Danpatsu no Shiki

Geiko Kikuyu playing shamisen

On Friday evening a special ceremony took place in Hanahusa ochaya. Behind the closed doors, surrounded by closest friends and family, Kikumaru san celebrated her last day as a Maiko.
The celebratory ozashiki started in early evening with a magnificent feast and continued up until midnight. Expensive high-class sake, delicious fresh sashimi and of course lots of traditional sweets were prepared for the guests on this special occasion. After honorable guests have eaten and enjoyed a witty conversation with Hanafusa Maiko and geiko, Okaasan of Hanafusa okiya, geiko Kikuyu performed on the shamisen while Kikumaru san danced "Kurokami" - the last dance of a Maiko.
After the dance, Kikumaru san sat on the special zabuton while okaasan Kikuyu prepared utensils for the ceremony of Danpatsu no shiki. When everything was ready, Kikuyu-okaasan removed all the kanzashi and hairpins from the hair of her maiko daughter and placed them on a tenugui. Than she took special ceremonial scissors and cut several cords that were holding the hair of Kikumaru san.

Dampatsu no shiki

Than Kikutsuru san, oneesan of the geiko-to-be, was called up and was handed the scissors. Kikumaru san smiled towards her oneesan and a small tear flowed from her eye but oneesan quickly caught it with her handkerchief. Sisterhood is something that can be both in RL and in SL. Truth to say, this moment is extremely emotional as after 5 years of being a maiko, there is no way back, you are to become geiko.
Geiko Kikutsuru cut several cords and gave the scissors to Maiko Kikune, now most senior maiko in Hanafusa okiya. After she has cut a hair cord, imouto of Maiko Kikumaru, Maiko Kikushino, took the scissors and cut a cords holding the hair.
After, all her sisters have moved towards the byobu and the honored guests came forward. In the end of the ceremony, the hair was freed from the Sakkou hairdo, and was simply tied into a bun.
It is now done - a new geiko bowed towards the guests thanking them for the support and asking not to forge about her in the future.

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