Spotlight on Tatsuji/Kikuji please!!!
Kikuji (喜久次) has been a Hôkan for over 10 years now. His blog has been running since 2009. During this time, six Maiko and four Geiko debuted in his Okiya. NHK once produced a dorama with Kikuji serving as model for the main character. Before Tatsuji's debut, he was the only Hôkan in whole Japan (his equivalents in Tokyo prefer to be called Taikomochi), making his profession about as rare as that of a Tayû (2 Hôkan+6 Taikomochi in 2019, compared with 8 Tayû and hundreds of Geiko and Maiko).
Tatsuji (辰次) debuted on the same day as Geiko Kikumomo (喜久桃) on 1. June 2017. He became popular quickly, participating in photoshoots with Kyoto GeiMaiko in July 2018 and March 2019.
In order to be a Hôkan in Gifu, the minimum age is 17. Half a year of training before the debut. Arts that are taught include dance (i. e. Kin no Shachihoko), Ozashiki games (i. e. Konpira fune fune) and instruments (Narimono, three kinds of Fue, Shamisen).
Sources: recruiting and training info https://profile.ameba.jp/ameba/kikuzy/
Kin no Shachihoko https://ameblo.jp/kikuzy/entry-12290331093.html
Konpira fune fune https://ameblo.jp/greenrose1/entry-12350485544.html
Picture with Kikuhina + Tatsuji Misedashi from my harddrive
Photoshoot 2018 https://www.instagram.com/p/BlhPmJ9lAQQ/
Photoshoot 2019 https://www.instagram.com/p/BvGDCQugU2j/
Kikuji+Tatsuji Kuromontsuki https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASL1335S9L13OHGB002.html
