Summer picnic in the gardens of Kyoto Kagai sim

End of June - August has always been the hottest part of summer. Even koi fish want to hide deeper, where cooler waters are.
In Kyoto Kagai, there is a perfect summer spot where you can hide and enjoy and relax some. It is located in the Kytot Kagai sim's gardens. The blanket with several zabutons is placed in the shade of big trees as well as near the small river to help our guests forget about the hot sun and crowded streets.
This time, Maiko Kikune held a picnic, first time this year. She was accompanied by other maiko san from her okiya. By serving refreshments, summery foods and tasty snacks as well as by entertaining with smart conversations, Maiko from Hanafusa okiya bring the refreshing change, not only into the bodies but also into the hearts and souls of visitors...
Next time we meet, will be very special event - misedashi(debut) of a new maiko! So do not be shy, and visit us anytime you like. Our sim and hearts are open for everyone :)

Picnic in the gardens of Kyoto Kagai sim

Dear friends and patrons,
This Saturday Kyoto Kagai will hold a picnic. For those who is tired by summer heat and dull routine, we offer a cooling shelter under the shade of garden trees accompanied by delicious summer treats and refreshing drinks. As a highlight of the evening, you will be entertained by Maiko san of Hanafusa okiya alongside with soon maiko-to-be minarai Kikuteru.
Date: Saturday 29th
Time: 12 pm slt
Taxi: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Midnight%20Sun/42/155/26
This event is not formal so please feel free to wear your casual clothes or yukata

Konchiki Ondo on Yasaka Jinja

Dear reader of Hanafusa okiya blog,

As in rl Kyoto Kagai, our sim as well as it's maiko and geiko members, take part in Gion Matsuri celebrations. After the Hanagasa Junko parade, Maiko san from Miyagawacho performed Konchiki ondo. The name of the dance comes from distinctive Konchiki chain of Gion Bayashi folk music. They wore special white thin kimono with hakata obi (obi sash with hakata-ori textile) which was pink against a white background in Ushiromi musubi (a way of knotting the obi sash) style. In their hands they hold an uchiwa fan with crests of festival and the Yasaka shrine.
After the dance, guests were able to make memorable photos with Maiko san from Hanafusa okiya.

This years performers :

❀ Maiko Kikutsuru
❀ Maiko Kikumaru
❀ Maiko Kikune
❀ Maiko Kikuyae
❀ Minarai Kikuteru (soon to debut as maiko)

Konchiki ondo at Yasaka Jinja(Sunday 23rd of July)

To mark the end of Gion Matsuri celebrations, Maiko san from Miyagawacho Hanamachi will perform special dance called Konchiki ondo at the Yasaka Jinja pavilion. We welcome You and we also welcome your friends and family to join us on this special day in Kyoto Kagai sim.

Date: Sunday 23rd of July
Time: 11.30 am slt

After the performance photos with Maiko san can be taken :)

Taxi: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Midnight%20Sun/193/138/27

Have you ever dreamed of becoming a maiko?

Have you ever dreamed wearing elaborate kimonos and learning new about Japanese culture? Have you ever dreamed of walking the Kyoto streets in high wooden okobo?
If yes, than Hanafusa okiya is for you:)
You are provided with a near real life course or training in Japanese History and culture. You will learn how to be a Geiko ( term for Geisha in Kyoto)
At the moment we have open space for 4 Shikomi.
Ready to give it a try? Contact  Maiko Kikutsuru of Hanafusa (Miehina resident) if you are interested in starting your journey in a close family such as Hanafusa, that focus on realism and quality.
Taxi: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Midnight%20Sun/144/105/25

(Saturday 15th of July) Ozashiki at Gion Higachi Ochaya

Konnichiwa dear guests and patron of Kyoto Kagai sim,
as a celebration of Midsummer we are hosting a ozashiki in Gion Higashi ochaya this Saturday. This ochaya is located in Gion Higashi district of Kyoto Kagai sim, with a veranda upon the water channel As well as the beautiful view, you will feel the refreshing breeze scented with waterlily scent coming from the channel - best relaxation during hot summer days.
Time: 12pm - 1.00 pm slt(second life time)
Dress code: visiting clothes
Taxi: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Midnight%20Sun/153/179/25
You are welcome to enjoy some nice conversations and entertainment by the Geiko and Maiko of Hanafusa Okiya

