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...

New Minarai in Hanafusa Okiya!

This week little shikomi Miyoei has passed her exam and her now we can celebrate her minaraia.Her geimei is Kikuno and her oneesan(older sister) is Senior maiko Kikutsuru.

Omedetou san dosu Kikuno-chan ^_^

      

* Minarai literally means "learning by watching". This is a short stage before Miedashi(the debut of a Maiko). During this time the oneesan(older sister) gets appointed and minarai starts to visit ozashiki and banquets with her. Although minarai attend ozashiki, they do not participate at an advanced level as so do Maiko or Geiko. They learn by watching - this is a way in which she will gain insights of the job. 

September Kitsuke

Geiko Kikuyu

  

 Okaasan Kikuyu is wearing dark susohiki with amazing dyed autumn pattern. Its design is glamorous beautiful! The flying cranes( hand-painted of course)can symbolize the autumn, coming on their wings. The silk, used for its creation, is the
Her golden obi is a unique piece with beautiful flying crane pattern, which is dyed. It is tied in taiko musubi knot("drum knot" as musubi means knot or tie).


*  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 a beautiful tail of a goldfish.

Maiko Kikutsuru

     

Senior Maiko Kikutsuru is wearing a glamorous hikizuri with charming flower arabesque and willow striped pattern. You can also notice the iris flowers. The background is warm and calm - it reminds a bit of the sun in autumn months. Textile 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. It has dyed bamboo pattern on a purple background and it suits the hikizuri well.
The Maiko Kago is heavy and is held with both hands. It contains a mirror, a comb, a white powder and a special lipstick(if makeup "moved"), a pair of clean tabi(socks), a maiougi(dancing fan) and many more items that are needed during the ozashiki. Every item has its special place in the kago so it can be easily found.
The whole ensemble gives true feeling that the Autumn is right behind the door. Only one small slide of the fusuma...

Maiko Kikumaru

 

Maiko Kikumaru's hikizuri is light purple color with flowers an leaves flow(hand-painted by talented kimono artist). Although it has some multi seasonal motifs, it goes really good with the kikyou kanzashi. 

As maiko goes outside the okiya or ochaya, she needs to tie her hikizuri,showing the amazing juban patter.

Her lovely darari obi is golden with beautiful woven pattern. This obi looks like the special Misedashi obi that is used only during the debut if a new maiko in Hanafusa okiya. 

Kago is grey, with nice star charm on it. She carries it with both hands, as her oneesan does. 

Photos by Maiko Kikutsuru