Odori no Fuyu

Sunday 15th of February Two maikos of Hanafusa okiya will be performing a last Winter odori for this Winter. A tragic love story is the centre piece.
Bring your loved once, your family or your friends and come and enjoy a nice evening with Japanese dance.
9 am slt - 10 am slt
Pictures may be taken with Maikos after performances if wished for.
Dress code - as you would go to the theater in ^^

Obake Ozashiki in Hanahusa ochaya

“Obake” is like Japanese Halloween. This custom is now confined mainly to the geisha districts, where geisha go from tea house to tea house and perform a skit while dressed in outrageous costumes. One of the rules of Obake is that things are topsy-turvey. Old dress as young, men dress and women and vice-versa.
This years obake ozashiki in Miyagawacho was themed with a magic story about a kitsune and old but wise lady^
Shamisen - Geiko Kikuyu

Old Lady - Maiko Kikutsuru

Kitsune - Maiko Kikumaru

Happy Birthday Kikutsuru san^_^

Today it's birthday of Kikutsuru san, senior maiko and the atatori of Hanafusa okiya :)

Ozashiki memories

Today we had very nice private ozashiki at Hanahusa ochaya where I, Maiko Kikumaru, and my oneesan, Maiko Kikutsuru entertained guests with polite conversations, togather with delicious matcha with kyoto kaiseki. In the end of ozashiki Sr Maiko Kikutsuru danced a beautiful dance ^^

* Ozashiki(or ochaya asobi). Zashiki is a traditional, formal Japanese room, asobi means pleasure or play, and an ochaya is a teahouse where maiko and geiko work. Such entertainment includes traditional dances, games and cultural conversation. Also best Kyoto food(kaiseki) is provided.

  

First ozashiki of the year!

First ozashiki of the year are always very special as if everything during it goes good, all other ozashiki of the year will same good. As i could see, this ozashiki went just wonderful, so Hanahusa ochaya is supposed to have very prosperous ozashiki in 2015

January Kitsuke

"Although its cold and icy January, Maiko and Geiko of Hanafusa okiya continue to bring spring warmth to hearts of citizens and guests in Miyagawacho Hanamachi"

Geiko Kikuyu

  

Geiko Kikuyu is wearing marvelous black susohiki with golden maioughi and bamboo grass motif on it. The eri(collar) is white, and is the symbol of pureness, femininity and maturity.
Her obi fits well to her hikizuri as it has golden woven geometrical pattern on it.
Her katsura(wig) is decorated with a special hair pin, with un-husked rice ears and a little eyeless white dove. This is very special new year hairpin -  maiko or geiko fill in one eye and ask guest/very special person they like to draw the other for good luck in the coming year^_^

Maiko Kikutsuru

 

Senior Maiko Kikutsuru's pink hikizuri is for us like a reminder that winter will soon leave the realm when a first  ume flower starts to bloom. Her eri is white with woven seasonal pattern BUT it has rad gasp on the back.
Her darari obi is about 7 meters long! and decorated with carefully painted flowers on the dark background.
Hairstyle of Maiko Kikutsuru is called Ofuku(special hairstyle that maiko start wearing after they become senior) and is decorated with special January kazashi.
On her feet she has special footwear called okobo, that is worn only by maiko. Now, the straps on the okobo, called hanao, are very specific in color - every time sr maiko attends next step of her career, she has to wear different one, while jr maiko wear only red colored straps.

Maiko Kikumaru 

  

Jr Maiko Kikumaru is wearing a beautiful hikizuri with a crane motif on beige background. As i said before, crane in Japanese culture is said to bring luck and prosperity, and is a popular motif on kimono. As you can see, her hikizuri has more elements than her oneesan, Maiko Kikutsuru, has. It is another way to notice that Maiko Kikumaru is younger. Her eri is also different - some white droppings of woven flowers on the red background symbolizes that she's still a "baby".
The darari obi has golden woven winter pattern. It goes really nice with the hikizuri!
Her hairstyle is called Wareshinobu and is decorated with special seasonal kanzashi.
Kago is red, with Maiko Kikumaru's name sewn on it. This special kago was given as a present on the day of her Misedashi.
As Maiko Kikutsuru, Maiko Kikumaru is wearing high okobo but with red stripes.

