Maiko Kikune is now wearing Yakko Shimada!

On October 9th Maiko Kikune started wearing Yakko Shimada, which means that she is on her way to become Geiko san. This is super news as there have been little women who debuted as geiko in the Second Life Karyukai and even less maiko who decided to continue on and become ones. Hanafusa okiya has a very good record of Maiko who decided to become Geiko: in 2018 it has been Kikune's oneesan, Kikutsuru san, who had her erikae and in 2019 Kikumaru san had hers. 

It has been almost 6 years since Kikune san entered Hanafusa okiya - she was officially accepted as shikomi on December 6th 2015 and debuted as maiko under Kikutsuru san on July 15th 2016. A long way! Now let's have a look at her kitsuke as it is definitely worth a fortune.

Hairstyle: This stage is often called "yakko shimada" because of the hairstyle worn. As you already know senior maiko wear yakko shimada during formal events but they also wear it during the period before switching to the last hairstyle of a maiko - Sakkou. 

Kanzashi: The Daikan or front hanakanzashi should be auspicious, that's why most of the maiko choose to wear ones that feature pine, crane/heron, golden or silver pine needles etc. Basically the motif must be auspicious. Maiko Kikune has decided to wear a beautiful matsu(pine tree). In Japan, pine tree motif represents longevity, virtue and youth.

The small maezashi on the left consists of precious stones and again is used for only special occasions. The comb is made of bekkou (tortoiseshell) and is a relic of the Okiya while the hairpin at the back, also made of bekkou, is a gift from her oneesan.

Kimono and Obi: Hikizuri that is worn by Maiko Kikune was custom made for her. It has matsu, kumo (cloud) and tsuru(crane) design. Truly masterpiece! The color of this hikizuri is dark purple. You can notice the mon(crest) of Hanafusa okiya on the sleeves and chest. 

The obi is light and the pattern on it is created with a golden silk thread which makes it very valuable piece. At the bottom you can spot the crest of the okiya Kikune san is from. As the Kimono has crests the Juban(underskirt) must be formal too - the one worn by Kikune san has golden squares and matsu pine needles.

Footwear: As all Maiko, Kikune san is wearing Okobo as soon she will have to put them aside and switch to more comfortable zouri or geta. which are worn by Geiko.

Amazing news! Rumors have been true!

 Yes, the rumors have been true and we finally can confirm that  Maiko Kikune of Hanafusa okiya, imouto of Geiko Kikutsuru, will soon become Geiko. She has officially started styling her hair in yakko shimada on Saturday 9th of October 2021. This initiates her Pre sakkou stage and it is expected that within the start of this Winter, whole Kyoto Kagai sim and Hanafusa okiya and will celebrate her transition from maiko to geiko. 

We welcome everyone to witness the final months of Maiko Kikune as Maiko during the ozashiki and public performances that will take place this month. Please feel free to come with friends and family to witness the birth of a newest Geiko of Second life :)

Grand opening of Ichiriki tei tea house at Kyoto Kagai sim

 Dear friends and patrons,

We sincerely invite you to the Grand opening of Ichiriki tei ochaya. The most famous RL teahouse is now also located in SL at Kyoto Kagai sim. To mark this special event, Kyoto Kagai Geiko and Maiko are holding a full fledged Japanese tea ceremony (chanoyu) and after the chanoyu - a celebrational ozashiki with games, performances and delicious Kyoto Kaiseki cuisine.

🍁 Grand Opening of the Ichirikitei [Ozashiki & Tea Ceremony] お座敷と茶道 

🍁 Saturday, Oct 9th - 10 am  9日(土曜日 )午前10時 ​Ichirikitei [Ichiriki Chaya]    一力亭

🍁 LM:  http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Kyoto/122/178/3

October kitsuke

Autumn has fully conquered Kyoto Kagai sim - the trees are now dressed in beautiful brocade of red and orange while grasses have turned into yellowish hay. Thins month Maiko and and Geiko from Hanafusa okiya, together with members of Komayaka okiya, will hold annual autumn dance - Mizuekai as well the grand opening of the Ichirikitei teahouse and of course the weekly events. Kyoto Kagai is bustling with life! Only chrysanthemums, symbols of October, are quietly reigning in gardens and parks 

Geiko Kikutsuru

Geiko Kikutsuru this month has chosen a solid purple semiformal kimono with bamboo and decorative clouds - the pattern is located under the waist line and is a perfect autumn design for a Geiko. 

It is tied with light silver obi, that was woven maple tree branch. 

Obiage and obijime are of red color and look amazing with the kimono and obi.

The juban is light pink and if you look closely you will see white Momiji leaves

Her katsura is decorated with golden maezashi chrysantemum - a symbol of october as well as her okiya. 1st part of every members in Hanafusa okiya starts with "Kiku" which means chrysantemum so October is kind of the month of Hanafusa okiya :)

Geiko Kikumaru

Geiko Kikumaru is wearing dlicate pink kimono with flowers on uchiwa (summer fan) and a river design. Kawa(river) or winding stream represents continuity and the future. It also has a cooling affect on the viewer. Uchiwa with peonies, chrysanthemums, momiji and other plants and flowers is more of combined design, that can be worn from late spring till autumn. 

The grey obi with black geometrical pattern goes well with the kimono and is tied in a taiko musubi knot.

Her hair is decorated with small yellow chrysantemum hairpin, that is flower symbol of October. Chrysantemum flower is one of the few flowers today that is instantly recognized not only as autumn motif in Japan but also an auspicious motif, therefore many bridal wear and furisode have chrysanthemums.

Maiko Kikune

Maiko Kikune is wearing a solid green hikizuri with flowery design. You can clearly see branches with chrysanthemums and ume(plum blossoms). Hanafusa okiya also has a sister kimono of this piece, witch is specially made for Geiko san. 

Maiko san wear juban of a red color whist geiko wear pink, but when 

In her hair she has colorful single Chrysanthemum hanakanzashi, kushi comb and a petite maezashi pin. Ofuku is the hairstyle worn by Senior Maiko and is created once a week by the skilled hairdressed. During this time Maiko sleep on the wooden pillows known as "takamakura". At the back you can notice the change - the Tama hairpin is now featuring Coral ball, not summery Jade.

In her hands she is holding a kago handbag that has kanji with her name embroidered on it.

Maiko Kikushino

Maiko Kikushino is wearing solid pink hikizuri with Chrysanthemum and Bell flower hand painted on the precious silk.

It is tied with obi that has crane motif on it. This piece is considered rather multi seasonal and you can wear it anytime during the year. 

The juban Kikushino san is wearing has waterflow and momiji leaves.

In her hair you can see colorful single chrysanthemum hanakanzashi, flowerbridge and a petit chrysanthemum maezashi pin. As she is now senior maiko, 

On her feet she has high okobo with pink stripes, which symbolize her now senior status.

Tabi, work 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.

Minarai Kikuyae

In December you can spot Kikuyae 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 the autumn scenery.

Seasonal kanzashi for the youngest member  are always most eye-catching as they feature dangling elements and many smaller flowers

* Minarai(literary "watch and learn", "learn by watching") is a short stage before debut as maiko. Young Minarai visits ozashiki with her older sister and observes the work of her oneesan. In miyagawacho, after 2 weeks from the minaraia maiko starts wearing hikizuri, kanzashi and obi of jr maiko