Every month Okaasan Kikuyu chooses a perfect semi formal ensemble for each of her maiko daughters. She has to look carefully on the designs, styles, patterns as well as the personality of those who are to wear it, so to create an appropriate seasonal look.
Okaasan Geiko Kikuyu
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| Okaasan Geiko Kikuyu |
For June, Okaasan Kikuyu has chosen a deep navy blue kimono with pattern, located on the hem and features geometrical motif. Perfect piece for a hot summer month!
Near the hem we can see the pink juban with red flowers. This type of juban is only used by geiko.
The obi sash is golden with woven scenery pattern. It is tied in a style called "taiko musubi obi" as it's look reminds us of the taiko drum.
Her hair is decorated with a wooden kushi, usually used for summer months and a seasonal maezashi hairpin. As you can recall from my previous posts, geiko san wear wigs, called Katsura styled in shimada style, while maiko san wear hairstyles (wareshinobu, ofuku etc.) made from their own hair. This "wig liberation" for Geiko took place not so long ago, in 1950 - 1960. Before that time, Geiko san had to make their hairstyles using their own hair (as nowadays maiko do).
Kikutsuru san is wearing light blue hikizuri with hand-painted motifs of water flow and peony flowers. As you can see, the styles of kimono worn by Geiko Kikuyu and Maiko Kikutsuru are quite significant: in the style of a Geiko kimono, the shoulder nor sleeve area have tucks; the sleeves are also shorter (as in tomesode, symbolizing maturity), they reach to about the hips or upper thighs of the Geiko. On the other side, Maiko hikizuri have tucks on the shoulders, as well as tucks in the sleeves (this shows that the girl needs still to "grow" into the kimono), not to mention that the sleeves are also very long, reaching nearly to the ankle of the maiko.
Her juban is red and features weeping willow.
The obi has beige background with bright flowers, leafs and geometrical figures.
Her hairdo is called Ofuku and is decorated with seasonal ajisai kanzashi. This month has two flowery symbols - willow tree as well as ajisai (hydrangea flowers) and maiko senior maiko can choose whichever they like more.
For the second senior maiko of Hanafusa okiya, okaasan Kikuyu has prepared delicate pink hikizuri with summertime flowers and green obi with ajisai (hydrangea) leafs to fit. The darari obi is longer than the one worn by Geiko Kikuyu; it is also tied in a special knot, worn only by maiko san. End of the obi has okiya mon or emblem(as every family in japan, all okiya and yakata in have their own emblems too) which means she comes from this family - Hanafusa okiya.
On the top of the obi you can see red obiage which is tucked into. Juniors simply tie obiage upon, hiding the top of the obi.
As well as her oneesan's (older sister, mentor) her hairstyle is called ofuku yet her kanzashi are different - Kikumaru san decided to wear willow kanzashi that fit the color of the obi. Willow is usually worn by junior maiko, but some shops make designs that can be worn by senior maiko as well, even "longer" ones. Yes, seniors can wear longer versions of hanakanzashi during May (wisteria kanzashi) and June (willow kanzashi). They are almost as long as the ones worn by junior maiko, yet these are specifically created for seniors.
Maiko Kikune has been been a maiko for about 2 years (her debut took place on July 15th 2016) and this means she is not far from becoming senior. In Miyagawacho, Maiko who are soon to become senior, are allowed to wear more elaborate and "mature" hikizuri several months prior actually becoming senior. This is what we see now - Kikune san is wearing subtle purple hikizuri with colorful chrysanthemum design. No designs at the chest area, meaning this hikizuri is worn by senior maiko members. It is tied with log Darari obi, that has golden pattern on the deep green background.
Her juban has small flowers and petals..
As she is still Junior Maiko (hairtyle will be changed on the day of her mizuage), her hairdo is the same as it was before, it is called Wareshinobu. While senior Maiko can choose between willow and hydrangea kanzashi, Junior maiko do not have this choice.
For the youngest maiko of Hanafusa okiya, Maiko Kikushino, okaasan Kikuyu has chosen light blue hikizuri with pink and red peony design. The juban is similar to her senior sisters, featuring willow and flowers on the red silk.
Obi worn by Kikushino san has an orange background with golden thread embroidery. It holds the kimono tightly and fits the golden clouds on the hikizuri perfectly.
Her hair is styled in the traditional junior maiko hairdo known as Wareshinobu 9same as Kikune san). If we look at the kanzashi are willow styled ones and are similar to Kikune neesan but with dangling part attached to the hanakanzashi.
Her make up has more red and pink as she is still young in the profession. Also, as she is still 1st year maiko, she paints only her lower lip which means she is still a "baby".
Near the hem we can see the pink juban with red flowers. This type of juban is only used by geiko.
The obi sash is golden with woven scenery pattern. It is tied in a style called "taiko musubi obi" as it's look reminds us of the taiko drum.
Her hair is decorated with a wooden kushi, usually used for summer months and a seasonal maezashi hairpin. As you can recall from my previous posts, geiko san wear wigs, called Katsura styled in shimada style, while maiko san wear hairstyles (wareshinobu, ofuku etc.) made from their own hair. This "wig liberation" for Geiko took place not so long ago, in 1950 - 1960. Before that time, Geiko san had to make their hairstyles using their own hair (as nowadays maiko do).
Maiko Kikutsuru
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| Maiko Kikutsuru of Hanafusa okiya |
Her juban is red and features weeping willow.
The obi has beige background with bright flowers, leafs and geometrical figures.
Her hairdo is called Ofuku and is decorated with seasonal ajisai kanzashi. This month has two flowery symbols - willow tree as well as ajisai (hydrangea flowers) and maiko senior maiko can choose whichever they like more.
Maiko Kikumaru
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| Maiko Kikumaru of Hanafusa okiya |
On the top of the obi you can see red obiage which is tucked into. Juniors simply tie obiage upon, hiding the top of the obi.
As well as her oneesan's (older sister, mentor) her hairstyle is called ofuku yet her kanzashi are different - Kikumaru san decided to wear willow kanzashi that fit the color of the obi. Willow is usually worn by junior maiko, but some shops make designs that can be worn by senior maiko as well, even "longer" ones. Yes, seniors can wear longer versions of hanakanzashi during May (wisteria kanzashi) and June (willow kanzashi). They are almost as long as the ones worn by junior maiko, yet these are specifically created for seniors.
Maiko Kikune
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| Maiko Kikune of Hanafusa okiya |
Her juban has small flowers and petals..
As she is still Junior Maiko (hairtyle will be changed on the day of her mizuage), her hairdo is the same as it was before, it is called Wareshinobu. While senior Maiko can choose between willow and hydrangea kanzashi, Junior maiko do not have this choice.
Maiko Kikushino
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| Maiko Kikushino of Hanafusa okiya |
Obi worn by Kikushino san has an orange background with golden thread embroidery. It holds the kimono tightly and fits the golden clouds on the hikizuri perfectly.
Her hair is styled in the traditional junior maiko hairdo known as Wareshinobu 9same as Kikune san). If we look at the kanzashi are willow styled ones and are similar to Kikune neesan but with dangling part attached to the hanakanzashi.
Her make up has more red and pink as she is still young in the profession. Also, as she is still 1st year maiko, she paints only her lower lip which means she is still a "baby".
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