How to contact us inworld

Dear readers and visitors of our blog,

Approximately a week ago i was asked in the comment section if there was a possibility of contacting Hanafusa members in-world. Due to technical reasons i was not able to answer in comments, so i decided that the best thing would be to write a small post with names and contacts. I have received their permission and they said that all of the will be happy to answer any of the questions or hear suggestions that you might have.

So, if you have questions about maiko/geiko life, weekly event, interview, filming at the sim etc. please feel free to contact:

• Geiko Kikutsuru - miehina resident
• Maiko Kikumaru - belliebeth resident

If you have suggestion or things you would like to read at our blog please contact:

• Maiko Kikumaru - belliebeth resident

If you are interested in renting at our sim please contact:

• Geiko Kikutsuru - miehina resident

From left to right: Maiko Kikushino, Maiko Kikumaru, Maiko Kikutsuru(now geiko) and Maiko Kikune

Looking forward to hearing from you soon,
Your faithfully,
Memebrs of the Hanafusa okiya

June Kitsuke

Ah, Summer in Kyoto Kagai sim...Parks are covered with blooming hydrangea and water irises. The birds are relaxing in the shade of oaks and sycamores. You can undoubtedly feel that every inhabitant of the land is enjoying the summer heat. But Hanafusa Maiko and Geiko have no time for being lazy - you can spot them every day, walking towards their appointments nevertheless they will be happy to greet you and show you around the sim. Apart from traditional weekly events, there will be several special ones that will take place this month: Maiko Kikushino starts her 2nd year as a maiko and her oneesan Maiko Kikumaru begins wearing sakkou. So be sure to visit Kyoto Kagai sim this month :)

from left to right: Maiko Kikushino(purple), Maiko Kikune(white), Maiko Kikumaru(black) and Geiko Kikutsuru

Geiko Kikutsuru: a gorgeous kimono is wont by Geiko Kikutsuru this month - the hem has painted water and irises are growing out of it. The water and the dark background has a cooling effect on the viewers which comes quite in handy during hot summer months in Kyoto. The obi has morning glory flowers on the black and white checked background. It is tied in Otaiko knot at the back and holds the kimono close.
Maiko Kikumaru: the most senior Maiko in Hanafusa okiya has stepped into the last stage of being a Maiko - the Sakkou stage. From 22nd of June till mid/end of July you can spot her wear Sakkou hairstyle and formal kuromontsuki kimono. This signifies that she will continue to be an active member of the Second life Karyukai, which is a good thing as nowadays there are only several active geiko around(2 of which come from the same okiya: Geiko Kikuyu and Geiko Kikutsuru). There is a special post about Maiko Kikumaru's style worn during the Sakkou stage.
Maiko Kikune: this month you can spot Kikune san wearing white hikizuri with fuji(wisteria) design. The light purple color of the wisteria goes perfectly with the Ajisai(hydrangea) kanzashi in her Ofuku hairstyle. The obi is black and has geometrical motif on it.
Maiko Kikushino: the only imouto of Kikumaru san, Maiko Kikushino, is wearing bright gradient hikizuri that has hydrangea, pond and lilies - perfect for summer heat. Her hair is decorated with willow hakanazashi - another  seasonal design, most commonly worn by Junior Maiko. It is also rank appropriate as has now passed her first year as Maiko. I have created a special post that is dedicated to the new looks of Maiko Kikushino as 2nd year Maiko.

Maiko Kikumaru is now wearing Sakkou!

