In March, the first signs of spring are appearing in Japan, and geiko and maiko are busy preparing for the odori season. Maikos’ kanzashi are a veritable garden of blooms, hinting at the warmer weather and the upcoming cherry blossom season.
Maiko kanzashi motifs for march include narcissus, peony, peach blossom, and rapeseed (canola) blossoms with silver, pink, or blue butterflies. Certain varieties of rapeseed are cultivated for their oil-producing seeds, and their blossoms are actually edible*.
Senior maiko can choose to wear any of those kanzashi motifs, though narcissus, peach blossom, and rapeseed blossoms are the most popular. Junior maiko tend to wear exclusively rapeseed blossoms with butterflies, though some older junior maiko may wear narcissus. Peony is the rarest motif of the four and can be worn by junior and senior maiko.
*if you decide to forage for edible rapeseed, please research beforehand, as not all varieties are edible.