Maiko Kikuno

   

Jr Maiko Kikuno is still very young so her blue hikizuri has richly painted flowers on it. Blue is also a color which represents not only purity and cleanliness in traditional Japanese culture, but also represents calmness and stability. This color is said to be very feminine. Her eri is decorated with woven cranes on the red background. The obijime(traditional little rope on the obi) is holding a beautiful pochirri(special kimono brouch).
The darari obi of this young maiko has a dyed crane pattern on the golden background and it makes a nice contrast with the hikizuri.
As she is still Jr Maiko, her hairtyle is Wareshinobu - same as her neesan's Maiko Kikumaru's. The kanzashi are seasonal.
You may wonder why Maiko Kikuno has only one lip painted while Maiko Kikumaru and Maiko Kikutsuru have both? Well, this is a special tradition that maiko that works less than a year paints only one lip. Its the symbol that is still a "baby".

Shigyoshiki

Here's you riksha: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Nadine/121/126/28

Happy Holidays from Hanafusa okiya!

Photo by Isoldel san

December Kitsuke

"As December comes and snow is gently coloring the landscapes in colors of white, the cold winter wind, that lives in the bamboo forest, starts his heart-freezing song"

Geiko Kikuyu

 

 Okaasan Kikuyu is wearing dark susohiki with amazing dyed pattern, that is worn mostly in the end of Autumn and the beginning of winter. Its design is very beautiful and has taken several months and most talented artists skills! The flying cranes( hand-painted of course)can symbolize the winter, that is brought on their wings. Also cranes are symbolizing future Winter Celebrations.
Her golden obi is an amazing piece , decorated with beautiful flying crane pattern. It is tied in taiko musubi knot("drum knot" as musubi means knot or tie).
Her kago is pink and goes well to the susohiki.
Her katsura(wig) is decorates with small but very stylish hairpin, that is also the mon of Hanafusa okiya

Maiko Kikutsuru

 

Maiko Kikutsuru, the atatori of Hanafusa okiya, this December is wearing rare and very beautiful hikizuri. It has common men, women and children from old Japan, hand painted on it- what a sight! They look like real! There are also pine trees, that a very specific winter motif.
Her kago is pink and goes nicely with the kimono, and is creating a warm look. She actually can melt snow using only her sight ^^
Sr Maiko hairstyle(worn now by Kikutsuru san) is called Ofuku, and is decorated with special December kanzashi, that feature bamboo leaves and special two maneki(tiny blank tags).

Maiko Kikumaru

 

Kikumaru san, the second maiko in Hanafusa okiya, is wearing dark hikizuri, that shows nostalgia for Autumn. Created by a famous kimono artist, this amazing hikizuri looks like a true work of art.
As she is still Jr Maiko, her hairstyle is Wareshinobu (easily recognizable due to the two strips of red silk ribbon called kanoko, that has been woven through the mage ("bun"), and visible through the hair on the top and bottom section). Her hair is decorated with special December kazashi, that feature colorful assortment of lucky charms and two two maneki(tiny blank tags), which will be autographed by her 2 favorite Kabuki actors during Kaomise Soken.
* Kaomise soken - During the first week of December maiko visit the Minamiza theater and have the tags of the maneki kanzashi signed by their favourite kabuki actors.

Maiko Kikuno

Coming soon:)

Miyagawacho New year Fair

Konichiwa dear readers and friends of the blog^^

I would like to invite you to join in on Miyagawacho Hanamachis New years fair It takes place in January 2015 - Between 12th and 28th)

Miyagawacho Hanamachi is a Japanese district located in Kyoto - This is a up to date sim, which means that it is not restricted to a certain time era but we follow the times as in rl, this is not primarily a roleplay sim, and despite it being Japanese both Japanese and non Japanese stores are permitted displayed on the sim, there is also no strictly Japanese dress code ( as long as moderate dress rules are kept because of the sim rating)
The sim offers various gardens for relaxing and pictures, and we regular have activities such as Fairs, Japanese teahouse parties and performances.

