Minaraia no Kikune

Dear guests and patrons,

It is a pleasure for me to announce the Minarai debut of new minarai Kikune, most of you have known her as Kokoro a shikomi the last six months time. 

Her debut will be held this Friday 15th of April

between 11 and 12 pm slt.

You are welcome to attend and congratulate this new flower on her first step into the world of the Geiko.

Applications open to Hanafusa Okiya

As the Spring the season of rebirth and new beginnings is over us, we are accepting applicants to our okiya. In the hope Spring may be a good time to begin an apprenticeship filled with luck and good weather.

Training process:

• Probation 
• Shikomi
• Minarai
• Junior maiko ( several stages)
• Senior maiko ( several stages)
• Geiko ( 1 - year 5)
• Geiko ( 5 year +)

If you are interested you may contact: 

Atotori Kikutsuru - Miehina resident

(Here's your riksha to Miyagawacho Hanamachi)

Ozashiki in Hanahusa ochaya(Fridath 8th, 11am-12am)

Dear Guests and Patrons of Miyagawacho Hanamachi,
It is with great pleasure to invite you to the springtime ozashiki of Hanahusa ochaya on Friday 8 April 2016. Come and celebrate the breathtaking but short lasting beauty of blooming sakura trees with the shamisen music and the sound of silk sleeves. You'll be offered special Miyagawacho "flying" sake and delicious green tea served by maikos of Hanafusa okiya.
Time of arrival: 11.00 am slt
Departure: 12.00 pm slt
dress code: Semiformal
Hanahusa Ochaya in Miyagawacho Hanamachi

Shikomi Kokoro passed her exam!

Photo by Isoldel san

Dear guests and patrons,

I am honored to announce that today shikomi Kokoro passed her Dance exam and theory. Soon she will be known under a new name… Kiku… have a guess if you like. Her Minarai debut is yet to be announced but i bet it's going to be really soon :)

Omedetou san dosu Kokoro chan!

Your okaasan, oneesan and neesan wish you luck and prosperity and promise to help you on you path of becoming a beautiful flower of Karyukai!

Hanami 2016 at Miyagawacho Hanamachi

Hanami or flower viewing is the Japanese traditional custom of enjoying the transient beauty of springtime flowers. Yesterday Miyagawacho Hanamachi hosted hanami celebrations for its humble patrons.
Our Hanami celebrations involved eating and drinking, and playing and listening to music. Some special dishes were prepared and eaten during that special occasion, like dango and bento. As refreshment maiko-san poured houjicha and sake, as part of the festivity. Also, to entertain guests, Maiko Kikutsuru and Maiko Kikumaru danced  spring dances with fans and sakura branches, while shikomi Kokoro continued to serve refreshments to guests.

Enjoying the kabuki performance with sisters :)

Ladies of Hanafusa okiya on their trip to the CCB kabuki performance in regards of their 1st anniversary. It was amazing and enjoyable performance :)
(sitting from right to left: Atatori Sr Maiko Kikutsuru, Sr Maiko Kikumaru, Jr Maiko Kikuyumi and shikomi Kokoro)

Last ozashiki of March

Enjoying incredible guests during last ozashiki of March. Okasan Kikuyu entertained guests with her skillful play on shamisen while Maiko Maiko Kikutsuru, Maiko Kikumaru and Maiko Kikuyumi served famous Miyagawacho sake along with hot houjicha. Maiko Kikumaru was especially delighted to serve lady Inkmancer-san, famous and talented hikizuri painter.

Shikomi Atsuko

        Watashi no namae wa Atsuko desu

My name is Atsuko. I am 16 years old, born and raised in the small fishing village of Funaya in the Yosa district. My Obāsan (grandmother) was all I had. Sadly she suddenly fell ill last autumn and passed away in December. She left an empty place in my heart that can never be replaced. Obāsan told me exciting stories about the Edo period and the beautiful geisa and maikos living in the okiyas. The culture captivated me. I used to paint my face and dress up as a geisha dreaming away many afternoons in the house of my beloved Obāsan.  Before her death she encouraged me to follow my dream and apply for shikomi. She knew I would be provided for by the Okaasan if I got accepted. In March I started my training as shikomi under the strict guidance of Okaasan Kikuyu at Hanafusa Okiya, Kyoto. During the probation period I am not allowed to leave the hanamachi.  A new journey has begun and I am excited and ridden with fear entering the mysterious 'flower and willow world'.

