November Kitsuke

山紅葉入日を空へ返す哉

yama momiji irihi wo sora e kaesu kana

mountain's red leaves

the setting sun returns

to the sky

(Haiku by Kobayashi Issa (1763-1827))

Geiko Kikutsuru

For November Geiko Kikutsuru has chosen solid beige kimono with a matsu(pine) design. Perfect kimono for autumn! Her obi is eye catching as it features golden and white waves on the bright orange background. Obiage and obijime are of red color and go well with the kimono's lyning.

Geiko Kikumaru

Geiko Kikumaru's semiformal outfit for November features waves on the beige background. You can see that kimono has waves hitting the rock design. Her hairstyle is a wig actually, decorated with momiji maezashi at the front, a comb and seasonal tama at the back.

Maiko Kikune

The most senior Maiko in Hanafusa okiya, Maiko Kikune, has stepped into the last stage of being a Maiko - the Sakkou stage. From nd of November 6th till mid around of December you can spot her wearing Sakkou hairstyle and formal kuromontsuki kimono. This signifies that she will continue to be an active member of the Second life Karyukai, which is a good thing as nowadays there are only several active geiko around (3 of which come from the same okiya: Geiko Kikuyu, Geiko Kikutsuru and Geiko Kikutsuru and 1 from the Komayaka okiya - Toshiha kaasan). There is a special post about Maiko Kikune's style worn during the Sakkou stage.

Maiko Kikushino

Maiko Kikushino is wearing delicate white hikizuri with momiji leaf design. It is tied exquisite obi that has black and orange stripes and a shamisen. Shamisnen is the most popular music instrument in the kagai. Some maiko or geiko can play the koto but all of them can play shaimsen.

In her hair she has colorful triple momiji hanakanzashi, kushi comb and a petite maiugi (dance fan) maezashi pin

Minarai Kikuyae

Most colorful of all bunch, Minarai Kikuyae chan is wearing beautiful solid blue hikizuri with a bamboo leaf and clams design. If you look closely onto the clams, you'll see red momiji and hexagons painted inside. Her obi is green and has a gold design. Seasonal kanzashi for Minarai and Junior Maiko's san are most eye-catching as they feature many elements such as small flowers or leaves.