New Shikomi at Hanafusa okiya - Miharu chan

Shikomi Miharu(photo by her)

Dear readers of Hanafusa okiya blog,

I'm happy to announce that Okaasan Kikuyu has accepted a new trainee. Her name is Miharu chan.She has already started her training and she did help her sisters during the Setsubun 2017 celebrations by welcoming patrons and guests and helping them with their seats.

Lets all together wish her good luck on the path she has chosen!

Setsubun 2017 at Yasaka Jinja

Setsubun is the day preceding risshun that is the first day of spring according to the old Japanese calendar. On the day of Setsubun, many celebrations are held. Especially in Kyoto Kagai SL. Maiko san and Geiko san of Hanafusa okiya, dressed in their formal attire, danced sacred dances on the stage of the Yasaka Jinja shrine. After the dance, they participated in ancient auspicious custom of throwing roasted soybeans. While throwing they chanted: “In with Fortune! Out with Evil” in order to prevent evil ogres from entering the houses of tge guests and patrons of the Kyoto Kagai.

P.S. if you eat the same number of beans as your age you will have a year of good health! Itadakimasu!!

Participants: Okasan Kikuyu, Sr Maiko Kikutsuru, Sr Maiko Kikumaru, Jr Maiko Kikune, Jr Maiko Kikuyae abd our new shikomi Miharu(it was her first Setsubun, omedetou neechan!)

Photos: Jr Maiko Kikuyae

Hanafusa Okiya family togather with new member - Shikomi Miharu(pink kimono)

Posing for the poster....

Jr Maiko Kikuyae(left) and Sr Maiko Kikumaru(Right). Kikumaru san is oneesan and mentor of Maiko Kikuyae san

Setsubun 2017 in Yasaka Jinja(Kyoto Kagai sim) Poster. Made by Maiko Kikuyae

Shikomi Miharu(left), Jr Maiko Kikuyae(center) and Sr Maiko Kikumaru(right)

Sr Maiko Kikutsuru(left) and Okaasan Kikuyu(right). Geiko Kikuyu is oneesan of Maiko Kikutsuru

Okaasan Kikuyu and Jr Maiko Kikune

Setsubun 2017 at Kyoto Kagai

Come and experience formally dressed Maiko perform in the Pavillion of Yasaka Jinja. After the performance you will be able to catch some of the beans the maiko throw out. remember eat 1 for every year you have on your back maybe an extra for good measure? 

> Touch to get rikshaw to the event < 

Date - 4th of February

Time - 12pm slt

Event - Performance style - Setsubun

Duration - 45 minutes

Shigyoshiki Kitsuke of Hanafusa okiya memebers

"Shigyoshiki" refers to the beginning of a new year in Kyoto's five hanamachi or "flower towns". Wearing black formal kimono, called Kuromontsuki, the Geiko and Maiko of the neighborhood renew their vows and visit the local ochaya(teahouses) and important patrons to wish the beginning of a prosperous new year.

After the important visits were made, members of Hanafusa okiya approached the Miyagawacho Kaburenjo to attend an awards ceremony that is part of Shigyoshiki. Since this year Shigyoshiki was held on a Saturday, even more guests than usual showed up to photograph and overview the most important ceremony of new 2017 year.

Okaasan Geiko Kikuyu 

Senior Maiko Kikutsuru

Senior Maiko Kikumaru

Junior Maiko Kikune

Junior Maiko Kikuyae

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 Kyoto Kagai sim"

Geiko Kikuyu

Geiko Kikuyu is wearing marvelous black susohiki with crane and wine leaves 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 with crane motif, that is to bring luck for the owner.
Her katsura(wig) is decorated with small but very stylish hairpin, that is also the mon of Hanafusa okiya

Senior  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 red gasp on the back.

Her darari obi is about 7 meters long! and decorated with carefully sewn crane pattern on the white 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. At the moment Maiko Kiktsuru is on her last year of being Maiko(she's Yoninmae Maiko), thats why her straps are green.

Senior Maiko Kikumaru

Maiko Kikumaru is 2nd oldest maiko of Hanafusa okiya.

