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 :)