Shikomi Ayumi

Minarai Kikusana

 .·´¯`·.·•Watashi no namae wa Kikusana desu•·.·´¯`·.

A native to Kyoto, I was born into a lineage of ningyo doll artisans. Some of my earliest memories were sparked by watching the careful hands of my father create porcelain beauties emblematic of the ancient history of Kyoto. In my childhood I spent many days in our shop, dreaming endlessly and reveling in the mystery of the flower and willow world. 

Always a precocious child, I found myself buried in textbooks, determined to learn everything I could of the kagai. Over time, stolen glances of geiko in soggy streets turned into my own zouri tracing their footsteps. Though I was faced with the hard decision to give up my normal life as a girl, I was compelled to pursue my dream of one day becoming a person of art. 

Though my journey has just begun, I am honored to be given an opportunity to improve myself and serve my okiya well. Through the advisement and direction of my Okaasan and elder sisters, I hope to continually better myself and hone my craft. 

Gion Matsuri in Miyagawacho Hanamachi

Dear guests and patrons, 

Maiko and Geiko of Hanafusa okiya present you - The Gion Matsuri, that will take place on July 16th 11 am slt.

Short history: The Gion Festival or Gion Matsuri is one of the most famous festivals in Japan. This festival originated as part of a purification ritual (goryo-e) to appease the gods thought to cause fire, floods and earthquakes. In 869, the people were suffering from plague and pestilence which was attributed to the rampaging deity Gozu Tennō. Emperor Seiwa ordered that the people pray to the god of the Yasaka Shrine, Susanoo-no-mikoto. Sixty-six stylized and decorated halberds, one for each province in old Japan, were prepared and erected at Shinsen-en, a garden, along with the portable shrines (mikoshi) from Yasaka Shrine.

This practice was repeated wherever an outbreak occurred. In 970, it was decreed an annual event and has since seldom been broken. Over time the increasingly powerful and influential merchant class made the festival more elaborate and, by the Edo period (1603–1868), used the parade to brandish their wealth.

In 1533, the Ashikaga shogunate halted all religious events, but the people protested, stating that they could do without the rituals, but not the procession. This marks the progression into the festival’s current form.

Ozashiki in Hanahusa ochaya(Friday 10th of June)

Konbanwa dear guests and patron of Miyagawacho Hanamachi,
as a celebration of the beginning of Summer  we are hosting a ozashiki in our Hanahusa ochaya this Friday.

Time 12pm - 1.00 pm slt(second life time)
Dress code - visiting clothes

You are welcome to enjoy some nice conversations and entertainment by the Geiko and Maiko of Hanafusa Okiya

Here's your riksha: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Nadine/109/202/28

Ozashiki in Hanahusa ochaya(Friday 3rd, 11.30am-12.30am)

Dear Guests and Patrons of Miyagawacho Hanamachi,

It is with great pleasure to invite you to the first summertime ozashiki of Hanahusa ochaya that will take place on Friday 3rd of June 2016. You'll be offered carefully prepared Kyoto Kaiseki meal, Miyagawacho "flying" sake and delicious green tea. And when you have finished eating your delicious Kaiseki meal, paper lanterns will be lit up and Maiko san of Hanafusa okiya would entertain you with their graceful dances and their skilful play on traditional Japanese music instruments.

Time of arrival: 11.30 am slt
Departure: 12.30 pm slt
dress code: Semiformal

Come and celebrate the breathtaking beginning of Summer with the shamisen music and the sound of silk sleeves.

Here's Your riksha: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Nadine/109/202/28

Dreaming of becoming beautiful maiko?

As the Summer the season of warmth is over us, we are accepting applicants to our okiya. In the hope Summertime may be a good time to begin an apprenticeship filled with luck and good weather

Training process:

Probation
Shikomi
Minarai
Junior maiko ( several stages)
Senior maiko ( several stages)
Geiko ( 1 - year 5)
Geiko ( 5 year +)

If you are interested you may contact:
Atotori Kikutsuru - Miehina resident
Riksha to Miyagawacho Hanamachi sim: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Nadine/109/108/28