#handara obi

[geimei]

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

[geimei]

Kimishō (Honjo Okiya) of Miyagawacho has made her debut as a Minarai today! She will have her Misedashi on the 23rd of April, about a week after the Kyō Odori has ended, and her onee-san will be Geiko Kimiaya.

Source: Patosan on Instagram

[geimei]

There’s a new Minarai in Gion Kobu! Her name is Suzuno (鈴乃) and she is from the Fukushima Okiya! She was first photographed last March, so she has been around for about a year. The date of her Misedashi is not known yet, but it will probably take place in late March.

Source: nakayosi4141 - Blog

[geimei]

February 2019: Minarai Masanao (Man Okiya) of Gion Higashi showing off her Minarai-ensemble consisting of a shorter than usual hikizuri and handara obi, half the length of a Maiko’s darari obi.

Masanao’s obi features a motif of many colorful butterflies, which is very fitting for such a young girl. Man’s kamon is also a butterfly, which makes it even more appropriate.

Source: gionrinken on Instagram

[geimei]

January 2019: Minarai Fukunori (Shigemori Okiya) of Miyagawacho performing Gion Kouta at an ozashiki.

At the beginning of their careers, Minarai and Maiko only know a few dances; their repertoire expands significantly over time. The most important basic dances are Gion Kouta and Kyo no Shiki.

Source: Patosan on Instagram

[geimei]

October 2018: Fresh Minarai Ichiume (市うめ) (Ichi Okiya) of Kamishichiken on her customary introductory rounds to ochaya and okiya in her district on the day of her debut.

The mysterious, supposed Ichihiro has been found! Ichiume was already doing her tameshiyui during the Bon Odori, and it was thus assumed that she was a Minarai already, and that her name would be Ichihiro.

After hearing nothing of her for about 2 months, and then the debut of a different Maiko from Ichi, it was assumed that she had retired before becoming a Maiko, but luckily, that was wrong, and we will soon see her debut, under a different name than expected!

After losing three Maiko and three Geiko just this year, and losing both it’s most popular Maiko and Geiko, Kamishichiken seems to be recovering. They’ve had one Erikae and, including Ichiume’s, will have at least 5 Misedashi this year, which is huge for small Kamishichiken!

Kamishichiken was hit especially hard by the decrease in Geimaiko numbers starting in the early 1980s, so having so many debuts in a time span of just a little over a year is very impressive! Last year, there were three Misedashi, and all of these girls are still around, so the district’s overall development is positive and it seems like there is a new generation of Maiko in Kamishichiken ready to take the spotlight!

I can’t wait for Ichiume’s Misedashi, we’ve been waiting for a long time and she is so adorable!

Source: Kyoto Insider on Instagram

[geimei]

June 2018: Sisters Minarai Mameyui, Maiko Mametama and Maiko Mamesumi (Ninben Okiya) of Gion Kobu at the Gion Hojoe Festival.

The Gion Hojoe Festival takes place only in Gion Kobu every 3rd of June. Two Maiko release a bucket of fish into the Shirakawa Stream to show their appreciation for all live forms.

While usually only two Maiko take part, this time Minarai Mameyui, whose Misedashi is on June 6th, also participated.

Source: ヨシヤン on Instagram

[geimei]

May 2018: Minarai Makoto of Pontocho on her way to an engagement through one of Pontocho’s signature small alleyways.

Her professional name, okiya affilation and the date of Misedashi still aren’t known. She’s also still wearing the interesting chigomage hairstyle.

Source: Rusty Shackleford on Instagram