Hanafusa Okiya training application open

Have you dreamed of becoming a Geiko ?

or maybe you know us as Geisha?

Are you interested in Japanese culture and performing?

Hanafusa Okiya is now open to look at your application!

You will find a application form at the posted that say Hanafusa in the landmark below.

*GMT timezone

For any questions please contact Kikuyuu resident - Okaasan Kikuyu or Miehina resident - Maiko Kikutsuru

Higashiyama Hanatouro in Miyagawacho Hanamachi

Yesterday, Miyagawacho Hanamachi held a very special event called Higashiyama Hanatouro.
Maiko Kikutsuru, Maiko Kikumaru and maiko Kikuyumi presented three elegant Kyo-mai traditional dances to welcome newly arrived Springtime.
Participants: Maiko Kikutsuru(pale blue hikizuri with pinwheels in the waves), Maiko Kikumaru(bright green hikizuri with flower circles, petals and butterflies) and Maiko Kikuyumi(purple hikizuri with plum blossoms bosoms and branches, and small snowflakes)

(All pictures were taken by Isoldel san, owner of IsoMotion)

Happy Hina Matsuri!

Hina Matsuri, or Doll Festival, is a very special event during which families pray for their daughters' happiness, growth, and good health. Hanafusa Okiya isn't an exception! On March 3rd, they had a small, closed celebration inside the family okiya house but on the next day they had big ozashiki, celebrating Hina Matsuri, full of important patrons and clients. In the banquet room Okaasan Kikuyu placed several doll displays so that the guests could admire the beautifully crafted dolls and accesories! After ozashiki everyone gathered for the photo.

"Happy Hina Matsuri!"

Miyagawacho museum event: Febr.21, 10.20 - 11.20am slt

21st of February The Miyagawacho Art and Historical museum will be holding a dance event with geisha apprentices from Hanafusa Okiya. After the dance and poem recital you'll have a rare opportunity to ask them questions about their training. This event is a good time for those who would like to become a regular patron in the future or those who are interested in becoming geisha apprentice.
Here's Your riksha: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Nadine/109/134/28

February Kitsuke

Spring is slowly but firmly talking over Miyagawacho Hanamachi. Although there's still some snow the ground, first spring flowers are starting to peak through the icy white cloak. One by one, all of the Plum trees will soon take over the area with their beautiful flowers and magnificent sweet scent.
Geiko Kikuyu, Maiko Kikutsuru, Maiko Kikumaru and Maiko Kikuyumi of Hanafusa okiya are also preparing for new season(deciding who will wear what during this spring and writing new poems and dances for ozashiki). Shikomi Kokoro helps to take care of beautiful springtime Hikizuri and susohiki - she's really a hard worker. okiya is full of life and rush :) Who knows, maybe this spring will bring a new member in the okiya...

Geiko Kikuyu

Okaasan Kikuyu is wearing beautiful and very expensive pink susohiki, with flower motif on it. The flowers are hand painted by the artisan, who has created truly a piece of art!The pinkish color is to remind us that soon, when the Sakura will start to bloom Winter shall pass away finally. Kikuyu san is also wearing a golden obi to match, which is decorated with gently-painted cranes - symbol of longevity and good luck because it was thought to have a life span of a thousand years.
Everything in her, from her clothes to her character expresses freshness and beauty of Springtime

Sr Maiko Kikutsuru

Maiko Kikutsuru is not only the oldest maiko in Hanafusa Okiya and the atatori(heiress) but she's also a magnificent person and oneesan(older sister, mentor) a maiko can wish for.
For February she is wearing fabulous sweet pink hikizuri with hand-painted flower motif. Her obi different from Kikuyu san's - it is longer(over 7 meters!) and is called darari obi. It has gold an silver woven pattern on it. Her hair is decorated with special kanzashi for older maiko - flower of plum tree. Her obijime(small cord on the obi) is holding very expensive obidome(small brooches worn threaded onto the obijime, making a charming decoration on the front of the obi also its the most expensive object in maiko's outfit).

