Obon in Miyagawacho Hanamachi

What can be better than an event where you can play games, win different prizes, eat delicious fatty and sweet stall foods, dance an ancient dance and when night comes gather with friends and tell scary stories?! Yes, its August and time for Obon celebrations in Miygawacho Hanamachi. 

This year celebrations were enormous! Sooo many things to try, so many games to play and soo many stories to hear from Maiko Kikutsuru. 

Here are some amazing photos :)

 Telling scary stories is part of Obon...

 Every guest could make a wish and put a small lantern flow into the Kamo river. I hope everything they wished for will soon come true!

Here we can see Bon Odori. The way in which the dance is performed is also different in each region, though the typical Bon dance involves people lining up in a circle around a high wooden scaffold made especially for the festival called a yagura. The yagura is usually also the bandstand for the musicians and singers of the Obon music. Some dances proceed clockwise, and some dances proceed counter-clockwise around the yagura...

Yukata Kai 2016 in Miyagawacho Hanamachi

Today I'd like to tell you about the event that took place not so long ago - The Yukata Kai 2016. This year it was very special. Special for he two young sikomi chans, Yumi and Ayumi, as this was their first odori (dance) event. They had to practice new dances for quite a long time and prepare their first poem. Sepcial for the young maiko Kikune, as this was her first odori after her Misedashi ( her debut that was held in July). This was very special for the most senior maiko's of Hanafusa, Kikutsuru and Kikumaru. Special for Geiko Kikuyu, the okaasan of Hanafusa okiya, as she is the main creator of events and odori's in Miyagawacho Hanamachi. But there is another reason, equally important to everybody that is in any way connected with Miyagawacho... THIS WAS THE LAST ODORI ON NADINE SIM. Yes, this is true. Miyagawacho Hanamachi is not only moving to a new sim, but also transforming into a bigger and even more beautiful Kyoto Kagai, created from scratch by talented Maiko Kikutsuru. It will soon open its gates for everyone during the Grand Opening.

As for now on, lets have a small glimpse on the photos from the Yukata kai. We hope you liked it as much as we did :)

Performers: Geiko Kikuyu, Sr Maiko Kikutsuru, Sr Maiko Kikumaru, Jr Maiko Kikuno, Shikomi Yumi, Shikomi Ayumi

Application Hanafusa Okiya only open 1 more week

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 - Summer
Shikomi - Autumn - Winter
Minarai - Winter - Spring
Junior maiko ( several stages) Year 1 - 2.5
Senior maiko ( several stages) Year 2 - 5
Geiko ( 1 - year 5)
Geiko ( 5 year +)

If you are interested you may contact:
Atotori Kikutsuru

YukataKai in Miyagawacho Hanamachi

On Saturday 13th(august) the Geiko, Maiko and shikomi of Hanafusa okiya perform in the Summer odori - Yukata Kai
You are welcome to come enjoy this 4 act performance.

Time of arrival: 10.55 am slt
Time odori begin: 11 am slt
Time odori ends: 12 pm slt

Pictures after are to be taken in the room between exit and theater audience room.
Maiko + Shikomi will attend photo shoot.
During performance you may take pictures as long as they do not interfere the performance.

August Kitsuke

Geiko Kikuyu

For this month okaasan Kikuyu chose black susohiki with beautifully handpainted scenery. It is accompanied by golden obi with small flowery pattern.
Her Taka Shimada(style of the wig) is decorated with small but very elegant seasonal kanzashi.
In her hand she's holding pink kago that goes really good with whole ensemble.

Senior Maiko Kikutsuru

For august Kikutsuru san chose white hikizuri with susuki(pampass grass) pattern. This hikizuri is made in such colors that one look on this masterpiece is enough to cool yourself down in summer heat. 

Her her is decorated with one flower of Asagao or morning glory.

Senior Maiko Kikumaru

Kikumaru san is wearing pale blue hikizuri with multi seasonal pattern which goes really good with green obi. Like her oneesan Maiko Kikutsuru, her hair is decorated with Asagao(Morning glory) kanzashi, but with triple as maiko Kikumaru is "younger" senior maiko than Kikutsuru san.

Junior Maiko Kikune

Little Kikune san is wearing twin hikizuri of the one worn by Maiko Kikutsuru, her oneesan. Her wareshinobu is decorated with silver susuki(pampass grass). It is tradition that Junior maiko wear this type of kanzashi, while senior maiko can choose between asagao kzasnhi or the susuki ones(it also depends on the hanamachi)

Application - End of Summer - Hanafusa Okiya

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 - Summer
Shikomi - Autumn - Winter
Minarai - Winter - Spring
Junior maiko ( several stages) Year 1 - 2.5
Senior maiko ( several stages) Year 2 - 5
Geiko ( 1 - year 5)
Geiko ( 5 year +)

If you are interested you may contact:
Atotori Kikutsuru - Miehina resident