The New year fair is a good way to start the new year and welcome the next. There is no fee for you to participate in it. There Alongside a gacha machine you are welcome to display 1 - 2 items as a buy now item not in a gacha machine, this is your own choice. The Gacha machine should not have been used in any other event earlier or from a store. and the items should display 50/50 new -old, or 100% new ( if you display 2 buy it now items one can be an old creation but one must be a new, if you display one item it has to be new.)

> Name of store
> full sl name( not display name)
> Do you already got a gacha machine you can use?
>Do you understand that due too the theme of the sim adult material will not be permitted?

Please return this notecard for Kikuyuu resident
By doing so you agree too participate in the Miyagawacho New years Fair "Gacha" event
It last 2 weeks in January month (12th of January 2015 - 28th of January 2015)
If you have any questions contact Kikuyuu resident

If you before the event understand you can not participate after all please leave a notecard for Kikuyuu resident - thank you

I look forward in having your store Represented in our fair :)

**list of themes**

Winter Fun
Farewell Christmas
New year Items
Japanese Winter
Welcome Spring ( in Kyoto Japan the Spring arrives in February with its pink and soft colors )

"examples within themes can be: Food, Clothing, Furnitures, Skins, Hairs,Architectures, Garden equipment or landscaping,Poses"

Max Pull prices - 75 Lindens
Minimum Pull prices - 25 Lindens

Minimum Commons - 6
Minimum rares - 1

Max Commons - 14
Max rares - 3

Max prims of your stand will be 25 prims

Date when you put down your machine - Between January 10th and January 14th
Opening date January 12th
Closing Date January 28th
                                         

Take a riksha to Miyagawacho Hanamachi Fair

Kikuyuu resident.

Kikuno-chan has passed the exam!

I'm honored today to announce that Kikuno-chan had her exam today. It was not easy at all but she had studied hard and passed it! Next week she will debut as Maiko. 

Omedetou san dosu Okaasan on the success of your neechan!

Omedetou san dosu Kikutsuru san on the success of your imouto!

Omedetou san dosu Kikumaru san on the success of your neechan!

Omedetou san dosu Kikuno-san on the day you have started a new path!

November Kitsuke

Geiko Kikuyu

  

Okaasan Kikuyu is wearing a magnificent susohiki with eye-catching design - leaves on a branch are dyed boldly, a traditional autumn motif. For its creation the best and most expensive silks were used. 

Her golden obi is decorated with flying cranes, that are Japanese symbols of longevity and good luck and are always referred to as “the birds of happiness”. Over time, cranes have also evolved as a favorite subject of the tradition of paper folding – origami. It is said that a thousand folded cranes, one for each year of its life, makes a wish come true.

In her left hand she's holding gorgeous kago, made of chirimen silk, with a beautiful pink color background. Basket base is made of painted bamboo sticks. All is handmade by Kyoto's best craftsman. 

The whole ensemble looks very elegant on her!

Maiko Kikutsuru

 

Maiko Kikutsuru is wearing black hikizuri .What an APPEALING design it has! It has captivating pattern of tiger, crouching though the forest and bamboo leaves; the pattern is dyed elaborately. The tiger symbol has been used for many different purposes - here it is thought to be the symbol to ward off evil. According to Japanese tradition if you see a tiger in a dream it denotes the coming of a new power your way. 

Textile is exquisite silk and has soft and comfortable touch.

Her Collar(han-eri) is white with red part on the back and it shows us that she is senior Maiko.
The Darari obi (very long sash, worn by maiko - can be 600 centimeters) and has feathers and bamboo leaves on it. You may notice that it has a crest (mon) on the bottom - this is the crest of the okiya that own the maiko obi.
In her hands she's holding kago, with paulownia flower pattern on a smooth pink background.

Maiko Kikumaru

Maiko Kikumaru has become ichinmae maiko(2nd year maiko) this month - she has cut the shidare from her kanzashi and from now on she will be painting her upper lip.

 

 Maiko Kikumaru is wearing hikizuri of warm red color. This piece has charming design on it - many multi seasonal motifs such as pine and bamboo as well as flowers in golden motifs, which are dyed on the deep colored background. Textile is exquisite glossy silk. 

