January 30th, 2025: Congratulations to Kyoto's newest geiko! Maya (真矢) of Minoyae (美の八重) in Gion Kobu is celebrating her erikae! She is the first geimaiko to celebrate a major milestone this year and the first (and only) imōto of former geiko Mao (真生), also of Minoyae, to turn her collar. This celebration was made special by the fact that Maya is wearing one of Mao's kuromontsuki that she gifted to Minoyae for Maya to wear for this event! Mao was even present at the okiya for the erikae, further showing that the bonds of sisterhood are never really broken even after one leaves the profession. Her outfit features all season flowers and partitions with a golden pine obi ^^ おめでとうさんどす真矢さん ^o^! Image is courtesy of Geiko Mihoko.

