Kyo mai & Q&A with Maiko

Maiko Kikuyae(dark blue), Maiko Kikumaru (light blue with willow),

Maiko Kikutsuru(pink), Maiko Kikune(blue), Minarai Kikuteru(yellow)

 Yesterday, Kyoto Museum of Art and Culture held an event for patrons as well as those interested in Japanese culture. Young as well as veteran Maiko from Hanafusa okiya performed kyo mai dance and self written story. After guests we able to ask questions.
The main idea of this event is to spread the knowledge about Japanese traditional and modern culture as well as Kyoto's geiko tradition. Guests can also ask questions regarding hairstyles, types of kimono used in the performance, difference between rankings etc.This is good event for those interested in applying as a trainee as you can ask senior members of the okiya the questions that interest you.

In case you have not been able to come this time, do not worry! These events are usually held once or even twice a month. In case you whant to be informed about any kind of events held in Kyoto Kagai sim, Please contact Maiko Kikumaru(belliebeth) so that to be added into the group in-world as well as follow our blogs on Google plus and Blogspot. Don't forget about the thumbs up :)

Evening ozashiki at Oume

Ozashiki

Another ozashiki took place in Kyoto Kagai. This evening Maiko Kikutsuru was a musician and created a relaxing and enjoyable atmosphere with her skillful play on the koto. After the guests have settled, Maiko Kikuyae brought the tray with Kyoto Kaiseki dishes while Kikuteru san brought sake and expensive wines. It is important to for Minarai Kikuteru to watch and learn how every inch of work is done as she is quite soon to debut as

Maiko Kiktsuru playing the koto

Maiko. 

As well as enjoying their meal and good music, guests were delighted to speak with intelligent young Maiko. Starting clever conversations and keeping it alive is one of the hardest assets in Maiko and Geiko work as it requires knowledge in different aspects - traditional and modern art, Japanese culture, literature(Japanese as well as other), important events, politics, philosophy etc. I do not count the knowledge of Karyukai traditions as it is simply a must. As well as smart, ozahsiki conversations are to be relaxing rather then debates. Hard job, ne? :) Nevertheless, starting from early stages, maiko in Hanafusa okiya learn how to create an ideal conversation using all her knowledge and sense of humor to provide quality entertainment in Second life realm. 

After last ozashiki, the proprietress of the Oume received many requests from the visitors of her Wine Bar asking for more day and evening ozashiki. She has contacted Okaasan Kikuyu of Hanafusa okiya so to plan the ozashiki with maiko san of Hanafusa okiya, and it was decided that there will be 1 or 2 weekly, depending on the month. 

(Sunday 9th of July ) Kyo mai & Q&A with Maiko

Maiko from Hanafusa okiya during the annual Kyo Odori
performance. 

Have you dreamed of ever becoming a maiko? or enjoying the beautiful dance and culture?
we welcome you to a relaxing hour with us in our Museum of art and culture. The maiko of Hanafusa will perform for you and after you may ask them questions about their career and choice to become a maiko, geiko apprentice.

❀ When? Sunday 9th 10.20 am slt
❀ 1hour duration
❀ Dress code - informal ( but not shorts or tank tops full clothing)
❀Taxi: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Midnight%20Sun/212/174/25

Ozashiki Memories

Ozashiki

As well as Kyoto Kagai sim, Hanahusa ochaya never closes its gates. Now is quite a busy season, with lots of ozashiki and open air picnics. Ochaya staff needs to plan every event with precise care: how should the tokonoma in the ozashiki room be decorated, what scroll to use, what courses should be served(if ozashiki in ochaya it will definitely be Kyoto Kaiseki with seasonal delicacies and if picnic that it can be less formal type of food), what types of refreshments are to be bought, what type of sake bottle to use as well as what sake cups, which maiko and geiko to invite for the banquet.

Maiko Kikune during her dance

This Saturday was no different as Hanahusa ochaya held ozashiki for the guests and patrons of Kyoto Kagai sim. Maiko Kikutsuru has entertained guests with shamisen music while Maiko Kikumaru, Maiko Kikune and Minarai Kikuteru served guests with refreshing mugicha(barley tea) and Miyagawacho "flying" sake. In case our guests felt too hot, they had an option of choosing an uchiwa(summer fan). When the meals were eaten, Maiko Kikune performed her first dance performance as Ichinmae maiko (Ichiname is stage of maiko when she passes 1 year after the debut). From now on, my dear readers, we will see much more of Kikune san as performer as well as musician.