As you can see, her eri(collar) is red with some white embroidery - that means she is still a junior maiko.

Her lovely darari obi is golden with beautiful woven pattern and had cost okiya a whole fortune!

Her kago is green, with kingyo(goldfish) charm on it. Throughout the ages, goldfish is considered the harbinger of prosperity, growth, wealth, long life, wisdom and peace. As one of the 8 sacred symbols of Buddha, goldfish are symbols of abundance and harmony in life. 

Minarai Kikuno

  

Young Kikuno, who has become minarai in October under the wing of Maiko Kikutsuru, is now wearing maiko hikizuri. The vivid colors are eye-catchy and gold glazing adds elegance to it. The pattern is multi seasonal. 

Textile is exquisite silk and has soft touch. 

Kikuno-san is wearing the twin-obi of the one, that is now worn by Maiko Kikumaru.Her eri(collar) has crane embroidery on it. Let it bring her good luck in her career!
As she is very young she is applying lipstick only on her lower lip - to show that she is still a "baby".
Kikuno-chan's kago is smaller than her older sisters' but it really suits her petitness.

Photos : Maiko Kikutsuru

Okaasan Geiko Kikuyu

Geiko no Kikuyu Dosu_.*
Okaasan of Hanafusa Okiya_.*

Dedicated to the art of the floating world, to ensure good entertainment for anyone who would dedicate themselves as a patron. And to be a good role model to teach dedicated girls on the path to become Geiko.

Hanamachi - Miyagawacho 宮川町花街 

Okiya - Hanafusa 置屋

Rank -  Geiko 芸子

Role - Okaasan - Sensei

Imouto - Kikutsuru - 菊つる

Oneesan - Retired Geiko Kikuryu

Photo's of Okaasan Geiko Kikuyu:

  

Geiko Kikutsuru

               ════════.❀.═════════

Watashi  no namae wa Kikutsuru desu

════════.❀.═════════   

I am a Geiko and the Okaasan of Hanafusa okiya in Miyagawacho Hanamachi. I am fortunate to have Geiko Kikuyu as my oneesan.

I was born at the outside of Kyoto city
in the nearness of Arayashima
My family named me Miehina  meaning beautiful doll and to become a geiko would seem to be my fate rather then going to school. I had 3 aunts with the title of geiko and my mother was a retired Inoue school teacher and geiko...
Hence from a early age I was trained in the arts that I one day would master..
I were with okiyas but did never find them to fit me well... But coming to Miyagawacho meeting Okaasan she was strict but fair kind and had time to listen to me and give me advice as weather to become a geiko or not.
I came to the conclusion that I wished to give it another try..
Being fairly older by some years then my sisters I found myself suddenly at the lowest rank in the okiya... A role I think will help me become a better geiko some day.

Yoroshiku otano moshimasu^_^

Geiko Kikumaru

.♥.════════════════════════

Watashi no namae wa Kikumaru desu

* * *

I am Geiko at Hanafusa okiya in Miyagawacho Hanamachi.

My oneesan is Geiko Kikutsuru, who has taken me under her wing.

Geiko Kikuyu is my humble okaasan and if you have any complaints or compliments regarding my behaviour please direct them to her 

ookini san dosu.

═════════════════════════ .♥.

                           
Before i became maiko Kikumaru i was known as Katsumi, meaning victorious beauty. I was born in a town called Yamagato in the Tohoku region. Here all the story begins....
My father, Kiyoshi Kawaguchi, is kimono artist and holds a small shop. I used to see him painting hikizuri and susohiki even for Kyoto maiko and geiko.
My mother, Ayako Kawaguchi, was geiko in Pontocho and was said to be a very good dancer. She did leave the profession after marrying my father but she didn't loose her talent as she continued to dance for her children...
Its all thanks to her i have decided to leave my small town and try to become an apprentice geiko. I have seen many okiya on my way, old and new, but when i came to Hanafusa Okiya i understood, that here's the place i was looking for, here is the place where i will leave my heart and soul...