December Kitsuke

Dear readers and patrons,
This is last kitsuke post in 2019, next one will be in January 2020. Hanafusa okiya members - Okaasan Kikuyu, Geiko Kikutsuru, Geiko Kikumaru, Maiko Kikune, Maiko Kikushino and Shikomi  Junko hope that the Christmas Holidays and New Year celebrations will bring happiness and joy into your house, and that soon we will meet again in the new 2020 - year of the metal rat.
Now, let's return to the December kitsuke post

Geiko Kikutsuru

Geiko Kikutsuru

Geiko Kikutsuru has chosen beautiful kimono of marsala color and shibori bamboo design at the bottom. Bamboo itself is often associated with winter and symbolizes longevity while shibori is a Japanese tie-dying technique: artist uses a variety of techniques in different shapes to make different patterns. It is tied with light beige obi and features small white and silvery designs.
 The eri(collar) is white, and is the symbol of pureness, femininity and maturity.
As we look at Kikutsuru san's katsura(wig), we will see small yet beautiful silver mazeashi - this small but very stylish hairpin features pampas grass. Light wooden comb is placed in the middle of the wig and gives the finishing touch to whole ensemble.

Geiko Kikumaru

Geiko Kikumaru

In December Kikumaru san will wear light purple kimono with Pine(matsu). This design is associated with New Year and winter itself and symbolizes longevity, steadfastness and wisdom in age. The white and golden obi holds the kimono close and is tied at the back in a Taiko ("drum") knot.
Her juban is light pink and features leaf patterns. Geiko also use red juban but mostly for the formal events where they wear kuromontsuki.
Both Kikutsuru san and Kikumaru san wearing for semiformal events wear wigs styled in Geiko Shimada style also known as Chuu Taka Shimada. This is quite liberating as geiko can sleep on regular pillows as well as wearing western clothes. Maiko can do that too but no when having their hair styled in Ofuku or Wareshinobu.

Maiko Kikune

Maiko Kikune

In December Kikune san will be wearing fabulous green hikizuri with hand-painted matsu or pine tree and snow cloud motifs.
In December all kimonos that maiko san and geiko san wear are linned so to keep the wearer warm during winter coldness.
Her obi is created with golden threads that make a geometrical and flower pattern on lighter background. End of the obi has okiya mon or emblem(as every family in japan, all okiya and yakata in have their own emblems too) which means she comes from this family - Hanafusa okiya.
Her hairstyle is called Ofuku and decorated with seasonal matsu take kanzashi that have 2 blank boards that are signed by kabuki actors during the Kaomise Soken event (you can read more abut event and these kanzashi in this post).

Maiko Kikushino

Maiko Kikushino

In December you can spot Kikushino san wearing hikizuri of regal, deep purple color - a silk masterpiece kept in Hanafusa okiya warderobe. You can see momiji(maple leaf), ougi (fan) and kiku(chrysanthemum). It is held with light beige obi that has leaf design. Both kimono and obi give us feeling of a cold wind that has blown away everything that reminded us of autumn days.
You might have noticed that less and less red is being shown on the Kikushino san's collar. It has been almost 2 years since her debut so no wonder her kitsuke is getting more and more mature.
The juban Kikushino san is wearing has pine needle pattern.
Tabi, worn by maiko, are always white! In case they get dirty or get wet, no need to worry - maiko and geiko always have spare pair or several of those in their kago baskets.