Kyo Odori 2021 coming soon!

Dear friends and patrons,

While you're spending time at home due to coronavirus outbreak, possibly having your trips and other plans canceled, Kyoto Kagai sim would like to invite you and your friends to this years 9th annual Kyo odori. 

This year's odori is very special as it will be a join performance - Geiko Toshiha from Komayaka Okiya will perform together with Hanafusa okiya Geiko and Maiko.

For those who have not been to any odori but are interested, Kyo odori is a traditional dance event in Miyagawacho Hanamachi of Kyoto Kagai sim. Every year, in end of April, Maiko and Geiko welcome Spring with their beautiful dances and poems at Miyagawa-chō Kaburen-jō Theatre.

Before the Odori starts, a tea ceremony is held for all the guests. The program changes every year, apart from last act - traditional ending known as "Miyagawa Ondo".

This year, Maiko and Geiko of Hanafusa okiya and Geiko from Komayaka Okiya will be honored to entertain you on Sunday April 25th at 10 am slt - 11.30 am slt! So that to present our visitors with high quality performance, maiko san and geiko san have already started preparations and practice relentlessly every day.

🌸 We have reservations available. For booking please inworld contact Maiko Kikutsuru(Miehina).

🌸 If you would like to have this year's Kyo Odori posters at your store or sim, please contact Geiko Kikumaru (belliebeth).

We are looking forward to welcoming you at our Kaburenjo. Please stay safe, wash hands and be cautious about the virus. Let's welcome the Spring together at Miyagawacho Hahamachi Kaburenjo! ( >click for taxi< )

Higashiyama Hanatoro 2021

 Higashiyama Hanatoro (also written Hanatouro) is one of the two Hanatoro events held in Kyoto sim every year; the other one being Arashiyama Hanatoro in December. There is really a lot to see at Higashiyama Hanatoro, from dancing Hanafusa Maiko to Yasaka Jinja beautifully bathed in light. 

The event is a chance for you to see Kyoto Kagai sim in a new spring light surrounded with trees that are starting to bloom. Walk in the narrow streets of Higashiyama and hope that an apprentice geisha, maiko, comes by, or just go to see the maiko dance at Yasaka Shrine where you are guaranteed to see them!

March Kitsuke

Members of Hanafusa okiya posing in front of Hina Matsuri doll display
(from left: Maiko Kikune, Geiko Kikutsuru, Geiko Kikumaru, Maiko Kikushino)

Geiko Kikutsuru is wearing deep blue kimono with hand-painted sakura blossoms. Silver obi accompanies the kimono well and holds kimono close to the body. Her katsura or wig is decorated with a very special maezashi which represents a pinwheel. You see, this type of kanzashi (full kanzashi ensemble of course - hanakanzashi, maezashi and hanagushi) is worn by Minarai in Gion Kobu and Pontocho and is often associated with youthfulness. As march is known of it's Hinamatsuri celebrations, therefore festival dedicated to young girls and women, Geiko Kikutsuru has chosen a hair decoration that represents this joyful event, that takes place only once a year

Geiko Kikumaru's kimono has plum blossoms, chrysanthemums, bamboo leafs and narcissus flowers design. There are also some rocks painted as well and it seems that some of flowers have grown out from the rocks. The color of this hikizuri is subtle and gradates from blue/purple to white at the hem and sleeves. The obi is light and the pattern on it is created with a golden silk thread which makes it very valuable piece. Her katsura is decorated with maezashi that features seasonal flower of march - suisen (daffodil).

Maiko Kikune is wearing subtle green hikizuri with playful plum and sakura blossoms. It is tied with woven bright orange Darari Obi with fan design. Senior Maiko in Miyagawacho start "tying" their obiage as soon as they start wearing Ofuku hairstyle. This is different from Gion Kobu when Maiko start tucking obiage into obi as a sign of preparing for Erikae. Her hairstyle is decorated with seasonal triple hanakanzashi which feature suisen or daffodil. 

Maiko Kikushino's hikizuri for this month features spring and summer flowers and blossoms on a subtle yellow background. The obi is black with geometrical design - a perfect match for this delicate hikizuri! As Junior Maiko, Kikushino isnt tucking her obiage into her obi like Maiko Kikune put ties it upon the obi. This is to emphasize maiko's youthfulness and cuteness. Her hairstyle is wareshinobu and is decorated with Nanohana (rapeseed flower) - another seasonal march flower. Whilst Daffodils are reserved for Senior maiko, Juniors get to wear nanohana, usually with silver butterflies on it.