Late Summer celebrate friendly bonds between Japan and Italy

“Friendship knows no color, nationality, race and social level, friendship knows no age and gender, friendship knows no distance...” - Luis Alexandre Ribeiro Branco

Several days ago Hanafusa okiya geiko and maiko were invited to perform at the Grand Opening of the Camp Italia Gateway area, dedicated to friendship between the Italian and Japanese people. The performance consisted of 2 dances: "Hydrangea" (poem and dance by Geiko Kikumaru) and "Story of friendship between Japan and Italy" (story and dance created by Maiko Kikune and Maiko Kikushino).

Camp Italia sim has a beautiful museum with interesting information and historical photos. Moreover, different buildings in addition to the stage, have been used for exhibitions, exhibition rooms, relaxation, entertainment and gastronomy. Asia san, who is the host, created an amazing atmosphere that does feel like Edo. Please visit this amazing sim for different lessons, events and of course art exhibitions

(Your taxi to camp Italia: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Camp%20Italia/127/64/23)

Have you ever dreamt of becoming a maiko?

Have you ever dreamed wearing elaborate kimonos and learning new about Japanese culture? Have you ever dreamed of walking the Kyoto streets in high wooden okobo?

If yes, than Hanafusa okiya is for you:)

You are provided with a near real life course or training in Japanese History and culture. You will learn how to be a Geiko ( term for Geisha in Kyoto)

At the moment we have open space for 4 Shikomi.

Ready to give it a try? Contact  Geiko Kikutsuru (Miehina resident) if you are interested in starting your journey in a close family such as Hanafusa, that focus on realism and quality.

Taxi: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Kyoto/63/205/31

Geiko and Maiko of Hanafusa okiya performing at annual Yukatakai

Walking around Kyoto Kagai sim: Gion Higashi Chaya

 Gion Higashi chaya is one of many tea houses located in Kyoto Kaga sim. During summer and early autumn months it holds ozashiki(banquets) on the kawadoko(water platform) upon the Shirakawa river and local Maiko and Geiko are invited to entertain guests. 

LM: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Kyoto/69/169/31

This weekend (Saturday, 12th of September) we invite you to the one of the last summertime ozashiki of 2020. The relaxing atmosphere of the tea house accompanied by traditional Japanese entertainers, Maiko and Geiko, will definitely make you feel the upcoming switch of seasons 

Walking around Kyoto Kagai sim: Shinbashi Dori street

Shinbashi Dori is a street located both in RL Kyoto and SL Kytot Kaga sim. There are lots of traditional Japanese kyoto-style houses known as machiya, restaurants, retro cafes and meeting places for everyone in Gion. And of course there are tea houses where Maiko and Geiko entertain. Wo knows, maybe when you visit, you will see one quickly passing by?...

 LM for Kyoto Kagai sim: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Kyoto/107/155/31

Summer picnic in Momiji/Ume park -Sat Sept.5th @ 11:00 a.m.

Summer is slowly coming to and end but you can still enjoy a relaxing picnic in the park with Geiko and Maiko. We invite you to join us for a brief time among the hydrangea, butterflies and a cheerful stream. We look forward to meeting new and old friends soon

Time&Date: Saturday 5th of September, 11 am slt

Taxi: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Kyoto/92/49/30

September Kitsuke of Hanafusa Geiko and Maiko

Autumn is around the corner, yet in Japan September is considered a Summer month. So do not hesitate to visit Kyoto Kagai sim to enjoy the last warm summery days and as well as the company of Geiko and Maiko from the Hanafusa okiya.

Now lets talk about the September  kitsuke of Hanafusa okiya ladies :)

Geiko Kikutsuru and Geiko Kikumaru

Atatori of Hanafusa Okiya Geiko Kikutsuru has chosen subtle navy blue kimono with design featuring summer flowers. It is tied with obi that has distinctive pattern known in japanese as "Kikko Mon". This pattern is a geometric pattern made up of many regular hexagons. It is considered auspicious as it resembles the geometrical pattern of the tortoise shell and tortoise are conspired to be the symbols for wisdom, luck, protection, and longevity; old beliefs mention that "Kame" unites heaven and earth, with its shell representing heaven and its square underside representing earth.
Her Katsura is decorated with white rabbit maezashi (as soon there will be "otsukimi" or moon viewing festival) and kushi. At the back there is Tama with nephrite.