Sr Maiko Kikumaru

For Maiko Kikumaru this spring is first for her as Sr Maiko. Her Mizuge was on January 29th, right after her birthday. Omedetou Kikumaru san!
For February she decided to wear elaborate red silk hikizuri with waves hand-painter - this hikizuri is multi seasonal( it means it can we worn during whole year). Her amazing darari obi is decorated with woven wave pattern.
Her hairstyle is called Ofuku or ‘split peach’ style and is worn after mizuage In the back of the bun the color is changed to match her changing of age. For now she's wearing red meaning she's new sr Maiko. Her hair is decorated with triple plum blossom kanzashi, similar to onew worn by Kikutsuru san.
In her hand she's holding sakura brunches, which represent the coming of spring time.

Jr Maiko Kikuyumi

Jr Maiko Kikuyumi has debuted last year in November, so she still is "new" in the kagai. She has worked as a maiko less than a year so she is painting only her lower lip and is wearing plum blossom kanzashi with shidare(long chains of silk flowers). She looks so young and fresh, truly she's little spring flower.
Little Yumi chan is really lucky - for now she's the only jr Maiko in the okiya so she can choose from a big variety of hikizuri :)
Hikizuri worn by Maiko Kikuyumi has a soft pretty hikizuri with little colorful plum blossoms on it. She's the first maiko to wear this hikizuri, a great honor!
Her Obi is decorated with marvelous woven golden ornaments, that really suits the plum flowers on the hikizuri.

Setsubun 2016 coming soon!

Setsubun is the day preceding risshun that is the first day of spring according to the old Japanese calenda On the day of Setsubun, there is the custom of throwing roasted soybeans while chanting “In with Fortune! Out with Evil” in order to prevent evil ogres from entering one’s house. if you eat the same number of beans as your age you will have a year of good health! Itadakimasu!!

Date: February 5th
Hour: 4am-5amslt AND 9am-10.30am slt

Everyone is welcome, especially those interested in Japanese traditional culture ^^

January Kitsuke

Little snowflakes slowly dancing the sky, fall on maiko san, that are hurrying to their appointments. Although it is middle of winter, there is no time for them to sit in warm okiya - they are to dance, sing and entertain most important guests and patrons. They are to remind through their art that although it is cold and icy winter, soon shall spring come and the winter will become only a memory

Geiko Kikuyu

Geiko Kikuyu is wearing marvelous black susohiki with multi seasonal  motif on it. Her 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^_^

Sr Maiko Kikutsuru

Senior Maiko Kikutsuru's blue hikizuri is to show us that winter is in its peak - her hikizuri has hand painted peony flowers(a winter fower). Peony is the symbol wealth, high honour (nobility) and ageless beauty. They also embody romance and love, and are regarded as the omen of good fortune. Peony is known as the ‘King of the Flowers’.

Her eri is white with woven seasonal pattern BUT it has red gasp on the back. Her darari is woven, with geometrical golden motif on it.

Hairstyle of Maiko Kikutsuru is called Ofuku(special hairstyle that maiko start wearing after they become senior) and is decorated with special January kanzashi.

Sr Maiko Kikumaru

For January Kikumaru san is wearing black hikizuri, made in shibori style(shibori is a Japanese tie-dying technique, using a variety of techniques in different shapes to make different patterns. Shibori technique dates from the 8th century. Amazing!).

Her obi is green with golden sayagata motif. Sayagata is a kind of geometric design with a series of fylfot patterns. The fylfot pattern has taken root as a map symbol which stands for Buddhist temples in Japan. It is a classical pictogram which came from the shape of Hindu God of love Vishnu’s chest hair, and it stands for a good omen and virtue.

Jr Maiko Kikuyumi

Kikuyumi san, the third maiko in Hanafusa okiya, is wearing dark shibori hikizuri, that shows butterflies flying around. Created by a famous kimono artist, this amazing hikizuri looks like a true work of art.

It is hold by the green obi with golden bamboo on it.

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 January kanzashi that have auspicious Japanese New Year theme - a combination of pine, bamboo and plum blossoms.