Summer is near! Uchiwa and sensu Fans Gatcha from Kisetsu

Summer is waiting at the corner and Kyoto Kagai sim members are fully preparing for the Japanese heat - light yukata are taken out from the wardrobes while new items such as fans and hairpins are bought. This month Kisetsu has created amazing Uchiw aand sensu fans gatcha specifically for you. Give it a try, you might get lucky and get the rare summer bell
And you, are you ready for the summer heat? 
Uchiwa fans, Sensu fans (both have hand and display versions) + Rare Furin summer bells gatcha prizes from kisetsu available at May Gatcha Garden (here is your taxi: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gimme%20Gacha%20Productions/81/225/22)
After the event you can buy these gatcha items at the official Kisetsu store: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Multitudes/124/141/18

Maiko Kikumaru posing at the Gion Higashi ochaya balcony located in Kyoto Kagai sim
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Kyoto/147/160/31

Maiko Kikumaru is now wearing Yakko Shimada!

Great news! As it was expected Maiko Kikumaru started wearing Yakko Shimada, which means that she is on her way to become Geiko san. During the Kyo Odori she hosted tea ceremony and it was announced by Okaasan Geiko Kikuyu that Kikumaru has passed the exam and will be allowed to have erikae. This is super news as there have been little women who debuted as geiko in the Second Life Karyukai and even less maiko who decided to continue on and become ones. Last year it has been Kikumaru's oneesan, Kikutsuru san, who had her erikae and now the time has come for Kikumaru san as well. It has been almost 6 years since she entered Hanafusa okiya - she was officially accepted as shikomi on April 13th 2013 and debuted as maiko under Kikutsuru san on November 22nd 2013. A long way! Now let's have a look at her kitsuke as it is definitely worth a fortune.

Hairstyle: This stage is often called "yakko shimada" because of the hairstyle worn. As you already know senior maiko wear yakko shimada during formal events but they also wear it during the period before switching to the last hairstyle of a maiko - Sakkou. 

Kanzashi: The Daikan or front hanakanzashi should be auspicious, that's why most of the maiko tend to wear pine(worn last year by Kikutsuru san), crane/heron, golden or silver pine needles etc. Basically the motif must be auspicious. Maiko Kikumaru has decided to wear a metal chrysanthemum to show her appreciation for the okiya(the naming like of Hanafusa okiya is Kiku- which means "chrysanthemum"). This flower symbolizes longevity, rejuvenation and regal beauty.

The small maezashi on the left consists of precious stones and again is used for only special occasions. The comb is made of bekkou (tortoiseshell) and is a relic of the Okiya while the hairpin at the back, also made of bekkou, is a gift from her oneesan.

Kimono and Obi: Hikizuri that is worn by Maiko Kikumaru was custom made for her. It has plum blossoms, chrysanthemums, bamboo leafs and narcissus flowers design. There are also some rocks painted as well and it seems that some of flowers have grown out from the rocks.Truly masterpiece! The color of this hikizuri is subtle and gradates from blue/purple to white at the hem and sleeves. You can notice the mon(crest) of Hanafusa okiya on the sleeves and chest. 

The obi is light and the pattern on it is created with a golden silk thread which makes it very valuable piece. At the bottom you can spot the crest of the okiya Kikumaru san is from. As the Kimono has crests the Juban(underskirt) should be formal too - the one worn by Kikumaru san has golden waves on it.

Footwear: As all Maiko, Kikumaru san is wearing Okobo as soon she will have to put them aside and switch to more comfortable zouri or geta.

Maiko Kikumaru of Hanafusa okiya posing on the bridge that is located in the Maruyama park of Kyoto Kagai sim

Maiko Kikumaru said: "I am forever grateful for all the support that You, dear friends and patrons, have shown me. The love and solace given to me by the Okasan Kikuyu, Oneesan Kikutsuru, my younger sister Kikune and my imouto Kikushino created the person you see now. I will continue walking on the path i have chosen 6 years ago. Yoroshiku otano moshimasu ".

We welcome everyone to witness the final months of Maiko Kikumaru as Maiko during the ozashiki and public performances that will take place this month. Please feel free to come with friends and family to witness the birth of a newest Geiko of Second life

May Kitsuke of Hanafusa okiya members

The odori and sakura season is now officially over and the Karyukai returns to it's normal life. Maiko san and Geiko san start taking their lessons again and also more ozashiki are taking place on the Kyoto Kagai sim as well. In a way this May is quite special for Hanafusa okiya but i will later reveal why. As for now, please enjoy reading my post about the May kitsuke of Hanafusa okiya Geiko and Maikos.

Maiko Kikumaru(left) and Geiko Kikutsuru(right) posing in front of a small Shrine

Geiko Kikutsuru
This month you can spot atatori(heiress) of Hanafusa okiya wearing light yellow kimono with iris pattern. Iris or Kakitsubata is the flower of May and you can see many of those all around Japan. Her obi is silver and also has small irises on it. In her hands she is holding a kago bag, in which maiko and geiko carry items that might need during the events, for example spare pair of tabi socks, comb, traditional lipstick, mirror, comb, hanameishi(business cards) etc.
Maiko Kikumaru
This month is very special for Maiko Kikumaru as this month is her pre last one before she becomes geiko. I will write another post precisely about this stage but as you can see now she is wearing crested hikizuri with formal underskirt. Not seen from this angle but her hair i styled in Yakko Shimada hairstyle and she is wearing more expensive type of kanzashi than her younger sisters. Her obi is golden and has a decorative pattern on it. In her hands she is holding a kago bag as well as her oneesan Geiko Kikutsuru.

Maiko Kikushino(left) and Maiko Kikune(right) posing in font of  Maiko Theater

Maiko Kikune
During May you can see Kikune san wearing gorgeous subtle hikizuri with exquisite iris design. It is tied with gold obi with flower pattern on it. Her hairstyle is Ofuku and is decorated with seasonal iris kanzashi that resemble irises on the hikizuri. Since Kikumaru san is soon to become Geiko, Kikune san will have mall of the Senior kimono to choose from. In her hands she is holding a very special kago - the one she was gifted to her on the day of her misedashi.
Maiko Kikushino
The youngest Maiko in the flower bunch of Hanafusa okiya, Maiko Kikushino, is wearing light purple hikizuri with flower fans and leaf design. This kimono gives us a perfect feeling of the spring freshness, the full revival of the nature. It is firmly tied with green darari obi with yellow geometrical design. Her hairstyle is Wareshinobu, the traditional hairstyle of the Junior Maiko, is decorated with another seasonal flower - Fuji or Wisteria. While Iris kanzashi are reserved for senior maiko only, fuji kanzashi can be worn by both juniors and seniors.
It has been almost a year since Kikushino san debuted as maiko and that means that soon possibly we will see her painting her upper lip. Who knows, lets wait and see :)