Another amazing news coming from Hanafusa okiya - oneesan of Maiko Kikushino, Maiko Kikumaru was spotted wearing formal attire with hair hair styled into Sakkou hairstyle. This means that in about a month Hanafusa okiya will have new Geiko. Just like Kikutsuru san last year, erikae celebrations will take place in summer and we encourage You to come and witness this extremely rare event in the life of the Second Life Karyukai

Now lets have a look at the outfit that Kikumaru san will wear during her sakkou stage:

• Hair: during this last month as a maiko, a very special Sakkou (also known as saki kogai) hairstyle is worn and that is why this stage if often called "sakkou". Before it was adopted by Karyukai, it was worn by the brides-to-be during the Edo era and it signified a dedication for a future husband. Nowadays, by wearing sakkou geiko-to-be shows her dedication for the profession and willingness to continue as part of the Karyukai. As you can see, from the front it does remind a normal Maiko hairstyle(such as ofuku or wareshinobu) but if you look at the back you will notice how extravagant this hairstyle really is - elegant and smooth lines of hair, decorated with silver wires and red bands. Truly, a masterpiece! 
• Kanzashi: specially ordered custom made daikan kanzashi crowns the hair of Maiko Kikumaru - it features crane flying upon a golden ship, pine and water. all of these elements are considered lucky and are to bring good fortune. 2 bekkou hairpins were gifted to her by her oneesan Maiko Kikutsuru and the comb is Hanafusa okiya's antique. 
• Make up: Formal make up with three lines at the back is worn and you can notice that there is more black and almost none pink, meaning she is now a mature lady
• Eri(collar): with formal sakkou looks also comes special eri that has red background with beautiful golden embroidery(small golden dots)
• Kimono and obi: as Sakkou stage is considered a highly formal occasion, Kikumaru san will be wearing most ceremonial, custom made black kuromontsuki that has 5 Hanafusa crests on it. This masterpiece features tsuru(cranes) flying upon the waves. It is tied with white and golden obi that has fan flower motif. Now you can notice that the kimono piece and daikan kanzashi are matching together and it does look like one of the cranes from the kuromontsuki flew towards the ship.
• Kago: this type of kago, worn by maiko Kikumaru, was gifted to her by okaasan Kikuyu way back in 2013 when Kikumaru san made her debut as Maiko. By wearing this kago during last month as Maiko, Kikumaru san shows her appreciation for Hanafusa okiya

Maiko Kikumaru posing in the park of Kyoto Kagai sim

Kikumaru san said: "From the bottom of my heart I would like to welcome you, your family and friends to take part in the celebrations of Kyoto Kagai sim that will take place this month. By performing Kurokami (my last dance as a Maiko) during this month i would like to thank you for the support and love that you have given me. Ookini san dosu"

Maiko Kikumaru and her imouto Maiko Kikushino walking towards their appointment

...The doors of the okiya slid and two beautiful ladies appeared. Dressed in gorgeous silk kimono they were hurrying somewhere yet when they saw me they bowed and greeted me kindly...

Maiko Kikushino(purple) and Maiko Kikuamaru(black)

Maiko Kikushino passed her first year as Maiko!

Yes, yes and yes!
It has been a year since young Kikushino san, wearing Hanafusa okiya's best formal kimono and hairpieces, stepped out into the flashlight of the photographers. Her misedashi celebrations took place way back in May of 2018 and since then she has studies hard and was promoted to next rank. With it comes more responsibility and, of course, slight change in her looks:

• Hairstyle and Kanzashi: She will continue to wear wareshinobu hairstyle until she is senior but from now on she will wear shorter versions of kanzashi and not childish shidare ("dangling") ones. The change is visible at the photos: 1st photo shows Kikushino san with her shidare kanzashi, while 2nd photo shows her more mature style of kanzashi that she will wear from now on.
• Make up: From now on Kikushino san will paint a small upper lip; red and pink are still predominant colors in her make up, but now we can notice that black now appears in her eyebrows and corners of the eyes.
• Eri(collar): More white embroidery is added to the collar, yet the red background is still quite visible
• Kimono: colorful kimonos with childish designs(kodama, dolls etc) as well as those that have patterns all over are still worn, bur from now on Kikushino san is allowed to wear black semiformal hikizuri as well as kimono that have design only on one shoulder.

I must admit that her new looks suit her and she looks even more beautiful than before! 

Okaasan, oneesan and senior sisters are happy to congratulate Kikushino san on her achievement and wish her to continue hard work on becoming a true flower of the Kryukai!