February Kitsuke

Okaasan Kikuyu

Okaasan Kikuyu

During February you can see Geiko Kikuyu attending ozashiki and events wearing gorgeous stripe Marsala kimono.
It is tied with beige nagoya obi that has green and white geometrical pattern.
In her hands she is holding a purse of the same color a her kimono. Kago are mostly used with semiformal geiko and maiko outfits while purses like that with comon, iromuji, tomesode or tsukesage.
On her feet you can see white tabi and zori that are as well of marsala color.

 Geiko Kikutsuru

Geiko Kikutsuru 

Kikutsuru san if fully prepared for the spring, even more - she looks like a plum blossom herself . Her kimono has light pink background and features hand painted ume(plum). Plum Blossom is the first flower to bloom in the spring and is known as the ‘Flower of Peace’. A protective charm against evil, it also represents longevity, renewal and perseverance. How can you Identifiy one? Simply loot at it's petals - they are rounded.
Her eri collar is purely white and is symbol of a mature woman, rather than ones worn by her younger sisters, theirs still feature red color (symbol of youth, childhood).
It is tied with unique obi, that was specially commissioned for her during her erikae. This unique obi features "tsuru" or crane, which not only is part of Kiktsuru san's name (her name means "chrysanthemum crane") but also is a symbol of longevity and good luck because it is thought to have a life span of a thousand years.
On her fet she is wearing special geta called as Senryou geta and are worn only by Geiko san

Maiko Kikumaru

Maiko Kikumaru

This month Maiko Kikumaru will be wearing one of her oneesan's creations - light blue hikizuri with plum blossoms. I would like to mention that blue is a color which represents purity,calmness, stability and cleanliness (purifying blue water). It is considered a feminine color and is often worn by young women.
Her long golden Darari obi is tied in a very special way, worn only by maiko. On the obi you can spot a belt called obijime, which ties one of the most expensive objects worn by maiko - the pocchiri. These are made of incredibly fine materials such as gold and diamonds or emeralds, as well as very detailed enamel workmanship and are extremely expensive.
In her hands she is holding pink kago made from chirimen silk. In this small "bag" Maiko have everything they might need during ozashiki - Maioughi (dance fan), spare pair of tabi socks, special comb in case maiko san need to adjust her hair, maiko lipstick, white powder and, of course, meishi (business cards).
Her hair is made into Ofuku hairstyle and is decorated with seasonal plum blossom kanzashi.

Maiko Kikune

Maiko Kikune

In February you can see maiko Kikune in gorgeous red hikizuri with eye-catching design  -waves are carrying maple leafs, chrysanthemums and peonies almost like preparing the earth for the new flowers and leafs that will be born in spring.
Her obi is called Darari Obi and is almost 7 meters long and it is tied in way that it's ends are hanging down. This is done so to show the small stature of maiko as during previous centuries maiko san were children. Nowadays maiko san are between 15 and 20 years old, and erikae often take place when they are about 21.
Since January her hair is styles into Ofuku hairtyle and decorated with senior maiko kanzashi, which are more simple and mature. In February her hair is decorated with seasonal triple ume hanakanzashi at the front and a simple kushi comb at the back.

As she is senior maiko now, the stripes on her okobo are of pink color. As she progresses through her career as a maiko, she will be able to use blue, green, yellow and other colored stripes.

Maiko Kikushino

Maiko Kikushino

Maiko Kikushino looks so young and fresh, truly she's little spring flower. At the moment she is the youngest member of Hanafusa okiya, yet during this spring it will be 1 year since she has debuted. Hikizuri worn by her has a soft white background with little colorful plum blossoms on it. You can see that though maiko wear. As you can see, hikizuri with plum blossoms can be worn both by maiko and geiko of any rank, it mostly depends on the design. The more junior the maiko is, the more childish design will be on the hikizuri. Geiko and Senior maiko will wear smaller, mature and  more sophisticated designs
Her Obi is decorated with marvelous woven golden ornaments, that really suits the plum flowers on the hikizuri.
her juban is red and features spring flower pattern
As Junior Maiko, Maiko Kikushino, as well as her maiko neesan Maiko Kikune and oneesan Kikumaru, is wearing high okobo but with red stripes.