Geiko Kikumaru is wearing dlicate pink kimono with flowers on uchiwa (summer fan) and a river design. Kawa(river) or winding stream represents continuity and the future. It also has a cooling affect on the viewer. Uchiwa with peonies, chrysanthemums, momiji and other plants and flowers is more of combined design, that can be worn from late spring till autumn. The green obi with golden geometrical pattern goes well with the kimono and is tied in a taiko musubi knot.
Her hair is decorated with Asagao hairpin, that is flower symbol of September. Morning glory flower is one of the few flowers today that is instantly recognized as a summer motif in Japan and can be seen on the kimono and pins from June till September.

Maiko Kikune and Maiko Kikushino

For September Maiko Kikune has chosen subtle white hikizuri. The design is Susuki or pampass grass and is worn from August to October. It is simple but elegant grass that is an essential decoration for otsukimi, the mid-autumn moon viewing festival. It is tied with bright green darari obi that goes well with hikizuri. Obiage is tucked into the obi - it is custom in Miyagwacho for their Maiko to start tucking obiage right after becoming Senior. 

Her hair is styled in Ofuku - Senior Maiko hairstyle and is decorated with big Kikyou hanakanzashi, kushi, smaller kikyou maezashi, bira bira kanzashi, hirauchi and nephrite tama.

In September you can see Maiko Kikushino wearing light hikizuri with colorful "tonbo" or dragonfly design all over the kimono. Another old name for dragonfly is “katsumushi” - victory insect, which made dragonflies symbols of courage, strength, and happiness. As a seasonal symbol, the dragonfly is associated with late summer and early autumn. The Darari obi, worn by Maiko Kikushino, is bright orange with dancing fan motif. 

Her hair is styled in Wareshinobu (this hairstyle is only worn by minarai and junior maiko) and is decorated with fashionable seasonal kanzashi(this month it is Kikyou or Chinese bellflower). 

Walking around Kyoto Kagai sim: Tatsumi Shrine

In ancient city of Kyoto, on the Shirakawa-minami-dori street, famous for its expensive and luxurious tea houses, a small shrine is located. Local legend tells that centuries ago locals had big problem with tanuki(racoon dog), who lived under the Tatsumi bridge nearby. Tanuki caused used to attack those who were passing by and made them fall into water of the Shirakawa channel. It was decided that a shrine could be a solution therefore a small shrine was built beside the bridge. And the funny thing is that after the shrine was built, there were no problems with tanuki what so ever. The name of the shrine is Tatsumi Jinja.

Nowadays, Tatsumi bashi (bridge) and Tatsumi Jinja are considered to be one of the most picturesque places in Kyoto and even Japan. If you are lucky, you can spot a maiko or a geiko walking to their appointments

Second life hosts a copy of the Tatsumi Jinja and other scenic places located in Kyoto Kagai sim. 

LM to Tatsumi shrine and Kyoto Kagai sim: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Kyoto/67/203/31

Historic tour around Miyagawacho Hanamachi (Saturday 29th 11 am slt )

 Deep in the heart of Kyoto Kagai lays Miyagawacho hanamachi, one of the 5 geiko (Kyoto word for geisha) districts in Kyoto. This Saturday we invite You, Your family and friends to join Maiko Kikune (Hanafusa okiya) for a relaxing historical tour around Miyagawacho Hanamachi, its history and traditions ^_^ 

Taxi: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Kyoto/231/247/31

Ghostly story time coming this Wednesday 👻

When the summer evenings get too hot, it is time for Japanese ghost folklore. Just imagine - you enter an old house that seems empty yet you can feel that there is somebody watching your every move...Come and join us for Ghostly story time this Wednesday👻

Date&Time: August Wed.19th, 10 am slt

LM: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Kyoto/77/46/32

Obon celebrations at Kyoto Kagai sim

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 Kyoto Kagai sim.
This year's celebrations are going to be enormous! Sooo many things to try, so many games to play and soo many stories to hear from members of Hanafusa okiya or maybe you would like to share one as well?
Date: Saturday 15th of August
Time: 10 am slt
Taxi: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Kyoto/63/205/31

