This month is very special for Hanafusa okiya, for Kyoto Kagai and for Second life Karyukai in total. In past years we have seen many young women debut as maiko but there has been no erikae for almost 6 years in Second Life! That is why, the erikae of Maiko Kikutsuru, heiress of Hanafusa okiya, is causing so much attention. She has debuted way back in November 2012 and now the time has come for her to "turn the collar". In the beginning of the month she has been spotted wearing Sakou, which makes September her last month as maiko...
Geiko Kikuyu
Okaasan Kikuyu has chosen solid purple trailing kimono for this month. Purple, especially dark one, is considered noble color and fits Kikuyu san incredibly. The obi is woven, with leafs and plants on the orange background. This month is full of celebrations at Kyoto Kagai and no wonder okaasan has decided on the outfit that would show the wealth and prosperity of the okiya.
The whole ensemble reminds us that autumn is not far away and it is time to prepare.
Her wig is decorated with red wooden comb, exquisite maezashi pit that features the crest of hanafusa okiya, and a jade Tama pin at the back of her hair.
Last but not least, on her feet she is wearing wooden senryou geta. and in her hands she is wearing pink kago basket, with her name embroidered on it.
Maiko Kikutsuru
On September 1st Kikutsuru san has stepped into her last month as a maiko. For this special period, also known as Sakkou period (last hairstyle worn by maiko during this period is known as Sakkou) Maiko wear formal kuromontsuki, often ordered specifically for this event, have their hair done in a special Sakkou hairstyle and than decorated with valuable bekkou kanzashi. We welcome our patrons and guests from all around the SL to admire the beauty of our treasured Maiko Kikutsuru during the monthly events and possibly even during casual visits to our sim!
For this once in a lifetime occasion Kikutsuru san has ordered almost a whole new wardrobe and accessorizes to match. The Kuromontsuki she is wearing now was custom made and there is no hikizuri piece like that in whole SL. It features the waves at sea, seagulls, cranes, cliffs with pine trees design on high-class silk.
The obi is also part of the custom made items and features Tsuru (cranes). Not only this cranes a re considered a good luck motif but also Kikutsuru san's name means "Chrysanthemum crane".
The type of collar, worn by Kikutsuru san, is unique and is only worn during sakkou period - it has gold embroidery on solid red background.
Now her hair is something to marvel as well. Worn only for a short period, Sakkou has become hairstyle most of the maiko dream to wear one day. It definitely catches the eye - the hair is piled up and twisted into loops, with one "tail" of hair hanging over the back, cut at the end. Before it was adopted by the Karyukai, this hairstyle was worn by married women of the merchant class in the late Edo era. Back in those days, the cutting of a lock of hair would have been performed by the husband, an a sign of the woman’s devotion to her husband and his family.
The cutting of the hair is still performed, but now by the Okaasan of the okiya and this ceremony is known as Danpatsu no Shiki and takes place right before the day of Erikae.
The hair is decorated with custom made Bekkou kanzashi, that features fan motifs, chrysanthemum and pine. There is also an usagi(rabbit) maezashi made from mother of pearl. Exquisite!
Maiko Kikumaru
September kitsuke of Maiko Kikumaru consists of deep red/burgundy hikizuri with white waves design, hakata obi with tucked in obiage and obijime that is holding precious pocchiri. The eri (collar is is white from the embroidery on it yet at the back there still is a red part).
Also she has her hair decorated with seasonal kikyou (bellflower) kanzashi. The hanakanzashi features one big flower, rather than several smaller because Kikumaru san has been senior for quite long time (she had her mizuage 2.5 years ago; younger senior maiko tend to wear tripple hanakanzashi for first half or year as seniors).
In her hands she holds a kago basket, with its cloth made in a shibori style.
After the erikae of Maiko Kikutsuru, Kikumaru san will be the oldest senior maiko left in the okiya. This November it will be 5 years since she officially entered the profession. Who knows maybe next year there will be another celebration in the Hanafusa okiya?...
Maiko Kikune
In Miyagawacho, junior Maiko who are soon to become senior are allowed to wear more mature senior outfits, kanzashi and accessorize. The senior hikizuri and kanzashi worn by Maiko Kikune as well as her junior red collar and the obiage, that ties the top of the obi, basically shows us that Kikune san is in her "transaction period" from junior to senior.
In September Maiko Kikune will be wearing solid pink hikizuri with summer flowers hand-painted on it. The pattern is located under the waist and is not seen on the chest side, signalizing us that this piece is a hikizuri for a senior maiko. It is tied with long darari obi with wave and wheel design. The obijime is tied in a way that it covers the top of the obi. Her eri collar is embroidered with white and silver yet the cold
background is still seen.
Her hair is decorated with senior hanakanzashi, yet she doesn't wear comb as seniors do, but a flower-bridge worn by the junior's.
On her feet she is wearing tall wooden okobo, made from paulownia wood. The straps are red and show us that Kikune chan is still a junior maiko. When she becomes senior she will firstly change to pink and after some time she will be able to choose other colors (accept red).
Maiko Kikushino
Maiko Kikushino is wearing light purple hikizuri, with multi seasonal pattern (it features silk strings, flowers and blossoms from different seasons etc). Her obi features geometrical motif and holds the kimono close.
It has been less than 4 months ago since Kikushino san had her misedashi, meaning she will be wearing hanakanzashi with dangling part and painting her lower lip for a at least 6 more months. But ut is not bad, as Kikushino san looks extremely cute as junior maiko!
In her hands she is carrying a kago bag, with her name specially embroidered on it. This is a unique item, given on the day of Misedashi by the proprietress of hanafusa okiya - okaasan Kikuyu.
Though she is still a young member of the Hanafusa okiya, she is already loved by Kyoto Kagai patrons for her cute looks, wit and sense of humor.
