3rd Annual Kyo Odori

Kyo odori is annual dance event in Miyagawacho Hanamachi. Every year, in end of April, Maiko and Geiko welcome Spring with their beautiful dances and poems at Miyagawa-chō Kaburen-jō Theatre. This year 3rd Annual Kyo odori took place on April 26th(10.50 am slt).

The dance style features beautiful movements and expressions. The routine is choreographed, almost like a ballet, and is performed very slowly which means any tiny mistake will be obvious. Maiko and Geiko are expected to perform it perfectly every time. There may be 5 or 6 distinct acts with changes of scenery, dress and props and for the final section all of the performers return to the stage and dance traditional Miyagawacho ondo dance.

Participants: Geiko Kikuyu, Maiko Kikutsuru, Maiko Kikumaru, Maiko Kikuno, Yumi-san(tallanted actress and dancer)

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Tea Ceremony: 

Special Odori tea ceremony is in the ryurei style with guests seated on stools and not tatami mats. As you are seated, you see geiko performing a tea ceremony before Kyo odori. She sits in the middle of the room making tea according to strict tradition with the help of a young maiko. Specially for this ceremony geiko wears her her hair in Kyofuu Shimada haurstyle. She does this quietly lthough all her movements are gracefull. During this, guests are served Usucha green tea and a sweet bean mochi. The mochi is usually served on a small Japanese ceramic plate that has soring motifs. 

1st Act "Yokusu ho Haru" 

Maiko of Hanafusa okiya, dressed in colorful seasonal hikizuri, welcome the Spring. For this act Sr Maiko Kikutsuru composed a beautiful poem

2nd Act "Miyagawacho no Haru"

Maiko of Hanafusa okiya, dressed in their formal kuromotsuki(formal black hikizuri with 5 okiya crests, worn on special ocasions) dance with kagura(bells), gently welcoming the kami of Miyagawacho. Poem for this dance was created by Jr Maiko Kikumaru

3rd Act "Sakura no Maiko San"

Maiko Kikumaru, Maiko kikutsuru and Yumi-san, dressed as young maidens, dance with sakura branches in their hands.  The story is told by Kikutsuru-san and is legendary in Tokyo: it is about the great fire that once destroyed almost whole Edo, about love and fury of a young maiden, and a long sleeve kimono...

4th Act "Tamiko no Hime"

Maiko, dressed as ancient japanese dancers, dance on a beutifully decorated stage. The story,created by Maiko Kikumaru, tells a story about young princess Tamiko and losses in her life...

5th Act "Miyagawa Ondo"

Ending of Kyo odori that hasnt changed ever since 1st Kyo Odori. Maiko of Hanafusa okiya in april kitsuke dance traditional dance called Miyagawa ondo.