Hassaku 2020

1st of August is always one of the most busy and important days in August for Hanafusa okiya members as this is the day of Hassaku. What is Hassaku and why is it considered that important? Well, it is similar to greeting rounds that take place in winter (Shin Aishatsu) but, of course, there are several differences. So, every year on this hot summer day, all okiya members from Miyagawacho Hanamachi dress up in their casual komon or iromuji and go on rounds, paying respects to teachers, establishments and sometimes long time patrons. Indeed, it takes time to make all visits and greet people that play important if not major part in the life of the okiya - kimono makers, local shop keepers, kanzashi makers, tea house owners, teachers, fan and prop makers etc. This is same, both for Rl and SL, as Hanafusa okiya tries to keep all the traditions, being as realistic as possible.
If you have seen pictures from Hassaku, you might have noticed that some Maiko and Geiko wear most formal kimono called kuromontsuki while others (as do Hanafusa maiko on the picture) - simpler kimono and no make up. So who wears what during Hassaku?
Gion Kobu: Maiko san and Geiko san from Gion Kobu hanamachi wear formal regalia (kuromontsuki with 5 crests of the okiya and formal obi, formal make up with 3 stripes, tortoise shell kanzashi alongside with august pampas hanakanzashi; in case or senior maiko hairstyle is called Yakko Shimada, while junior maiko wear their hair styled in Wareshinobu).
Gion Higashi: casual komon or iromuji, no make up, hairstyle: Wareshinobu or Ofuku
Kamishichiken: casual komon or iromuji, no make up, hairstyle: Wareshinobu or Ofuku
Miyagawacho: casual komon or iromuji, no make up, hairstyle: Wareshinobu or Ofuku
Pontocho: casual komon or iromuji, no make up, hairstyle: Wareshinobu or Ofuku
This is one of the best times to see the members of Kagai, as they flow through streets in small groups. Also, this is a good time for you to notice the changes that have occurred since springtime odori's: who has become senior, new members or who has returned to kagai etc. This year has showed us that Hanafusa okiya of SL has been doing quite well - there are 2 active Geiko and 2 active Maiko. Looks like there will be some some good changes this year as well, but those are still rumors :) 

from left to right: Maiko Kikushino(green), Geiko Kikumaru(light blue),
Geiko Kikutsuru(beige) and Maiko Kikune(purple)

August Kitsuke

Mid-August in Kyoto Kagai...Geiko and Maiko from Hanafusa okiya are enjoying a beautiful walk around the decorated Tanabata area (close to Tenmangu-ji) in their semiformal garments and this means the time has come for our monthly kitsuke post!
P.S. Don't forget about Tanabata and Obon that will take place this month, take your friends and family with you as there will be fun for children as well as adults! 

Geiko Kikutsuru

 

Geiko Kikutsuru's semiformal ro kimono for August features gorgeous river and willow design on a beige background. For centuries Willow was associated with Geiko and Maiko world and is a symbol of grace and strength. This kimono is exclusive and one of the kind, and belongs solemnly to Kikutsuru san.
Green obi, with Kikyou (bell-flower) and several Asagao (morning glory) flower design, holds the kimono close. Both flowers are used in summer kimono and obi designs and patterns right up until end of September. The obi is tied in Taiko Musubi knot
Her Juban (underskirt) has a design created in Shibori technique (is a Japanese manual resist dyeing technique, which produces patterns on fabric). 

Her katsura (wig) is decorated with small maezashi hairpin, kushi made from light wood and jade tama at the back.
Geiko have bigger choice in footwear than maiko - they can choose between several types of geta or comfortable zori, when weather is rainy/the area where they will be requires them to wear footwear.

Geiko Kikumaru

Geiko Kikumaru's semiformal outfit for August features water flows and summer flowers on the deep turquoise background. This kimono can be worn from beginning of summer right up until September.
Is it tied with exquisite woven silk obi that has styles golden flower on it. This piece belongs to Kikumaru san and was created for her by a famous Second life kimono artist.
As all Geiko wear wigs styled in style worn by married women in Edo, the decorations are also limited - maezashi at the front, a comb and seasonal tama at the back.
In her hands she is holding a kago on the day of her debut as geiko and has her name embroidered on it. As you might have noticed already both Geiko and Maiko are holding their kago, there they keep things that can be needed during ozahsiki - spare tabi socks, several fans, lipstic, comb, white powder, compact mirror etc.

