#mamesuzu

[geimei]

Kotohajime 2017: Sisters Maiko Mameaki, Mamekinu, Mameryuu and Mameharu behind their older sister Geiko Mamesuzu on their way through their district.

During Kotohajime, which takes place in every kagai of Kyoto every 13th of December, Maiko and Geiko visit their teachers to thank them for their service. 

They also receive new dance fans for the new year by their dance teachers and visit their most frequented ochaya to thank their proprietresses as well. 

Source: 和泉屋旅館 on Instagram

[oiran-geisha]

Misedashi of the new Tama girl! The maiko Mameaki, she is under the wings of the geiko Mamesuzu! She looks very very neat and cute! Good luck Aki-san! (Source)

[oiran-geisha]

Oirangeisha’s high hopes for the 2016 girls.

I told you my opinion and my hopes on my new favorite girls who have had their misedashi this year. It’s not very objective because I don’t speak about some of them. Also this is just a quick opinion nothing too serious I don’t claim to know those girls.

1/Mamekinu, debuted in February under Mamesuzu of Tama okiya. She is the following of the popular duo Kiku&Fuji so I’m quite interesed to see how she gonna handle this. I think she do have her chances she seems pretty lively and comfortable! (Source)

2/Mitsuki, debuted in March under Satsuki of Tsurui okiya. This is a super lucky girl, she debuted under the protection of the most popular geisha five years in the row! I do think that as a Tsurui girl she will become as popular than her sisters! Can’t wait to see her progress! (Source)

3/Kohana, debuted in May under Kofumi of Masuume okiya. She is my favorite girl of this year, she seems to be such a sweetheart! She also seems to be quiite demanded and since she is the first maiko in Masuume since 8 years(!!!) make her quite impressive to me! (Source)

4&5/ Umehina and Umekana, debuted in July for Hina-san and September for Kana-san and on the Umeno okiya. I do look forward these two girls since they give such a fresh breath to the Umeno okiya. Umekana is particulary near and dear to me heart since she looks super adorable and dedicated! (Source)

6/Masano, debuted in December under Masami of Man okiya. Masano is a new addition to Gion Higashi so it’s super pleasant to see! Also the Man okiya seems to get back to business with Masaki and Masano! Super happy to see her evolve! Wishing her the best! (Source)

[geimaiko]

Mamesuzu And The Silver Feathers

One very kind Anon requested a look into Mamesuzu's emerald hiki with "gold and silver feathers". Now this one, i instantly remembered and safe to say, this is one of my all time favorite hikis. So gladly i wanted to write about it. Let's go!

The first picture of Mamesuzu surrounded by her little sisters is one of the more well known of hers because of the touching gesture of humility: These lavishly dressed women draped in silk, bowing their heads in deep respect of each other. It went around the world. Making the emerald green iromontsuki famous.

I do know that it's very hard to peel your eyes away from Mamefuji in pictures so let's proceed with a more intimate shot of the hiki.

It is rather difficult to find shots of Mamesuzu out and about alone wearing this particular hiki. Usually the shots will feature her little family of imouto, Mamesuzu being a prolific onesan.

Why?

Because the emerald green iromontsuki gets its most prominent outing during Hatsuyori.

Taking place on January 13th, Geiko and Maiko dress in their most fabulous hikis and make their greeting rounds after paying their respects to the iemoto of the Inoue school of dance. A unique tradition of Gion Kobu, the kagai with the most successful Geimaiko, so subsequently we can safely say that these can be considered the most luxurious hikis in Japan.

Quite evidently Mamesuzu's gorgeous piece has received this level of international notoriety because it is exceptional in its vibrancy and motif. The silver and gold feathers in combination with this lush shade of emerald, the solid green in contrast with the filigree of the feathers evokes images of the peacock's plumage.

But... Are these really feathers?

Those fine little strokes come together to form branches of pine. A very common choice for winter hikizuri because it is an evergreen and sturdy even when holding up great amounts of snow. Now, Mamezusu opted for silver and golden branches of pine probably to give some more dimension to the color palette. And we all know the symbolic importance of the pine in Japan and specially for the karyukai.

Representing loyalty and strength pine has long been used to depict masculine traits. But Geiko and Maiko in Kyoto have managed their lives well with these attributes too and many like to incorporate this into their most legendary hikis. Balancing out the hyper feminine, flowery image they curate, the dichotomy of the gold and silver accentuates two aspects of the karyukai as well: While silver stands in for precision, a great trait for Fue expert Mamesuzu, gold would represent her prestige and wealth in a world made of luxury. But besides the very obvious symbolism, gold is deeply attached to Buddhist beliefs and used extensively in temple decorations, so the hue goes beyond its earthly connotations.

Going back to the pine once more, it was said to be the means of transportation for the gods during their descent to earth. Many legendary pines around Japan are linked to a deity or heavenly allegory. So in its golden form, it reaches almost peak spirituality in motifs.

Hautsuyori and the first season of the new year demands the most splendid pieces so this emerald treasure rightly deserves its spot in the limelight as it is just as beautiful as its wearer.

Sources: kwcphoto / 3gaikarahanataba.up.seesaa.net / Kind of Blue.

[taisakuraokiya-blog]

มกราคม 2561: ไมโกะ Mamekinu, ไมโกะ Mameaki, ไมโกะ Mameharu, ไมโกะ Mameryuu, และเกโกะ Mamesuzu (โอกิยะ Tama) จากเขต Gion Kobu ในวัน Hatsuyori

วัน Hatsuyori (初寄り) ในทุกๆ วันที่ 13 เดือนมกราคมของทุกปี เหล่าไมโกะและเกโกะจะแต่งตัวด้วยกิโมโนที่มีสีสันสดใสในวันนี้ และเดินทางไปขอบคุณอาจารย์และผู้เชี่ยวชาญด้านการร่ายรำประจำเขต

Source: zakohbou0480 on Instagram

[geimei]

December 2018: Geiko Mamesuzu (Tama Okiya) of Gion Kobu playing the shinobue.

Mamesuzu is known to be one of the best fue-players of Kyoto.

Source: Kenji Sawada on Instagram

[geimei]

August 2012: Geiko Mamesuzu (Tama Okiya) of Gion Kobu playing the shinobue at an ozashiki.

Mamesuzu-san has especially great talent for playing fue, traditional Japanese flutes, and is said to be the best fue-player in Gion Kobu.

Source: Freddy Monteiro on Flickr

[geisha-kai]

Misedashi - official debut of a new member of geisha community

Recently, two maiko "sisters" debuted in Gion Kobu - Mamefuji and Mamekiku. They share flower names (since Fuji means wisteria and Kiku means chrysanthemum) and the same big sister, Mamesuzu. For such occassion, the okiya hires a make up artist for a new girl who is also dressed with black formal kimono and two silver bira bira kanzashi.

(text: geisha-kai, photos: route207)