#otokoshi

[missmyloko]

Random Fact of The Week 29/10

This is a continuation of an ask as I thought that it would be really interesting to feature here. The following otokoshi are assigned to these specific okiya in Gion Kobu: Onii-san (the youngest, I can’t remember his name!) Odamoto (小田本) Fukushima (福嶋) Nakagishi (中支志) Kojima-san (the middle one) Arai (新井) Tsurui (つる居) Tama (多麻) Nishimura (西村) Ninben (亻) Shibata (柴田) Minoyae (美の八重) Oji-san (The eldest otokoshi, whose name escapes me too!) Hiroshimaya (廣島屋) Masuume (桝梅) Kojima-san is currently the most active otokoshi as he’s still fairly young and the fastest dresser. According to an interview with him, he can dress a maiko in 5 minutes! 

[geisha-kai]

March 2017: formal debut of maiko Tatsuha and Yuriha of the Tama okiya in Gion Kobu by  kwc_photo on Instagram

༼ つ ◕◡◕ ༽つ  Geisha-kai on P a t r e o n || Instagram

[geimei]

Today in Kamishichiken: Erikae of Geiko Katsuna from the Daimonji Okiya!

Famous Katsuna finally became a Geiko! She had her Misedashi on the 15th of November 2012, so she was a Maiko for 4 years and 7 months.

Katsuna did somethinng quite unusual: Although she is a great dancer and most Maiko go on to become tachikata Geiko (dancers), Katsuna will work as a jikata Geiko (musician) from now on.

She has played the violin since she was little and was always interested in classcial music, so she probably decided that she loves music more than dance, and wanted to focus on it. Jikata Geiko are also in high demand, especially in small Kamishichiken, where currently only six of them are active.

In Kamishichiken, Jikata Geiko don’t wear the katsura (wig), white oshiroi and hikizuri; instead they were the simple yōhatsu hairstyle, subdued makeup and a more simple kimono, so we probably won’t see Katsuna wearing oshiroi anytime soon.

Katsuna looks so happy and proud and the simple look really suits her, she looks very elegant and mature! I’m sure that she made the right decision, if it makes her so happy! And it certainly won’t make her less famous and successful, she’ll be so busy as a jikata!

Congratulations Katsuna, and all the best wishes for your further career!

Source 1: 森康信 on Instagram Source 2: Nara No Fuku on Instagram Source 3: 森 康信 on Twitter

[geisha-kai]

May 2016: second day of misedashi (formal debut) of maiko Koeri in Gion Kobu by  _tsuyuko_ on Instagram

All debuting maiko and geiko are escorted on the streets by their kimono dressers (otokoshi). The gentlemen are considered as geiko’s and maiko’s best friends. 

[geisha-kai]

Maiko Fukunae from Miyagawacho talking about her job - watch the whole video shot by DISCOVER KYOTO

Fukunae is now 19, she will become a geiko within 2 years. She is considered as one of the most intelligent and beautiful maiko around. She lives in the Shigemori okiya with geiko Fukuhiro (her official older sister), Kofuku, maiko Koyoshi, Fukucho, Koharu, Fukutama and Fukuhana.

[geisha-kai]

“Komomo, a geiko (geisha), looks at herself in the mirror at home while a dresser helps her get ready to go to evening appointments in the Miyagawa district of Kyoto, Japan. Kichi, her dresser, holds the shoulders of the kimono to line them up properly, then pulls down the collar to reveal the nape of her neck, traditionally thought sexy in Japan. A dark red sash follows, then a pad tied in place over her stomach.“

- by Dalje.com

[geisha-kai]

Debut of maiko Katsusen (5th December 2013) by Estibaliz Mugeta on Flickr

She took first steps off her okiya and greeted the photographers and supporters

[geisha-kai]

Debut of maiko Mamefuji by WATASHAJI - BLOG. Click for more!

Mamefuji was led around by her kimono dresser - he announced her official debut as a maiko. At the Nishimura okiya, they have met a cute shiba dog named Chiro who is a long term inhabitant in Nishimura house!