Maiko Museum event

Dear guests and newcomers to my blog,
Kyoto Kagai sim continues to hold weekly events for You and Your friends to enjoy the traditional Japanese hospitality and arts. This time i'd like to talk about performance that is held in Maiko Museum.
The main idea was to hold event that could bring together Hanafusa okiya memebrs and people who are interested but are too shy to come to ozashiki or odori. That's why it was decided to build copy of Maiko theater, that is located in RL Miyagawacho Hanamachi.
In Rl Maiko Theater, Maiko san from Miyagwacho hanamachi(usually Shigemori okiya) perform before tourists and you can enjoy tea ceremony, dances by Maiko and ask questions.
On the other hand, in SL You can enjoy the performance of Geiko and Maiko from Hanafusa okiya and ask them about their career, styles and other things that you wanted to know. We also encourage those who would like to apply, to come to this event and see what is it like to be Hanafusa Maiko or Geiko.

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

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

September Kitsuke

Autumn is around the corner yet in Japan, September is considered Summer month. So do not hesitate to visit Kyoto Kagai sim to enjoy the last warm summery days and enjoy the company of Geiko and Maiko from the Hanafusa okiya.
Now lets talk about the September  kitsuke of Hanafusa okiya ladies :)

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

Geiko Kikutsuru's semiformal ro kimono for September has gorgeous river and willow design on a beige background. Willow for a long time is associated with Geiko and Maiko world and is a symbol of grace and strength. Green obi with Kikyou(bellflower) design holds the kimono close. Her wig is decorated with Asagao maezashi, kushi made from light wood and jade tama at the back.
Geiko Kikumaru is wearing dark blue ro kimono with a wave design. Kimono made of ro fabric are very popular. You can define it due to its translucent stripes. This very classy way to weave silk is most popular and even wearable for formal occasions so no wonder that some Okiya or Geiko own several of those in their trunks for the summer. It is tied with red hakata obi and white obijime. As any other Geiko, Kikumaru san uses red obiage.
Maiko Kikune has chosen subtle purple ro hikizuri for September. You need to look closely to admire the intricate flowery design. It is tied with black and golden darari obi that goes well with hikizuri. Obiage is tucked into the obi - it is custom in Miyagwacho for their Maiko to start tucking obiage right after becoming Senior. Her hair is styled in Ofuku - Senior Maiko hairstyle and decorated with big Kikyou hanakanzashi, kushi, smaller kikyou maezashi, bira bira kanzashi, hirauchi and jade tama.
Maiko Kikushino, who is the youngest Maiko in the okiya, is wearing deep purple hikizuri with handpainted water flow and momiji leaf design. It is tied with long golden darari obi. Her hair is styled in Wareshinobu - Junior Maiko hairstyle and is decorated with new fashionable seasonal kanzashi(this month it is Kikyou or Chinese bellflower). Flowers of the hanakanzashi are smaller in size but bigger in quantities, her hanagushi(or katsuyama bridge kanzashi) consists of smaller Kikyou flowers and at the back she is wearing Kanakodome and Tachibana pin - these are distinctive details that can tell that it is a Junior Maiko standing before you .

Geiko Kikumaru(black), Geiko Kikutsuru(beige), Maiko Kikushino(purple), Maiko Kikune(subtle purple)
Photo taken at Kyoto Kagai sim: 

Seasonal Kanzashi - Kikyou

It's time for beautiful seasonal kanzashi! This time it is Kikyou or Chinese bell-flower - seasonal flower of September, which is available at SaNaRae from 26th of August till 17th of September.

It got its name from its looks as before it opens, the petals form the shape of a hanging bell. This colorful flower belongs to "Aki no nanakusa" (seven grasses and flowers of Autumn) so we can even call it "the first flower/bell of Autumn". Also, it is worth mentioning that this flower means unchanging love, honesty and obedience. And, what is important, you can wear those as a hair decoration even if you are not maiko - they suit even a simple hairdo.

For August/September SaNaRae event, Kisetsu has prepared 5 different color styles of Asagao Tsumami Kanzashi - Indigo, Indigo&Pink, Pink, Pink&Blue and Violet. Each style consists of 3 pieces - Hana Kanzashi (the bigger piece on the right), small kanzashi and a flower bridge with several flowers. A perfect decoration for your hair in Autumn, ne?

Hair decoration: Tsumami Kanzashi - Kikyou
Creator: Kisetsu (Nix Marabana)
Available at SaNaRae: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Spring%20Morning/192/136/4013
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

Beer Garden Event

Event at the Beer Garden

One of the most popular event between the visitors, held at Kyoto Kagai sim during summer, is an event held at Beer Garden event, often known as Beer Garden Event. It is held in a open area with a small stag, where Maiko and Geiko perform. When guests come, they are able to taste different types of beer and snacks, and you do know that there is nothing better than a good beer in an icy cold mug when the summer heat is at its peak.
After drinking beer (or mugicha for those who do not like alcoholic beverages) and tasting delicious summer snacks, time has come for Maiko Kikune and Maiko Kikushino perform a dance and poem.
Both were self choreographer and self written, and guests admired the hard work and heart put into the performance.

Maiko Kikune and Kikushino performing a dance

The next event will be an ozashiki held on Saturday, 7th of September 11 am slt at GIon Higashi Chaya and we encourage You to come and enjoy the last month of summer in the cooling atmosphere of tea house located on the Kamo river.