Walking around Kyoto Kagai sim: Tatsumi Shrine

In ancient city of Kyoto, on the Shirakawa-minami-dori street, famous for its expensive and luxurious tea houses, a small shrine is located. Local legend tells that centuries ago locals had big problem with tanuki(racoon dog), who lived under the Tatsumi bridge nearby. Tanuki caused used to attack those who were passing by and made them fall into water of the Shirakawa channel. It was decided that a shrine could be a solution therefore a small shrine was built beside the bridge. And the funny thing is that after the shrine was built, there were no problems with tanuki what so ever. The name of the shrine is Tatsumi Jinja.

Nowadays, Tatsumi bashi (bridge) and Tatsumi Jinja are considered to be one of the most picturesque places in Kyoto and even Japan. If you are lucky, you can spot a maiko or a geiko walking to their appointments

Second life hosts a copy of the Tatsumi Jinja and other scenic places located in Kyoto Kagai sim. 

LM to Tatsumi shrine and Kyoto Kagai sim: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Kyoto/67/203/31

Historic tour around Miyagawacho Hanamachi (Saturday 29th 11 am slt )

 Deep in the heart of Kyoto Kagai lays Miyagawacho hanamachi, one of the 5 geiko (Kyoto word for geisha) districts in Kyoto. This Saturday we invite You, Your family and friends to join Maiko Kikune (Hanafusa okiya) for a relaxing historical tour around Miyagawacho Hanamachi, its history and traditions ^_^ 

Taxi: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Kyoto/231/247/31

Ghostly story time coming this Wednesday 👻

When the summer evenings get too hot, it is time for Japanese ghost folklore. Just imagine - you enter an old house that seems empty yet you can feel that there is somebody watching your every move...Come and join us for Ghostly story time this Wednesday👻

Date&Time: August Wed.19th, 10 am slt

LM: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Kyoto/77/46/32

Obon celebrations at Kyoto Kagai sim

What can be better than an event where you can play games, win different prizes, eat delicious fatty and sweet stall foods, dance an ancient dance and when night comes gather with friends and tell scary stories?! Yes, its August and time for Obon celebrations in Kyoto Kagai sim.
This year's celebrations are going to be enormous! Sooo many things to try, so many games to play and soo many stories to hear from members of Hanafusa okiya or maybe you would like to share one as well?
Date: Saturday 15th of August
Time: 10 am slt
Taxi: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Kyoto/63/205/31

Hassaku 2020

1st of August is always one of the most busy and important days in August for Hanafusa okiya members as this is the day of Hassaku. What is Hassaku and why is it considered that important? Well, it is similar to greeting rounds that take place in winter (Shin Aishatsu) but, of course, there are several differences. So, every year on this hot summer day, all okiya members from Miyagawacho Hanamachi dress up in their casual komon or iromuji and go on rounds, paying respects to teachers, establishments and sometimes long time patrons. Indeed, it takes time to make all visits and greet people that play important if not major part in the life of the okiya - kimono makers, local shop keepers, kanzashi makers, tea house owners, teachers, fan and prop makers etc. This is same, both for Rl and SL, as Hanafusa okiya tries to keep all the traditions, being as realistic as possible.
If you have seen pictures from Hassaku, you might have noticed that some Maiko and Geiko wear most formal kimono called kuromontsuki while others (as do Hanafusa maiko on the picture) - simpler kimono and no make up. So who wears what during Hassaku?
Gion Kobu: Maiko san and Geiko san from Gion Kobu hanamachi wear formal regalia (kuromontsuki with 5 crests of the okiya and formal obi, formal make up with 3 stripes, tortoise shell kanzashi alongside with august pampas hanakanzashi; in case or senior maiko hairstyle is called Yakko Shimada, while junior maiko wear their hair styled in Wareshinobu).
Gion Higashi: casual komon or iromuji, no make up, hairstyle: Wareshinobu or Ofuku
Kamishichiken: casual komon or iromuji, no make up, hairstyle: Wareshinobu or Ofuku
Miyagawacho: casual komon or iromuji, no make up, hairstyle: Wareshinobu or Ofuku
Pontocho: casual komon or iromuji, no make up, hairstyle: Wareshinobu or Ofuku
This is one of the best times to see the members of Kagai, as they flow through streets in small groups. Also, this is a good time for you to notice the changes that have occurred since springtime odori's: who has become senior, new members or who has returned to kagai etc. This year has showed us that Hanafusa okiya of SL has been doing quite well - there are 2 active Geiko and 2 active Maiko. Looks like there will be some some good changes this year as well, but those are still rumors :) 

from left to right: Maiko Kikushino(green), Geiko Kikumaru(light blue),
Geiko Kikutsuru(beige) and Maiko Kikune(purple)

