a moment to thank everyone for your support over the past year. Your encouragement and appreciation for Kyoto’s traditions and the world of the Kagai mean so much to us.

Because of your support, we can continue sharing the beauty, artistry, and culture we love. From the quiet grace of everyday traditions to the elegance of geiko and maiko, your presence makes these experiences even more meaningful.

The Year of the Horse is said to bring energy, strength, and forward momentum. We hope 2026 brings you happiness, health, and many joyful moments, and that it inspires new beginnings and discoveries along the way.

Thank you for being part of our journey and for sharing in the moments we create together. We look forward to another wonderful year with you.

With gratitude,

The Members of Hanafusa Okiya