Great opening of the Tomiyo Ochaya (Sat. 30 of May)

As the final cherry blossoms fall off its branch being replaced by wisteria trees, we are honored to welcome you to the Grand opening of Tomiyo ochaya located in the Higashiyama ward.
During the opening you will be welcomed by Geiko and Maiko san of Hanafusa okiya. Being served the best delicacies Kyoto has to offer, while enjoying the exquisite dance and poetry skills of Geiko and Maiko san. We hope to see you on May 30th for this rare and special event :)
Date: Saturday, 30th of May
Time: 10.30 am slt
LM: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Kyoto/22/220/31

Dear friends and patrons, please join us on this special occasion and please feel free to bring your
friends and family with you

Date Hyogo Hair & Date Hyogo Kanzashi Set (by Kisetsu)

Amazing news from Kisetsu store especially for those who role play as beautiful Oiran, SL Kabuki actors and just admirers of Japanese hairstyles - Date Hyougo Hair & 5 styles of Date Hyougo Kanzashi will be presented at Enchantment event. Be first to get this amazing creation of Nix san as it is definitely worth it. I have not seen a better version of this hair in SL ever!

Interesting information about this hairstyle: Date Hyogo was only worn by Oiran (top rank yujo). With its big chignons and lavishly decorated ornaments, from pins to combs and golden ropes, this hairstyle was the most gorgeous of all

So what you get in the Hair pack? An extremely accurate Date Hyogo and hud for hair color. No Kanzashi are included but no worries as you can wear this mesh hair on its own - it's gorgeous. As always, a beautiful creation worth getting even especially if you adore Japanese coiffure.

So what you get in the Kanzashi set? When i have opened the Torstoise set I was dazzled - there were 24 hairpins!! AND the greatest thing is that you can wear them either all together or individually or even mixing and creating a perfect style of your own. Isn't it great?!

Hair/Wig: Date Hyogo Hair (Hair Only!)

Kanzashi: Date Hyogo Kanzashi Set (No hair in the pack, only hair decorations!).There are 5 styles of kanzashi sets available: Guided, Kitsune, Tortoise, Sakura and Lacquer. 

Creator: Kisetsu (Nix Marabana)

Available at Enchantment - Kitsune Tails event (May 12 - 31st):

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

30 L$ Saturday at Kisetsu store!

The 30L Saturday Sale item is the kisetsu Noren - Red, These are copy and modify. And a full set! Doorway (Static and Animated) and a Hanging Noren. Come and get them in the store now!

Here's your riksha to the shop: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Multitudes/128/129/17

When you visit the shop take a chance to win some goodies - check out the Lucky Letter Boards and let the luck be with you(Group Only).

Don't miss the Stay at Home Club Gift! Also in the store (No Group Needed!) 

May Kitsuke of Hanafusa okiya memebers

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. Please enjoy reading my post about the May kitsuke of Hanafusa okiya Geiko and Maikos.

Geiko Kikutsuru

This month you can spot atatori(heiress) of Hanafusa okiya wearing deep green kimono with bamboo design. Bamboo, or ‘Take’, is deeply entrenched in Japanese culture. It is said to symbolize purity and innocence due to it’s unadorned and simple structure. Bamboo is also said to symbolize prosperity, strength and longevity. These ideas come from the fact that bamboo is an extremely strong plant. It is tied with white obi that has golden design on it. On her feet Kikuntsuru-neesan is wearing Senryoo geta.

Geiko Kikumaru

For the last month of spring Geiko Kikumaru has chosen pale yellow, should i say, even cream semiformal kimono with hand-painted irises and willow. Iris or Kakitsubata is the flower of May and you can see many of those all around Japan. Her obi is green with golden geometrical design on it. Willow is always considered as the symbol of Geiko world (courtesans were "flowers")

In her hands,as well as in the hands of her sisters, 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 Kikune

During May you can see most senior maiko in Hanafusa okiya, Maiko Kikune, 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 that was gifted to her on the day of her misedashi. Her hairstyle is Ofuku and is decorated with seasonal iris kanzashi that resemble irises on the hikizuri.

Maiko Kikushino

On May 15th Maiko Kikushino will step into her last stage as Junior Maiko - Nininmae. Omedetou san dosu ^_^

May is also month when kimono with peony motif, for example one that will be worn this month by Maiko Kikushino - on the sea green silk are light purple peonies, bell flowers, green leaves as well as some plum blossoms that are carried by the stream. Also known as the ‘King of Flowers’, the peony is a symbol of good fortune, bravery and honor. 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.

from left to right: Geiko Kikutsuru(green), Maiko Kikushino(teal), Maiko Kikune(subtle green) and Geiko Kikumaru(beige)

Springtime ozashiki at Daimasa ochaya

The first ozashiki of May took place yesterday at Daimasa ochaya (Kyoto Kagai sim). The local gardens are already in full bloom, encouraging guests to enjoy long walks before and after ozashiki.
It is a blessing that Second life has no quarantine restrictions and everyone can enjoy a sophisticated gathering and conversation with Maiko and Geiko from Hanafusa okiya, who continue to hold events no mater the weather :)

After the meal and a nice conversation with Maiko and Geiko, the koto (Japanese stringed musical instrument) was brought in. During yesterdays ozashiki the role of tachikata or dancer belonged to Geiko Kikumaru, while the accompaniment was  performed by her imouto Maiko Kikushino

 Geiko Kikumaru's self-written poem "In the spring..." was about a young woman facing with the challenge to choose between two paths that would determine her future (a challenge that we all might have faced during our lives) and in the end she expresses a wish that next spring everything with settle down as she had chosen the right path...

The next event will take place on Sunday at Maiko Theater 10 am slt and it will be a great opportunity for those interested in choosing a path of a Geiko as during the event you will be able to ask Geiko san and Maiko san questions about their career and life. Here is your taxi for the event (http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Kyoto/232/241/31), please come with your family and friends :)