Geiko & Maiko

This is a blog about the Geisha world. I will mostly post about the Kyoto maiko and geiko, but I will try to post about Geisha of other Japanese cities as well. I will try to equally post about all 5 Geisha districts of Kyoto. The pictures posted here are not mine, unless otherwise noted. Each picture belongs to their respective owner, and I will add a link to the owners of each photo. If you have any questions about Geisha, feel free to ask :) My personal blog: weirdgirlwearingblack.tumblr.com

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June 2019: Maiko Umehina (Umeno Okiya) of Kamishichiken in the gardens of the Konkaikōmyō-ji Temple in Kyoto.

Source: Masanobu Kido on Instagram

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June 2019: Maiko Fukuna (Kawayoshi Okiya) of Miyagawacho performing a dance.

Source: Zoe Johnson on Instagram

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May 2019: Maiko Kanohisa (Kanoya Okiya) of Gion Higashi celebrated her 17th birthday recently! Happy belated birthday Kanohisa!

Source: Chuanlai on Instagram

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May 27th, 2019: Congratulations to Masako (槇沙子) of Nishimura (西村) in Gion Kobu on the occasion of her misedashi! She is the third imōto of the very successful and popular geiko Makiko (槇子), also of Nishimura, with whom she shares two kanji of her geimei. It was an extremely hot day and Masako was wearing an all season kuromontsuki that even has an extra hiyoku! Maiko and geiko are not allowed to wear ro outfits until June 1st, although the extra layers like the hiyoku, upper inner lining and sleeve lining are often removed during the months before and after summer. However, this change is not performed on kuromontsuki, so the June 1st date is hard set when it comes to formal outfits. Pictured with Masako are all of the current Nishimura maiko and geiko, including: Back row: Okasan Kumiko (玖見子), Asako (亜佐子), Miwako (美羽子), Masako (槇沙子), Mariko (槇里子), and Tomoko (朋子). From Row: Mihoko (美帆子), Makiko (槇子), Yukako (有佳子), and Mikako (実佳子). I think it’s really nice that all three of Makiko’s imōto (Tomoko, Mariko, and Masako) are all together in the picture! In Gion Kobu the onesan will not wear a kuromontsuki like her imōto, but rather will wear a houmongi for the event. With so many maiko hopefully the Nishimura okiya will continue to grow and prosper! おめでとうさんどす槇沙子ちゃん ^o^! Images are courtesy of Makiko, Kyotoq9, and No Name Misa.

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May 2019: Maiko Hidekano (Masamiya Okiya) and Maiko Mitsuhana (Tanmika Okiya) of Pontocho posing for a picture after a Kamogawa Odori performance.

During the time of the Kamogawa Odori, there is a photo corner where guests can take pictures with or of two Maikos from Pontocho.

Source: Pontocho's Official Instagram Account

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The Kawahia Okiya from Miyagawacho has debuted a new Minarai! Her name is Kanasue (叶季) and her Misedashi will take place in 4 to 6 weeks. This is already the second girl Kawahisa will be debuting this year, which is rare, since they are a pretty small okiya. It’s looking good for them!

Source: Kawahisa Okiya’s Official Instagram Account

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Do you think Chikasome is being left behind? Or she's just too young in comparison to her sisters? Chikasaya is already senior and she still looks very young. One more question: do you think Toshiemi become geiko this year?

Well, Chikasaya and Chikaharu debuted over a year before Chikasome, so it makes sense that they became senior earlier. Chikasome has been a Maiko for almost 2 and a half years at this point, so she probably will become a senior this summer.

And I do agree that Chikasaya looks young, but that's partly just because she's really small and petite. I don't know how old she is exactly, but since she is a senior, she's at least 18. Chikasome might also have debuted young and still be 17, I don't know that.

And nothing has been confirmed regarding Toshiemi's Erikae, but if it does happen, it will probably take place at the end of the year.

Edit: I have just found out that, sadly, Chikasome will be retiring very soon. I didn't know that yet when I made this post. That also explains why she was never promoted to a senior.

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Why doesn't Harutomi okiya have any maiko? How can they survive as an okiya with no one other than Miehina as a geiko?

Because they also have an ochaya that is quite successful! It seems like the okaasan prefers to focus on the ochaya than on getting trainees, which is a completely fine decision. Maybe they'll get a new trainee at some point in the future, they still always have that option.

[missmyloko]

May 14th, 2019: Congratulations to Asako (亜佐子) of Nishimura (西村) in Gion Kobu on the occasion of her misedashi! She is the second imōto of Yukako (有佳子), also of Nishimura, and the first of two maiko to debut from her okiya this month. Her kimono featured the Shōchikubai trio along with cranes and her obi was the lovely green-based pine one that Nishimura has used in the past as an interesting departure from the usual gold obi. Asako’s future looks very bright as the other imōto of her onesan, Mikako (実佳子), has been one of the most successful geimaiko in Gion Kobu since her debut. In the bottom left hand image you can see Asako and Yukako along with former geiko Kumiko (玖見子), who runs the Nishimura okiya along with its attached ochaya named Kumi (玖見). おめでとうさんどす亜佐子ちゃん ^o^! Images are courtesy of Kyotoq9, Makiko, and Emi Blue who allowed me to use some exclusive images ^^

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May 2019: Maiko Kanako (Kawahisa Okiya) of Miyagawacho throwing the first pitch during a baseball game at the Koshei Stadium.

It’s a tradition for a Maiko or Geiko from Miyagawacho to throw the first pitch during a Hanshin Tigers baseball game once a year! Last year, now retired Geiko Kimihiro was chosen to do it.

