Shikomi Ayumi

Minarai Kikusana

 .·´¯`·.·•Watashi no namae wa Kikusana desu•·.·´¯`·.

A native to Kyoto, I was born into a lineage of ningyo doll artisans. Some of my earliest memories were sparked by watching the careful hands of my father create porcelain beauties emblematic of the ancient history of Kyoto. In my childhood I spent many days in our shop, dreaming endlessly and reveling in the mystery of the flower and willow world. 

Always a precocious child, I found myself buried in textbooks, determined to learn everything I could of the kagai. Over time, stolen glances of geiko in soggy streets turned into my own zouri tracing their footsteps. Though I was faced with the hard decision to give up my normal life as a girl, I was compelled to pursue my dream of one day becoming a person of art. 

Though my journey has just begun, I am honored to be given an opportunity to improve myself and serve my okiya well. Through the advisement and direction of my Okaasan and elder sisters, I hope to continually better myself and hone my craft. 

Gion Matsuri in Miyagawacho Hanamachi

Dear guests and patrons, 

Maiko and Geiko of Hanafusa okiya present you - The Gion Matsuri, that will take place on July 16th 11 am slt.

Short history: The Gion Festival or Gion Matsuri is one of the most famous festivals in Japan. This festival originated as part of a purification ritual (goryo-e) to appease the gods thought to cause fire, floods and earthquakes. In 869, the people were suffering from plague and pestilence which was attributed to the rampaging deity Gozu Tennō. Emperor Seiwa ordered that the people pray to the god of the Yasaka Shrine, Susanoo-no-mikoto. Sixty-six stylized and decorated halberds, one for each province in old Japan, were prepared and erected at Shinsen-en, a garden, along with the portable shrines (mikoshi) from Yasaka Shrine.

This practice was repeated wherever an outbreak occurred. In 970, it was decreed an annual event and has since seldom been broken. Over time the increasingly powerful and influential merchant class made the festival more elaborate and, by the Edo period (1603–1868), used the parade to brandish their wealth.

In 1533, the Ashikaga shogunate halted all religious events, but the people protested, stating that they could do without the rituals, but not the procession. This marks the progression into the festival’s current form.

Ozashiki in Hanahusa ochaya(Friday 10th of June)

Konbanwa dear guests and patron of Miyagawacho Hanamachi,
as a celebration of the beginning of Summer  we are hosting a ozashiki in our Hanahusa ochaya this Friday.

Time 12pm - 1.00 pm slt(second life time)
Dress code - visiting clothes

You are welcome to enjoy some nice conversations and entertainment by the Geiko and Maiko of Hanafusa Okiya

Here's your riksha: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Nadine/109/202/28

Ozashiki in Hanahusa ochaya(Friday 3rd, 11.30am-12.30am)

Dear Guests and Patrons of Miyagawacho Hanamachi,

It is with great pleasure to invite you to the first summertime ozashiki of Hanahusa ochaya that will take place on Friday 3rd of June 2016. You'll be offered carefully prepared Kyoto Kaiseki meal, Miyagawacho "flying" sake and delicious green tea. And when you have finished eating your delicious Kaiseki meal, paper lanterns will be lit up and Maiko san of Hanafusa okiya would entertain you with their graceful dances and their skilful play on traditional Japanese music instruments.

Time of arrival: 11.30 am slt
Departure: 12.30 pm slt
dress code: Semiformal

Come and celebrate the breathtaking beginning of Summer with the shamisen music and the sound of silk sleeves.

Here's Your riksha: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Nadine/109/202/28

Dreaming of becoming beautiful maiko?

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
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
Riksha to Miyagawacho Hanamachi sim: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Nadine/109/108/28

Last May ozashiki in Hahahusa ochaya

During last  spring ozashiki, Geiko, Maiko and Minarai of Hanahusa ochaya entertained guests with beautiful dances and kouta(lyrical songs).  Firstly, Maiko Kikutsuru(purple hikizuri), Maiko Kikuyumi(subtle pink hikizuri) and Minarai Kikune(green hikizuri) performed Gion Kouta and Maiko Kikumaru (White hikizuri) accompanied their beautiful dance with skillful play on shamisen. Than Maiko Kikumaru put away her instrument and under accompaniment of Geiko Kikuyu performed a dance "Under the gorgeous Fuji tree" with young Minarai Kikune. It was amazing evening and farewell to the Spring!

Relay for Life odori

Very special event took place on May 6th in Miyagawacho Hanamachi. In the event of supporting Relay for Life Hanafusa okiya held an odori ( dance performance) in 4 acts each representing one season. The dance depicted the four seasons, and a story about “Letting go” of once extra “Luggage” and burdens. Our beautiful dance was performed by the maiko and minarai of Hanafusa okiya in our kaburenjo in Miygawacho Hanamachi. We would like to thank Kyoko san who narrated before, between and after the dances. Also we would like to thank those who came and those who donated to Relay for Life. Cancer is a worldwide problem, lets fight it togather!

Participants: Sr Maiko Kikutsuru, Sr Maiko Kikumaru, Jr Maiko Kikuyumi, Minarai Kikune

Sunday 15th of May - Kyo mai & Q&A with Maiko

Have you dreamed of ever becoming a maiko? or enjoying the beautiful dance and culture?
we welcome you to a relaxing hour with us in our Museum of art and culture. The maiko of Hanafusa will perform for you and after you may ask them questions about their career and choice to become a maiko, geiko apprentice.

10.20 am slt
1hour duration
dress code - informal ( but not shorts or tank tops full clothing)

Here's your riksha: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Nadine/109/134/28

Heian Jingu Reitaisai Hono Buyo in Miyagawacho Hanamachi

This was a very busy week! Right after the debut of Minarai Kikune, Miyagawacho Hanamachi hosted Heian Jingu Reitaisai Hono Buyo where maiko san and minarai from Hanafusa okiya took part. It was also the very first dance event that included little Minarai Kikune, who, although scared a bit of audience, danced beautifully. 

Jr Maiko Kikuyumi(blue hikizuri), Sr Maiko Kikutsuru(marsala hikizuri) and minarai Kikune(purple flowerly hikizuri)

Minaraia of Kikune of Hanafusa okiya

 On April 15th Hanahusa ochaya hosted very special event - Minaraia of Kikune chan. It was first time that little flower of Hanafusa okiya appeared not as shikomi Kokoro, as she was known before. Earlier that day Maiko Kikutsuru was appointed to become Kikune chans's oneesan or older sister ("maiko-guardian"). With her hunger for learning  and with such good and famous oneesan as Kikutsuru san, minarai Kikune has nothing to worry about.
Minaraia celebrations were announced to publicity and many our patrons came and greet new member of the Kagai and wish her good luck on her hard road on becoming Geiko san in Second life.

Jr Maiko Kikuyumi(blue hikizuri), Sr Maiko Kikutsuru(marsala hikizuri),
Sr Maiko Kikumaru(green hikizuri) and Minarai Kikune(purple flowery hikizuri)

"We are all happy to congratulate minarai Kikune with her first steps on becoming beautiful flower of Karyukai. We also like to remind her about continuing hard work and practicing her conversation and shamisen skills. Omedeou san dosu Kikune chan!" - commented her older sisters from Hanafusa Okiya

Kyo Odori coming soon!

Spring is now in full bloom so we would like to invite you and your friends to this years 4th annual Kyo odori. Kyo odori is a beautiful 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, Maiko and Geiko  of Hanafusa okiya will be honored to entertain you on April 30th at 11 am slt - 12.30 pm slt! 

Welcome the Spring in Miyagawacho Hahamachi Kabuenjo!

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!