Obake in Hanahusa ochaya

Obake Ozashiki in Hanahusa ohaya

“Obake” is like Japanese Halloween. This custom is now confined mainly to the hanamachi (geisha districts), where maiko but most often geiko go from tea house to tea house and perform a skit while dressed in outrageous costumes (not only as historical figures but even as disney princesses!). One of the rules of Obake is that things are topsy-turvey - old dress as young, men dress and women and vice-versa.
This years obake ozashiki in Hanahusa ochaya gave guests a special opportunity to witness Oiran (represented by Maiko Kikutsuru) and her apprentice (represented by Maiko Kikumaru). Maiko Kikune and shikomi Kaori served guests with drinks and kaiseki cuisine - all to celebrate the first plum blossom of the year.
At the end of the ozashiki Maiko Kikutsuru played a kouta song and Maiko Kikumaru performed a dance "The words are so frightful..." and wished guests lucky and prosperity in the new 2018 year!