Shikomi Chiyo has passed her exam!

A new minarai in Hanafusa okiya soon!

Chiyo chan passed her Dance exam! She also passed the 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 Chiyo chan!

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

Phtoto from Yukatakai 2015

Pictures from this years Yukatakai:) thank you Kyoko san and Isoldel san for these marvelous photos :)

Participants:

Geiko Kikuyu(okaasan)

Maiko Kikutsuru(atatori)

Maiko Kikumaru

Shikomi Chiyo(soon debut as minarai)

Shikomi Kiyomi

Dear guests and patrons,

Ookini san dosu for attending our odori! 

We hope to see you on our next performances 

Yukatakai 2015

On Saturday 15th(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.

Here's you rikshah: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Nadine/86/84/29

August Kitsuke of Hanafusa Okiya Members

Okaasan Kikuyu has chosen soft pink Susohiki with beautiful flowers and dark wisteria obi. Her Katsura is decorated with a tortoiseshell comb and a delicate hairpin

Sr Maiko Kikutsuru is wearing elegant black hikizuri with summer pattern and ro obi with summer grass pattern. Her hair is decorated with one of traditional kanzashi of the August - Morning Glory(asagao).

Maiko Kikumaru has chosen sweet pink hikizuri with  yagasuri pattern (one of her favorite) and a beautiful ro obi. Traditionally, her hair is decorated with susuki grass. The susuki grass appears as a starburst of spines. Senior maiko wear white-backed silver petals and junior maiko wear pink-backed silver petals. Such is the tradition:)

Best wishes from Hanafusa ladies :)

Tanabata Festival in Miyagawacho Hanamachi

Ozashiki

Maiko Kikutsuru,Kikumaru and Kikuno performs a dance with coordinating poems of Maiko in the Summer. They re wearing mesh hikizuri by Isoldel san and textures by Kikutsuru san :)
Maiko Kikutsuru performs a solo dance in honor of the Wisteria. Please enjoy photos by Kyoko san :)

New Shikomi in Hanafusa okiya - Aiko chaaaan :)

Aiko comes from a small farming town near Kyoto where she lived with her parents. On a trip into Kyoto when she was small, Aiko was able to catch a glimpse of a beautifully dressed Maiko hurrying to her next appointment. That image left a grand impression on the girl. For the next few years, Aiko would try to collect and learn as much information as she could on Geiko. She hung advertisements for Odori onto her walls, read books at the library and she would even sneak into her mother’s makeup to paint her bottom lip the red, innocent way of the junior Maiko; anything so that she would feel closer to their world.
    Years later, while talking to her parents about what she wanted to do in life, Aiko told them that she wished to study the ways of the Geiko. Very shocked by this, her parents tried to dissuade her because of their fear of letting their small daughter go off into such a big city. However,  her parents finally let her make the journey to Kyoto to begin her life as a Shikomi.

Miyagawacho Museum event in June

Today Maiko Kikutsuru and Maiko Kikumaru performed two summer dances answered questions about training, career and kitsuke; they also told some personal stories of how they entered this world. It was also first appearance in new mesh kimono by Isoldel san and textures by Kikutsuru san:)
Photos by Isoldel san

June Kitsuke of Hanafusa okiya members

Long requested June Kitsuke of Maiko and Geiko of Hanafusa okiya(SL) :)

As it was said before, Kitsuke - is art of wearing a kimono. You dont just come and wear a summer bathrobe and tie it with some material. Not at all! The technique of dressing properly and wearing a kimono properly is hard and takes lots of time to learn. But as my oneesan(older sister) says: "  If you’re going to do something: do it right.". There are many rules how too choose the right pattern or color and what type of kimono you have to wear, for example you cant wear kimono with sakura flowers in autumn as sakura blooms in spring whilst you cant wear chrysanthemums or red leaves in spring  bcz this is the symbol of autumn, and so on. When girl decides to become maiko she has to know every tiny aspect of kitsuke as she is now to become carrier of traditional knowledge and arts, and what is kitsuke if not a form of art ^^

Now lets have a look at the kimonos and accessories that was chosen by maiko and geiko of Hanafusa okiya in MIyagawacho hanamachi (sl):)

Okaasan Kikuyu:

For first summer month Geiko Kukuyu has chosen smooth colored kimono with fan motif. As you look on her kitsuke, you can feel how you're cooling down just looking on these beautifully painted hand fans. Color of the kimono reminds us of waves and too has the cooling effect on our minds :)

Maiko Kikutsuru:

For July Maiko Kikutsuru is wearing blue hikizuri with little summer flowers carefully painted in hem and sleeves. Her kimono reminds of the fast and chilly river, that begins high in the mountains as a small stream and than becomes a beautiful river. She carries small flower arabesque right to the ocean and you can feel how river wind comes from her.

