Mizuekai 2021

On October 30th Miyagawacho Kaburenjo theater opened its doors to those who came to enjoy the annual Mizuekai odori  - autumn dances and poems created by Komayaka and Hanafusa okiya Geiko san and Maiko san.

This year's participants were :

Komayaka Okiya: Geiko Toshiha, Maiko Toshimomo, Maiko Toshiryuu

Hanafusa okiya:  Geiko Kikutsuru, Geiko Kikumaru, Maiko Kikune, Maiko Kikushino, Minarai Kikuyae

Act 1 "The Diary of a Geiko from Miyagawacho"

This dance and story leads us through the years from a teenage girl joined her okiya, the many things that she had to learn choices to make and experiences she had, will she decide to become a Geiko?, or retire as a Maiko.

🍁Written and Choreographed by Geiko Kikutsuru

Act 2 "Manzai Odori"

There is no Mizuekai wothought traditional Manzai odori. Wearing their beautiful trailing kimonos ladies from Hanafusa and Komayaka okiyas perform a dance that depicts the market life

🍁Choreographed by Geiko Toshiha

Act 3 & Act 4 "The sparrows of the Yoshiwara"

Yoshiwara - famous yukaku (red light district) in Edo where people come to fulfill their passions and fantasies. This 2-act kabuki play depicts the life of the courtesans and answers the question why they are sometimes referred to as "the sparrows of the Yoshiwara"

🍁Written by Geiko Kikumaru

Act 5 "Autumn in Kyoto"

Maiko san and Minarai san from Hanafusa and Komayaka okiyas put into words that which makes Autumn special for them

🍁Written and Choreographed by Maiko Kikune, Maiko Kikushino, Maiko Toshimomo, Maiko Toshiryuu and Minarai Kikuyae

Act 6 "Miyagawa kouta"

The Grand Finale of the Mizuekai 2021

🍁Choreographed by Geiko Toshiha

Members of Komayaka and Hanafusa okiyas would like to thank guests, patrons and friends for coming to our Mizuekai 2021. 

"We hope that you have enjoyed our performance as much as we did and we hope to see you next year"

bowing (from left to right): Geiko Kikutsuru, Geiko Toshiha, Geiko Kikumaru
standing (from left to right): Maiko Toshimomo, Maiko Toshiryuu, Maiko Kikune, Maiko Kikushino, Minarai Kikuyae