This week, Komayaka Okiya and Hanafusa Okiya hosted a Baikasai Tea Ceremony in Kyoto Kagai Sim, and it was a lovely reminder of why we continue to hold these seasonal gatherings.
Baikasai (梅花祭), the Plum Blossom Festival, is most famously associated with Kitano Tenmangu Shrine in Kyoto. It marks the blooming of the plum blossoms and honors Sugawara no Michizane. Traditionally, maiko and geiko serve tea beneath the blossoms, welcoming guests to share in the quiet beauty of the season.
To make sure everyone had the chance to attend, two ceremonies were held at different times. Our community spans many time zones, and it meant a lot to see people able to join without having to stay up at impossible hours.
Both ceremonies felt calm and focused. The tea was prepared carefully, the greetings were formal but warm, and there was a real sense of attentiveness from everyone present. The Maiko and Geiko carried themselves with grace, and you could see the effort put into making the experience feel respectful to the tradition we were honoring.
Thank you to everyone who attended and supported Komayaka and Hanafusa Okiya. Events like this may take place in a virtual world, but the dedication behind them is very real. 🌸
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| Photo by Maiko Kikuno |
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| Geiko Toshiha san performing tea cermeony |
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