Telephones & Postcards @imanoctothorpe - Tumblr Blog

December 19th, 2024: A new maiko is born! Tomikoma (富胡麻) of Tomikiku (富菊) in Gion Higashi is celebrating her misedashi! Like most girls in Gion Higashi, she is debuting without an onesan, but she has seven older maiko to look up to, including okiya mate Tomieri. It was raining today in Kyoto, so Tomikoma could only make quick introductions in her kuromontsuki before it was time to don an ama coat and go out and about in the neighborhood for her rounds. Her outfit features red cranes among green pine and white waves with a golden karabana obi ^^ おめでとうさんどす富胡麻ちゃん ^o^! Image is courtesy of JP Kanirkan.

missmyloko

November 14th, 2024: Congratulations are in order for Kyoto's newest geiko! Mameaya (まめ彩) of Ninben (亻) in Gion Kobu is celebrating her erikae! She was the most senior maiko in her district and the last active maiko at Ninben (for now). She suits the geiko look so well and her height can finally be appreciated in a geiko's attire! Her outfit features cypress fans, flower carts, and partitions while her obi features multicolored cranes ^^ おめでとうさんどすまめ彩さん ^o^! Image is courtesy of former geimaiko Mameryo.

missmyloko

Could you tell me a bit more about the kimono patterns of the left geiko and middle maiko? I love the hiragana on geiko-san’s, never seen anything like it! https://www.instagram.com/reel/C88exEEv_Gv/?igsh=dnMycmxteHMzbWww

(Also do you know their names by any chance? I recognize Mameaya on the right but not the other two)

The geiko on the left is Mameryū (まめ柳) and the maiko in the middle is Asuha (明日葉), both of Tama (多麻) in Gion Kobu. Mameryū's kimono features a poem or song among blue clouds while Asuha's features pine and the shells and box of a game of Kai Awase (貝合わせ). The game of kai awase involves shells that have a picture on one side and a poem on the other. The game is played like the Western game "Memory" wherein you need to flip the shells over and match the correct picture to its matching poem. It's a somewhat popular motif in the karyukai as the game used to only be owned by nobility due to its high production cost, so it exudes an air of luxury ^^

missmyloko

Today's the day! The Guide To Kimono has officially released online and in bookstores worldwide! Thank you so much to everyone who has supported me on this journey of publishing the first English guide to kimono identification, dating, and pricing! I could not have done it without you! For those of you who have purchased a copy already, thank you! I'd love to hear your thoughts and reviews! For those of you who are thinking about purchasing a copy, thank you as well! I'm so happy that you'd even consider purchasing my work! Just a reminder that you can do so through the links up in the tab above, or go search through online or in person retailers in your country ^^

missmyloko

Hey! I took some photos of Mametama and Mameaya (I believe) at the Kani Kaku Ni ceremony (? unsure of the right term) on 11/08/23. I'd love to share them with you if you're interested!

Sure! I'd love to see them! The event is called Kanikakuni Sai ^^

imanoctothorpe

This was one of the best experiences of my life, so I hope that anyone that sees this gets as much enjoyment out of this as I did ☺️

#geiko #maiko #mametama #mameaya #kyoto #Gion #Gion kobu #hanamachi #kanikakunisai #kanikakuni

missmyloko

Hey! I took some photos of Mametama and Mameaya (I believe) at the Kani Kaku Ni ceremony (? unsure of the right term) on 11/08/23. I'd love to share them with you if you're interested!

Sure! I'd love to see them! The event is called Kanikakuni Sai ^^

imanoctothorpe