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Diana Ross for Saint Laurent Spring 2024. Photographed by David Sims.

Odamoto And The Love For Snow

Last request asked for a deeper insight into Odamoto's fabulous blue snow hiki. And to be honest, i didn't remember this one, even though it indeed has become iconic too. Even though snow hikis are usually a crown jewel in many okiya's collection, there is only so many ways to make a gorgeous thing even more beautiful. But i did feel bad having forgotten about this stunning piece, it shouldn't have happened as it can be considered a vital part of the success of the picture above. But also because it was worn by legendary Katsuno back when she was one of the most popular Maiko of her time.

And this image rose to fame, Katsuno showing her sleeves, lifting her arms like an aliferous being in this magic setting and striking lighting. We see her in one showstopping piece: Royal blue with a tranquil winter scene, soft and fluffy piles of white snow quietly mounting on delicate branches along an icy shore. Some hints of color are provided by pink plum blossoms braving the pressure of increasing weight on them, the early messengers of spring representing the sturdy beauty of self reliance. Bamboo also adds some pops of fresh green here and there but they too are dusted with the crisp white of snow.

In between the first photo of Katsuno and the ones on the bottom of Katsutomo and Katsuhina, we see almost two decades pass. And a very enduring motif indeed, as it seems almost unchanged throughout a whole generation. Some things are built to last, aren't they?

But these are not the same hikizuri. Katsuno wore one very beautiful one and sadly i have not managed to find any other photo's of Odamoto's Maiko wear it.

Katsutomo and Katsuhina wear a new one with a very special twist: Kinkaku-ji castle or the Golden Pavillon has made the landscape recognizable, now we know where the scene is set: Built on a large pond on Ashikaga Yoshimitsu's former retirement complex in northern Kyoto, the gold leaf clad structure attests to increasing Buddhist influences at the beginning of the Muromachi period. After Yoshimitsu's death, the compound was turned into a Buddhist temple and the whole strolling gardens around the temple dedicated to Zen.

When visiting the Golden Pavillon visitors will usually take a tour around the gardens with various stops to view the castle from different angles. So the view we enjoy on the hiki is very true to life as there is indeed a perspective with the lush pine tree, just like on the kimono too! And even though many people visit the sights of the Kinkaku-ji in their lifetime it is safe to say that not many get to view it on Odamoto's amazing snow hiki in person.

Sources: Kofuji / Kyosanpo / Yuyumi310 / Yuko Sakata / 森康信

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tag yourself; i’m rebecca

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Big little ice energy

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October 31st, 2020: Congratulations to Kyoto’s newest geiko! Kohana (小花) of Masuume (桝梅) in Gion Kobu has made her debut as a geiko on a beautiful sunny day in Kyoto! She is the imōto of the famous Kofumi (小富美), and should she stay she may end up having many imōto of her own. Kohana is such a stunning beauty and the geiko look truly suits her! おめでとうさんどす小花さん ^o^! Images are courtesy of My Kyoto Photo [1] [2].

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October 2020: Mitsuki (美月) of Tsurui (つる居) in Gion Kobu is now wearing the sakkō hairstyle! Her outfit is a lovely combination of a kimono featuring cranes flying over pine and waves (which her onesan Satsuki wore during her sakkō period) and a golden obi featuring shippō (seven lucky treasures). Her kanzashi features a gorgeous purple tailed crane holding pine needles that’s flying over a crescent moon, just like her namesake! Her erikae will be on October 19th ^^ Images are courtesy of Kazubon.

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January 2019: Aoi-tayuu, of Suehiro okiya, performing at an ozashiki in Okayama prefecture.

Source: https://twitter.com/ayaka8700119/status/1085407666359410689?s=20

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Sparrow beside Bamboo in Snow - Kamisaka Sekka

Japanese 1866-1942

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Woman Writing a Letter

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文を書く美人

Koikawa Harumachi II

1789–1804 (about Kansei to Kyôwa era)

MEDIUM/TECHNIQUEHanging scroll; ink and color on paper

DIMENSIONSImage: 43.2 x 43 cm (17 x 16 15/16 in.)

CREDIT LINEWilliam Sturgis Bigelow Collection

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Several pieces on the Medicine Seller’s outfit, especially the jewelry, bandana, and mouth markings, bear more than a passing resemblance to the traditional clothing worn by women of the Ainu indigenous group of Japan.

For those unaware, the Ainu are an ethnicity that were conquered by the Japanese in the 9th century. The majority of modern-day Ainu reside in the northern province of Hokkaido. The Japanese government finally passed legislature recognizing the Ainu as an indigenous people in April of this year. Watch for them during next years Olympic Opening Ceremony in Tokyo, as the Japanese newspaper the Asahi Shimbun has reported they will participate.

Traditionally, among other accessories, Ainu women wear embroidered headbands called matanpushi, a necklace that reaches down to the chest called a tamasay (or a shitoki if it has a medallion), and dark mouth tattoos, starting at the upper lip and being gradually made bigger as the woman ages, all items that resemble effects worn by the Medicine Seller. That dark purple marking on his mouth is probably literally a tattoo, since it doesn’t disappear with the rest of his markings when he transforms.

Why the Ainu? It’s hard to say, but it might be a reference to his age. The Medicine Seller is older than any human alive, so he might be accordingly dressed to match a people that have been around since long before modern Japan came into existence. It’s possible he’s Ainu himself, but I don’t find that likely, seeing as how he’s not wearing actual Ainu clothing but rather items that resemble what they wear, i.e. the “shitoki” is actually a mirror, the “matanpushi” is actually a bandana, etc.

He’s also wearing other accessories, such as a woman’s obi and a pair of merchant geta, that are definitely Japanese in origin.

missmyloko

October 30th, 2019: Toshiemi (とし恵美) of Komaya (駒屋) in Miyagawa Cho has switched to the sakkō hairstyle ahead of her erikae! The highlight of her outfit is definitely her kanzashi, which features a STUNNING golden phoenix! This is definitely one of my favorite designs now ^o^! Her erikae is just over a week away now on November 7th ^^ Images are courtesy of Komaya Okiya and Ochaya.