August Kitsuke

Mid-August in Kyoto Kagai...Geiko and Maiko from Hanafusa okiya are enjoying a beautiful walk around the decorated Tanabata area (close to Tenmangu-ji) in their semiformal garments and this means the time has come for our monthly kitsuke post!
P.S. Don't forget about Tanabata and Obon that will take place this month, take your friends and family with you as there will be fun for children as well as adults! 

Geiko Kikutsuru

 

Geiko Kikutsuru's semiformal ro kimono for August features gorgeous river and willow design on a beige background. For centuries Willow was associated with Geiko and Maiko world and is a symbol of grace and strength. This kimono is exclusive and one of the kind, and belongs solemnly to Kikutsuru san.
Green obi, with Kikyou (bell-flower) and several Asagao (morning glory) flower design, holds the kimono close. Both flowers are used in summer kimono and obi designs and patterns right up until end of September. The obi is tied in Taiko Musubi knot
Her Juban (underskirt) has a design created in Shibori technique (is a Japanese manual resist dyeing technique, which produces patterns on fabric). 

Her katsura (wig) is decorated with small maezashi hairpin, kushi made from light wood and jade tama at the back.
Geiko have bigger choice in footwear than maiko - they can choose between several types of geta or comfortable zori, when weather is rainy/the area where they will be requires them to wear footwear.

Geiko Kikumaru

Geiko Kikumaru's semiformal outfit for August features water flows and summer flowers on the deep turquoise background. This kimono can be worn from beginning of summer right up until September.
Is it tied with exquisite woven silk obi that has styles golden flower on it. This piece belongs to Kikumaru san and was created for her by a famous Second life kimono artist.
As all Geiko wear wigs styled in style worn by married women in Edo, the decorations are also limited - maezashi at the front, a comb and seasonal tama at the back.
In her hands she is holding a kago on the day of her debut as geiko and has her name embroidered on it. As you might have noticed already both Geiko and Maiko are holding their kago, there they keep things that can be needed during ozahsiki - spare tabi socks, several fans, lipstic, comb, white powder, compact mirror etc.

Maiko Kikune

Senior Maiko Kikune has chosen subtle purple ro hikizuri for August. You need to look closely to admire the intricate flowery design that goes all over the kimono.

It is tied with black darari obi that goes well with hikizuri. The design on the obi features the iconic summer sight - the lit up paper lanterns of the Gion Matsuri Festival.
Obiage is tucked into the obi - it is custom in Miyagwacho for their Maiko to start tucking obiage right after becoming Senior. It is different in other Hanamachi, for example in Gion Kobu Maiko start tying obiage when they preparing for erikae.
Her hair is styled in Ofuku - Senior Maiko hairstyle and decorated with seasonal Asagao (morning glory) hanakanzashi, kushi (comb), smaller asagao maezashi, bira bira kanzashi at the front as well as hirauchi and jade tama at the back of the hair.

Maiko Kikushino

Maiko Kikushino, who is the youngest Maiko in the okiya, is wearing beautiful bright blue hikizuri with hand-painted goldfish and water circles design. Kikushino has stepped into her 3rd year as Maiko which means that soon enough she will have to give up all her junior maiko kimonos. Who knows :) 

It is tied with long white darari obi. This obi is sister version of the one worn by her neesan maiko Kikune - it features famous paper lanterns of Gion Matsuri festival but during the day.

Her hair is styled in Wareshinobu - Junior Maiko hairstyle and is crowned with silver color flower which actually is pampass grass designed in as if it is a flower. It is another seasonal motif for kanzashi apart from Asagao, that is worn mostly by Senior maiko. At the back she is wearing Kanakodome and Tachibana pin - these are distinctive details that can tell that it is a Junior Maiko has just passed by you :)