Don’t get confused by Kanako’s kanzashi by the way: She’s wearing her January kanzashi because it features lucky motifs and a small Hanshin Tigers flag is pinned to it!

Baseball is one of the most popular sports in Japan, alongside Sumo, Judo and soccer. They have a unique tradition when it comes to throwing first pitches: The batter is supposed to swing and miss the ball on purpose!

Source: Spoon & Tamago on Instagram

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May 2019: Famous Geiko Marika (Tsurui Okiya) of Gion Kobu hosting a tea ceremony.

Source: Masanobu Kido on Instagram

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May 2019: Maiko Mamesumi (Ninben Okiya) of Gion Kobu performing Kurokami, “black hair”. It’s a special dance that is almost exclusively performed during a Maiko’s sakkou period.

A “sakkou period” are the two to three weeks before a Maiko has her Erikae and becomes a Geiko. She wear the special, elaborate sakkou hairstyle (very well visible in the picture above), and wears a special, self-designed kanzashi consisting of lucky motifs. They also wear special outfits, but those depend on the customs of the kagai. In Gion Kobu, Maiko wear a formal black kimono, a golden obi and a mostly white collar.

At the end of their sakkou period, the end of the girl’s bun is symbolically cut off to signify her transition from Maiko to Geiko, from girl to woman.

Mamesumi's Erikae will take place on the 30th of May! It's the first Erikae from Ninben/Shibata since Mamesome's in February of 2013.

Source: takutanimoto on Instagram

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9th of May 2019: Misedashi of Maiko Fukusono from the Shigemori Okiya of Miyagawacho!

Maiko Fukusono is one of the first two Maiko to debut in the new Reiwa Era, alongside Maiko Mameaya of Gion Kobu. Fukusono’s Misedashi was actually postponed by Shigemori’s okaasan, so that Fukusono wouldn’t be the last Maiko to debut in the Heisei Era, but the first Maiko to debut in the Reiwa Era. What a nice sentiment!

Fukusono is the second Maiko to debut from Shigemori this year, her older sister Fukunori debuted in February. They had no new debuts since Koen in January of 2016, so this year is already looking great for them! Fukusono is also the first imouto of Shigemori’s youngest Geiko, Fukuchō (second picture)! Before that, Fukuhiro or Kofuku always played the role of onee-san, but now there is one more young Geiko to take that role.

Fukusono is very cute and makes a great pair with her sisters Fukunori, who has a similar cute look. Fukusono actually reminds me a bit of Geiko Tomitsuyu of Gion Higashi on her early years, so it’s going to be interesting to see how she progresses!

Congratulations on your debut Fukusono, and all the best wishes for your career!

Source 1: emi.blue33 on Instagram Source 2: Gion Hatanaka’s Official Instagram Account Source 3: emi.blue33 on Instagram

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9th of May 2019: Misedashi of Maiko Mameaya from the Ninben Okiya of Gion Kobu!

Mameaya is one of the two first Maiko to debut in the new Reiwa period, alongside Fukusono of Miyagawacho who also had her debut on May 9th. Mameaya is the imouto of senior Geiko Mameya, who is also the onee-san of Maiko Mamesaya. She is the fifth currently active Maiko from Shibata/Ninben, but Mamesumi will have her Erikae on the 30th, so this day is an extra happy occasion for the okiya!

In picture 2, you can see Mameaya surrounded by most of her family. Back row: Geiko, Emino, Geiko Mamewaka, Geiko Mamemaru Middle row: Maiko Mameyui, Maiko Mamesaya, Maiko Mamesumi, Maiko Mametama Front row: Geiko Mameryō, Geiko Mameya, Mameaya herself, Geiko and okaasan Mamehiro and Geiko Mameka

Mameaya herself is quite tall, even without okobo, which makes her stand out. I’m sure that her onee-san Mameya will help her become popular in no time!

Congratulations on your debut Mameaya, and all the best wishes for your career1

Source 1: 1020kiddo on Instagram Source 2: Geiko Mameryō’s Official Instagram Account Source 3: emi.blue33 on Instagram

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Not a question, but an answer! Someone wanted to know how Kanohiro became a maiko, and I asked her this in March. She said that she was talent scouted at a festival for traditional arts in her home town (I assume she was dancing), and approached by the representative from the okiya.

Thanks a lot for this insight, this is really helpful and interesting! It makes sense that someone as talented and experienced as Kanohiro would have been scouted. Scouting isn't super common, but it does still happen! If the okaasan of an okiya or someone working for her happens to meet a very promising girl, they definitely approach them and their parents.

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Marika is Sayaka's imouto. If Sayaka is still active, why did Satsuki take Marika under her wing and mentor her?

Satsuki and Marika are very close and certainly are a lot like sisters, but Satsuki never really took her under her wings; Satsuki was still as Maiko herself when Marika debuted. Satsuki herself is actually the first imouto of Sayaka; Satsuki had her Misedashi on the same day as Sayaka had her Erikae.

Satsuki's first and up until now only imouto is Maiko Mitsuki, who had her Misedashi in March of 2016, when Satsuki had already been a Geiko for over a year.

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For a coming out ceremony, what color would a maikos collar and obiage be? Also, would they wear zoris?

The collar would be a mainly red, with some white to make some sort of seasonal motifs, and the same goes for the obiage. And Maiko only rarely wear zori to Misedashi, they usually wear okobo, unless it is raining, and if they do, the zoris are red.