Maiko Kikumaru:

Maiko Kikumaru is wearing white hikizuri with many summer flowers. This hikizuri is multi-summer - it means that it can be used through summer and even end of spring. Her hikizuri also has cooling effect and reminds of snow on the mount Fuji or ice in ujikintoki :) yuuuuuuuuuum

Maiko Kikuno: 

Little Kikuno chan is wearing green hikizuri that is multi-spring but can also be used in June. Green is color of summer grass and the wind that moves leaves on the trees.

Now lest see photos^_^

Geiko Kikuyu  

Maiko Kikutsuru

Maiko Kikumaru

Maiko Kikuno

May Kitsuke of Hanafusa okiya Ladies

"May is brought to us on the blossoms of wisteria tree"

Geiko Kikuyu 

For May Okaasan Geiko Kikuyu has chosen light purple beautiful susohiki decorated with little silver pattern painted on the silk. As i said before, its a rare sight to see a geiko wearing susohiki with this type of pattern, but it happens from time to time, for example yabane(arrow shaft/arrow feathers), multi flowers and stripes or little snowflakes. This susohiki reminds us of wisteria that is now in full bloom in Miyagawacho Hanamachi. As you may have seen in previous photos of hanafusa maiko and geiko, long garments are usually held up to allow to walk on the street.This marvelous susohiki is accompanied by silver obi with small flowers of purple and orange. Material is best silk with woven flower patterns. 

Geiko Kikuyu's juban(or thin kimono that is worn under the susohiki) is pink with spring flowers painted on it.
In her left hand she's holding gorgeous kago, made of chirimen silk, with a beautiful light pink color background. Basket base is made of painted bamboo sticks. All is handmade by Kyoto's best craftsman. Kago 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.

Sr Maiko Kikutsuru

For this month maiko Kikutsuru has chosen white hikizuri with hand-painted motif. Textile is exquisite silk and has soft and comfortable touch. This hikizuri is specially created for end spring - beginning/mid summer. We can see some spring and summer flowers painted by a skilled artist. A true work of art!
Her Collar(han-eri) is white with red part on the back and it shows us that she is senior Maiko.
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.
Her kago is yellow and reminds us of summer sun.
Her hairstyle is called ofuku(as you remember it is hairstyle of Sr Maiko) and is decorated with special trailing fuji(wisteria) kanzashi that are worn only during this month. They come in purple, pink or white colors. To say more, fuji is very traditional motif for May - wisteria is a flower often associated with the imperial court (wisteria viewing parties have been celebrated by Japanese nobles since the Heian Period).
On her feet she wears wooden sandals called okobo or pokurri. Those are only worn by maiko. They are very tall and usually made from a block of willow wood. They are held to the foot by straps in colors that represent their owners rank.

Jr Maiko Kikumaru

This month jr Maiko Kikumaru is wearing soft green hikizuri with springtime flowers and blossoms. We can see sakura and plum blossom painted on silk by hand of skilled painter. This specific pattern is multi spring and is never used during other seasons. While walking outside, Maiko Kikumaru tied her hikizuri with pink ribbon.
Her obi is decorated with woven flower pattern on beige background. End of the obi has okiya mon or emblem(as every family in japan, all okiya and yakata in have their own emblems too) which means she comes from this family.
Her hair is decorated with beautiful purple fuji kazashi.
In her hands a pink kago, with useful items. Looks heavy indeed!

Jr Maiko Kikuno

Little Kikuno chan is wearing very colorful multi seasonal hikizuri - it has lots of flowers to show the springtime. 

Her collar or eri is red, with some white woven pattern - that is to show how that she is still jr maiko, young and petite(Red and White are auspicious colors that are said to bring good luck to those who wear them; also those are colors meaning youthfulness).
Maiko Kikuno's hairstyle is decorated with shidare kanzashi, composed by long chains of silk flowers. This month her kanzashi represent the trailing blossoms of wisteria that is in bloom now.
Her lovely darari obi is golden with beautiful woven pattern. This obi is the twin obi of that special Misedashi obi that is used only during the debut if a new maiko in Hanafusa okiya.

3rd Annual Kyo Odori

Kyo odori is annual dance event in Miyagawacho Hanamachi. Every year, in end of April, Maiko and Geiko welcome Spring with their beautiful dances and poems at Miyagawa-chō Kaburen-jō Theatre. This year 3rd Annual Kyo odori took place on April 26th(10.50 am slt).