For February she is wearing fabulous sweet pink hikizuri with hand-painted flower motif. Her obi has gold an silver woven pattern on it. Her hair is decorated with special kanzashi for older maiko. 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).

Junior Maiko Kikune

For January Maiko Kikune san is wearing white and red 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!). As you can see, her hikizuri has more elements than her oneesan, Maiko Kikutsuru has. It is another way to notice that Maiko Kikune is younger. Her eri is also different - some white droppings of woven flowers on the red background symbolizes that she's still a "baby". Also she paints only her lower lip.
The darari obi has green and gold woven 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 Kikune's name sewn on it. This special kago was given as a present on the day of her Misedashi.
As Junior Maiko, Maiko Kikune is wearing high okobo but with red stripes.

Junior Maiko Kikuyae

Jr Maiko Kikuyae 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 Yae chan is really lucky  she can choose from a big variety of hikizuri :)
Hikizuri worn by Maiko Kikuyae has a soft pretty hikizuri with little colorful plum blossoms on it.
Her Obi is decorated with marvelous woven golden ornaments, that really suits the plum flowers on the hikizuri. As Junior Maiko, Maiko Kikuyae, as is her neesan Maiko Kikune, is wearing high okobo but with red stripes.

Mizuekai 2016

We have the pleasure of inviting you to our annual Fall Performance this coming Saturday! ( 22 of October 11 am slt) our performance will be held in 6 acts, 3 dance acts, 3 theatrical acts.

Performers:

Maiko:
Kikutsuru, Kikumaru, Kikune
Minarai:
Kikushino, Kikuyae

Here's your riksha:
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Mineko/201/84/24

September Kitsuke

Okaasan Geiko Kikuyu

For this last summer month, geiko Kikuyu has chosen amazing subtle susohiki, decorated with hand painted autumn leafs, several chrysanthemum flowers and, most important for a geiko, maioughi(dancing fans). Chrysanthemums and falling leaves are the reminded for us that autumn is coming to our doorstep and soon will be taking over out Kyoto Kagai sim. The pattern of her woven Obi is called Hakata and suits the susohiki well.
Her gorgeous katsura is decorated with simple but perfect small maezashi hairpin.
*  Susohiki is usually worn by geiko or by stage performers of the traditional Japanese dance. Susohiki literally means "trail the skirt". It is quite long, compared to regular kimono, because the skirt is supposed to trail along the floor. As geiko walks, her trailing skirt reminds us of a beautiful tail of a goldfish.

Senior Maiko Kikutsuru

Sr Maiko Kikutsuru has chosen beautiful purple hikizuri with falling leafs pattern. Leafs are not autumn-like orange or red, they are summer green, but they are falling and reminding us that soon seasons will change.
Her darari obi is dark and has a painted fans woven pattern - the one who has created this obi has created truly a masterpiece.
Her hairstyle is called Ofuku(Sr maiko Hairstyle). Once a week(most commonly) maiko goes to the hairdresser to have her hair done. After that, Maiko are not permitted to wash their hair and also have to sleep on a special ”Wooden Pillow” for an entire week as not to destroy their elaborate hairstyle.

Senior Maiko Kikumaru

Sr Maiko Kikumaru decided to wear a beautiful hikizuri with gradation between white and navy blue, accompanied by  weeping willow, falling leaves, chrysanthemums and flow hand painted motifs.
Textile, used for creating this masterpiece, is exquisite soft silk.
The darari obi is longer than the one worn by Geiko Kikuyu; it is also tied in a special knot, worn only by maiko san. The one worn by Kikumaru san has geometrical motif.
Her hairstyle is called Ofuku and is only used by senior maiko san. Seasonal kanzashi decorate her hair - as you later will notice, If you look attentively on the picture of Kikumaru san and than on the picture of Kikune san, you will notice that Sr maiko use different kanzashi from the ones used by Junior maiko and minarai. Sr  Maiko dont use dangling kanzashi and flower bridge combs.

