Seasonal kanzashi - Matsu Take(December)

It's time for winter kanzashi and today i am going to talk about December seasonal kanzashi, why they look like this and why there are two small boards or maneki on it. So lets go!

The main event in December, that involves all 5 hanamachi in Kyoto, is Kaomise Soken. During the first week of this month, maiko and geiko from all hanamachi visit the Minamiza theater to watch kabuki plays. I need to mention, that this year the Minamiza theater was going though the earthquake proofing and was reopened in November, right before the Kaomise Soken. Now, this is the reason why maiko san, both junior and senior, have these blank makeki boards. After the play, they go behind the stage and have these boards signed by their favorite kabuki actors - black ink is used by the actors who perform male roles and red ink by those who perform as onnagata (female roles). So, before the play maiko san wear blank maneki on the hanakanzashi and after the event they proudly wear the signed ones. Side motifs on the kanzashi are pine, bamboo, lucky charms, event small makeni neko. Everything depends on the senority - juniors wear childish ones while seniors get the mature one, such as the style worn on the photo.

This December, Kisetsu has prepared 3 different styles of Pine/Bamboo Kanzashi - frost, green and soft. Each style consists of 3 pieces - Hana Kanzashi (the bigger piece on the right), small kanzashi and a kushi(comb) with a tiny pine needle. So elaborate!

Hair decoration: Pine/Bamboo Kanzashi

Creator: Kisetsu (Nix Marabana)

Available at Sanarae event: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Spring%20Morning/25/76/4012

After the event you can find these amazing Japanese hairpins in the Kisetsu shop, alongside with high quality Japanese footwear, bags, kimono, hairstyles etc: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Multitudes/122/141/18

In this photo Maiko Kkumaru is wearing Pine/Bamboo kanzashi(green) 

December Kitsuke

Dear readers and patrons,

This is last kitsuke post in 2018, next one will be in January 2019. Although this has been a hard year, i feel sad that it is ending. I hope that the Christmas Holidays and New Year celebrations will bring happiness and joy into your house, as well as a wish to meet You in the new 2019 year.

Now, let's return to the December kitsuke post.

From left to right: Maiko Kikune, Maiko Kikumaru, Geiko Kikutsuru, Maiko Kikushino

Geiko Kikutsuru
It has been almost 2 months since Kikutsuru san has become geiko, and she is feeling more and more confident in her mature role. For November she wears black kimono with a matsu(pine) design. Her obi is eye catching as it features Japanese scenery with pagoda and a forest. If you look very close you can even see people.
Maiko Kikumaru
In the final month of 2018, Kikumaru san is wearing black hikizuri made in a shibori style. Most of the kimono made in this style are extremely expensive as it takes months to complete one piece. The kimono is tied with a green obi, that has golden geometrical design. The green on the obi goes beautifully with the green of the undergarment as well as green hanakanzashi. The Seasonal kanzashi for seniors most often feature pine, bamboo and most important - 2 small maneki boards.
Maiko Kikune
As her older sister, the kimono of Maiko Kikune features shibori motif such as butterfly as well as white snow on the black silk background. Obi is of bright orange color and golden design goes all over it. The kanzashi worn by maiko  Kikune during this month feature many good luck motifs as well as 2 maneki boards. This style is more for junior maiko.
Maiko Kikushino
Another shibori masterpiece is worn by Maiko Kikushino - very vivid red with is associated with youth on a black background. The obi that is holding the kimono closely has a green background with beautiful golden bamboo design. The kanzashi are the same as worn by her neesan, Maiko Kikune and have many lucky charms and winter holiday items(hagoita).