The dance style features beautiful movements and expressions. The routine is choreographed, almost like a ballet, and is performed very slowly which means any tiny mistake will be obvious. Maiko and Geiko are expected to perform it perfectly every time. There may be 5 or 6 distinct acts with changes of scenery, dress and props and for the final section all of the performers return to the stage and dance traditional Miyagawacho ondo dance.

Participants: Geiko Kikuyu, Maiko Kikutsuru, Maiko Kikumaru, Maiko Kikuno, Yumi-san(tallanted actress and dancer)

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Tea Ceremony: 

Special Odori tea ceremony is in the ryurei style with guests seated on stools and not tatami mats. As you are seated, you see geiko performing a tea ceremony before Kyo odori. She sits in the middle of the room making tea according to strict tradition with the help of a young maiko. Specially for this ceremony geiko wears her her hair in Kyofuu Shimada haurstyle. She does this quietly lthough all her movements are gracefull. During this, guests are served Usucha green tea and a sweet bean mochi. The mochi is usually served on a small Japanese ceramic plate that has soring motifs. 

1st Act "Yokusu ho Haru" 

Maiko of Hanafusa okiya, dressed in colorful seasonal hikizuri, welcome the Spring. For this act Sr Maiko Kikutsuru composed a beautiful poem

2nd Act "Miyagawacho no Haru"

Maiko of Hanafusa okiya, dressed in their formal kuromotsuki(formal black hikizuri with 5 okiya crests, worn on special ocasions) dance with kagura(bells), gently welcoming the kami of Miyagawacho. Poem for this dance was created by Jr Maiko Kikumaru

3rd Act "Sakura no Maiko San"

Maiko Kikumaru, Maiko kikutsuru and Yumi-san, dressed as young maidens, dance with sakura branches in their hands.  The story is told by Kikutsuru-san and is legendary in Tokyo: it is about the great fire that once destroyed almost whole Edo, about love and fury of a young maiden, and a long sleeve kimono...

4th Act "Tamiko no Hime"

Maiko, dressed as ancient japanese dancers, dance on a beutifully decorated stage. The story,created by Maiko Kikumaru, tells a story about young princess Tamiko and losses in her life...

5th Act "Miyagawa Ondo"

Ending of Kyo odori that hasnt changed ever since 1st Kyo Odori. Maiko of Hanafusa okiya in april kitsuke dance traditional dance called Miyagawa ondo. 

We have a new shikomi - her name is Harumi

I Was born in Toyono Japan. I came from a family of 5 sisters and 2 brothers. My father was with many different women as I grew up. I chose to stay and live with my biological mother, step father and 2 sisters. Loving the rest of her relatives from a distance.
I was not born from a well financed family me and my family were still able to make life happy and cheerful. Although my mother made sure me&my sisters get education. I loved drawing and painting. Alot of art came to my mind as I had gotten to the age of 16. I wanted to be something well-known as and filled with beauty. As I studies more of the artistic styles seeing a painting of a Geisha known as Geiko in Kyoto. In the painting she was very beautiful and was known for her performances across all Japan. I then quit my schooling and got a side job to save up money to have the life as a Geiko. Though my mother was not very happy with my choice but wanted to support me. Saving all we could and sending me off to my dream.

Hahafusa Okiya has new shikomi - her name is Chiyo

My name is Chiyo, meaning thousand generations. I was born in Karama a little fishing village on the slopes of Mount Fuji.
My father was a fisher and my mother took care of me until she fell ill.
I did all in my power to carry forward the home and to take care of my sick mum while I was looking for a way to give an hand to my family.
My father did all what was in his possibilities also to cure her but any efforts was un useful. She died after many months of suffering.
When my father told me that he couldn't take care of me anymore, I left my home and I have walked for long time before arrive to Kyoto. There I was welcomed in my first Okiya called Nishimura. I started my studies but the Okiya did close after a short time and I had too re-started my walk without  knowing where I could go.
At the end I arrived in Miyagawacho Hanamachi where Hanafusa Okiya's Okaasan accepted me as her trainee and I have now been established here with this new family that will never leave me.

Finally at Home ^_^

Kyo odori coming soon!

Kyo Odori coming to Miyagawacho hanamachi  April 26th at 10.50 am slt - 12 am slt! 

Please come and enjoy dances by Maiko and Geiko of Hanafusa okiya. 

Welcome the Spring in Miyagawacho Kabuenjo