Junior Maiko Kikune

For September, Maiko Kikune decided to wear a stunning hikizuri with subtle purple background with flow pattern motif. If you look closely, you can see orange maple leafs and different types of flowers, taken away by the flow. I believe that by this, kimono painted wanted to remind us that everything changes, and anything can be taken away by the flow of time...
Her obi is woves and was created by same kimono artist.
As Kikune chan is still a junior maiko, her hairstyle is wareshinobu(worn not only by jr Maiko but also by minarai), decorated with seasonal kanzashi. Also, because she's only on her first rank as maiko("Haninmae maiko").Also Kikune chan has to wear dangling type kanzashi
and  is allowed ONLY to paint her lower lip(its a tradition, signifying that she's still a "baby").

Minarai Kikushino

Minarai Kikushino is wearing cute hikizuri with beautiful purple background and summertime flowers, such as Kikyou(bell flower), hand-painted by talented kimono artist. Her obi is woven and fits the hikizuri beautifully.
Her hairstyle is called wareshinobu and is decorated with season kanzashi. How are the kanzashi chosen? Well, they are all monthly. For example, Bell flower or in Japanese kikyou is the flower of September and this means that all kanzashi of maiko san during this month will be bellsflowers. They will look differently due to wanks but the motif flower will be the same.

Minarai Kikuyae

Not long ago, Minarai Kikuyae had her minaraia ozashiki. In Miyagawacho, Minarai san wear special minarai hikizuri with shorten sleeves and shorten "half" obi only for about a week or two. This is one of the differences of the minarai rank in Miyagawacho in compare to other hanamachis. But now, Back to Kikuyae chan :)
Her Minarai Hikizuri has multi seasonal pattern on a pink background. This type of pink is called "childish"and is associated with youth. Her obi is half of the size of Maiko san. It has butterflies, as a symbol of girls transforming into graceful young ladies, as well as of young womanhood in general.
Kikuyae's hairstyle is same as her Kikushino neesan's - Wareshinobu, and is with Kikyou Kanzashi.

Kyoto Kagai has oppened!

The grand opening was a success, thank you everyone! Now we will be practicing for the Fall dance - Mizuekai held in the end of October, its open for everyone to attend as audience^^ But before we take a break from Events we will meet you fr ozashiki this Friday at 11 am slt ^_^

Important information!

1) WE HAVE MOVED TO A NEW SIM. 

You may have noticed that for some time it has become impossible to visit Miyagawacho Hanamachi on Nadine sim. We have moved to a new,  even more beautiful and more traditional sim created by talented maiko Kikutsuru. It is called Kyoo Kagai. Now, you'll be able to visit all the hanamachi's, located in RL Kyoto. Miyagawacho Hanamachi will maintain as part of the new sim

2) GRAND OPENING OF NEW KYOTO SIM 

The new sim will officially open for the public from September 23rd. Celebrations will on this occasion take place from 23rd too 25th of September. 3 whole days!  More information coming soon

3)HANAFUSA OKIYA IS ACTIVE!

We will be as active as always after the grand opening. Soon you might be invited to taste misedashi and minaraia sake at our Hanahusa ochaya. *winks*

Obon in Miyagawacho Hanamachi

What can be better than an event where you can play games, win different prizes, eat delicious fatty and sweet stall foods, dance an ancient dance and when night comes gather with friends and tell scary stories?! Yes, its August and time for Obon celebrations in Miygawacho Hanamachi. 

This year celebrations were enormous! Sooo many things to try, so many games to play and soo many stories to hear from Maiko Kikutsuru. 

Here are some amazing photos :)

 Telling scary stories is part of Obon...

 Every guest could make a wish and put a small lantern flow into the Kamo river. I hope everything they wished for will soon come true!

Here we can see Bon Odori. The way in which the dance is performed is also different in each region, though the typical Bon dance involves people lining up in a circle around a high wooden scaffold made especially for the festival called a yagura. The yagura is usually also the bandstand for the musicians and singers of the Obon music. Some dances proceed clockwise, and some dances proceed counter-clockwise around the yagura...