Maiko Kikune

Senior Maiko Kikune has chosen subtle purple ro hikizuri for August. You need to look closely to admire the intricate flowery design that goes all over the kimono.

It is tied with black darari obi that goes well with hikizuri. The design on the obi features the iconic summer sight - the lit up paper lanterns of the Gion Matsuri Festival.
Obiage is tucked into the obi - it is custom in Miyagwacho for their Maiko to start tucking obiage right after becoming Senior. It is different in other Hanamachi, for example in Gion Kobu Maiko start tying obiage when they preparing for erikae.
Her hair is styled in Ofuku - Senior Maiko hairstyle and decorated with seasonal Asagao (morning glory) hanakanzashi, kushi (comb), smaller asagao maezashi, bira bira kanzashi at the front as well as hirauchi and jade tama at the back of the hair.

Maiko Kikushino

Maiko Kikushino, who is the youngest Maiko in the okiya, is wearing beautiful bright blue hikizuri with hand-painted goldfish and water circles design. Kikushino has stepped into her 3rd year as Maiko which means that soon enough she will have to give up all her junior maiko kimonos. Who knows :) 

It is tied with long white darari obi. This obi is sister version of the one worn by her neesan maiko Kikune - it features famous paper lanterns of Gion Matsuri festival but during the day.

Her hair is styled in Wareshinobu - Junior Maiko hairstyle and is crowned with silver color flower which actually is pampass grass designed in as if it is a flower. It is another seasonal motif for kanzashi apart from Asagao, that is worn mostly by Senior maiko. At the back she is wearing Kanakodome and Tachibana pin - these are distinctive details that can tell that it is a Junior Maiko has just passed by you :)

Konchiki Ondo 2020

Dear reader of Hanafusa okiya blog,

As in rl Kyoto Kagai, our sim as well as it's maiko and geiko members, take part in Gion Matsuri celebrations. Every year after the Hanagasa Junko parade, Maiko san from Miyagawacho perform a dance called Konchiki ondo. The name of the dance comes from distinctive Konchiki chain of Gion Bayashi folk music. They wore special white thin kimono with hakata obi (obi sash with hakata-ori textile) which was pink against a white background in Ushiromi musubi (a way of knotting the obi sash) style. In their hands they hold an uchiwa fan with crests of the Gion festival and the Yasaka shrine.

This year Maiko Kikushino was spotted wearing Yakko Shimada for the first time. This hairtyle is reserved for the senior maiko but in Miyagawacho, when a girl is close to her mizuage she can get a special permission to start switching to more senior kimono and hanakanzashi. Her main hairstyle will remain Warshinobu until after the mizuage.

After the dance, guests were able to make memorable photos with members from Hanafusa okiya.

This year's performers were Geiko Kikutsuru, Geiko Kikumaru, Maiko Kikune and Maiko Kikushino

Storytime this coming Wednesday at 7 am slt (^_^)

We invite you to come and enjoy refreshing moment with us on the river as an ancient tale of life under the sea is presented by Kikushino chan. The soothing sounds of the Kamo river will enhance the stories effect. We hope you will be able to join with us on this underwater tale.  We are very excited to see you all ^_^

DATE & LOCATION:
Wednesday, 29th July @ 7:00 a.m.
Kamo Kawa Riverboat - Kyoto Kagai

LM: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Kyoto/38/121/27

Gion Matsuri (Konchiki Ondo) coming this week!

To mark the end of Gion Matsuri celebrations, Maiko san from Miyagawacho Hanamachi will perform special dance called Konchiki ondo at the Yasaka Jinja pavilion. We welcome You and we also welcome your friends and family to join us on this special day in Kyoto Kagai sim.

Date: Friday, 24th of July

Time: 10.30 am slt
After the performance photos with Maiko san can be taken :)

LM: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Kyoto/167/237/34

P.S. If you would like to have poster, please contact Geiko Kikumaru(belliebeth) in Second Life, she will be happy to help you. For this year's Gion Matsuri poster was chosen Maiko Kikushino of Hanafusa okiya (SL).