Yukata Kai 2016 in Miyagawacho Hanamachi

Today I'd like to tell you about the event that took place not so long ago - The Yukata Kai 2016. This year it was very special. Special for he two young sikomi chans, Yumi and Ayumi, as this was their first odori (dance) event. They had to practice new dances for quite a long time and prepare their first poem. Sepcial for the young maiko Kikune, as this was her first odori after her Misedashi ( her debut that was held in July). This was very special for the most senior maiko's of Hanafusa, Kikutsuru and Kikumaru. Special for Geiko Kikuyu, the okaasan of Hanafusa okiya, as she is the main creator of events and odori's in Miyagawacho Hanamachi. But there is another reason, equally important to everybody that is in any way connected with Miyagawacho... THIS WAS THE LAST ODORI ON NADINE SIM. Yes, this is true. Miyagawacho Hanamachi is not only moving to a new sim, but also transforming into a bigger and even more beautiful Kyoto Kagai, created from scratch by talented Maiko Kikutsuru. It will soon open its gates for everyone during the Grand Opening.

As for now on, lets have a small glimpse on the photos from the Yukata kai. We hope you liked it as much as we did :)

Performers: Geiko Kikuyu, Sr Maiko Kikutsuru, Sr Maiko Kikumaru, Jr Maiko Kikuno, Shikomi Yumi, Shikomi Ayumi

Application Hanafusa Okiya only open 1 more week

As the Summer the season of warmth is over us, we are accepting applicants to our okiya. In the hope Summertime may be a good time to begin an apprenticeship filled with luck and good weather - Training process:
Probation - Summer
Shikomi - Autumn - Winter
Minarai - Winter - Spring
Junior maiko ( several stages) Year 1 - 2.5
Senior maiko ( several stages) Year 2 - 5
Geiko ( 1 - year 5)
Geiko ( 5 year +)

If you are interested you may contact:
Atotori Kikutsuru

YukataKai in Miyagawacho Hanamachi

On Saturday 13th(august) the Geiko, Maiko and shikomi of Hanafusa okiya perform in the Summer odori - Yukata Kai
You are welcome to come enjoy this 4 act performance.

Time of arrival: 10.55 am slt
Time odori begin: 11 am slt
Time odori ends: 12 pm slt

Pictures after are to be taken in the room between exit and theater audience room.
Maiko + Shikomi will attend photo shoot.
During performance you may take pictures as long as they do not interfere the performance.

August Kitsuke

Geiko Kikuyu

For this month okaasan Kikuyu chose black susohiki with beautifully handpainted scenery. It is accompanied by golden obi with small flowery pattern.
Her Taka Shimada(style of the wig) is decorated with small but very elegant seasonal kanzashi.
In her hand she's holding pink kago that goes really good with whole ensemble.

Senior Maiko Kikutsuru

For august Kikutsuru san chose white hikizuri with susuki(pampass grass) pattern. This hikizuri is made in such colors that one look on this masterpiece is enough to cool yourself down in summer heat. 

Her her is decorated with one flower of Asagao or morning glory.

Senior Maiko Kikumaru

Kikumaru san is wearing pale blue hikizuri with multi seasonal pattern which goes really good with green obi. Like her oneesan Maiko Kikutsuru, her hair is decorated with Asagao(Morning glory) kanzashi, but with triple as maiko Kikumaru is "younger" senior maiko than Kikutsuru san.

Junior Maiko Kikune

Little Kikune san is wearing twin hikizuri of the one worn by Maiko Kikutsuru, her oneesan. Her wareshinobu is decorated with silver susuki(pampass grass). It is tradition that Junior maiko wear this type of kanzashi, while senior maiko can choose between asagao kzasnhi or the susuki ones(it also depends on the hanamachi)

Application - End of Summer - Hanafusa Okiya

As the Summer the season of warmth is over us, we are accepting applicants to our okiya. In the hope Summertime may be a good time to begin an apprenticeship filled with luck and good weather - Training process:
Probation - Summer
Shikomi - Autumn - Winter
Minarai - Winter - Spring
Junior maiko ( several stages) Year 1 - 2.5
Senior maiko ( several stages) Year 2 - 5
Geiko ( 1 - year 5)
Geiko ( 5 year +)

If you are interested you may contact:
Atotori Kikutsuru - Miehina resident