Geiko & Maiko

June 2019: Maiko Umehina (Umeno Okiya) of Kamishichiken in the gardens of the Konkaikōmyō-ji Temple in Kyoto.

June 2019: Maiko Fukuna (Kawayoshi Okiya) of Miyagawacho performing a dance.

May 2019: Maiko Kanohisa (Kanoya Okiya) of Gion Higashi celebrated her 17th birthday recently! Happy belated birthday Kanohisa!

May 2019: Maiko Hidekano (Masamiya Okiya) and Maiko Mitsuhana (Tanmika Okiya) of Pontocho posing for a picture after a Kamogawa Odori performance.

During the time of the Kamogawa Odori, there is a photo corner where guests can take pictures with or of two Maikos from Pontocho.

The Kawahia Okiya from Miyagawacho has debuted a new Minarai! Her name is Kanasue (叶季) and her Misedashi will take place in 4 to 6 weeks. This is already the second girl Kawahisa will be debuting this year, which is rare, since they are a pretty small okiya. It’s looking good for them!

Well, Chikasaya and Chikaharu debuted over a year before Chikasome, so it makes sense that they became senior earlier. Chikasome has been a Maiko for almost 2 and a half years at this point, so she probably will become a senior this summer.

And I do agree that Chikasaya looks young, but that's partly just because she's really small and petite. I don't know how old she is exactly, but since she is a senior, she's at least 18. Chikasome might also have debuted young and still be 17, I don't know that.

And nothing has been confirmed regarding Toshiemi's Erikae, but if it does happen, it will probably take place at the end of the year.

May 2019: Maiko Kanako (Kawahisa Okiya) of Miyagawacho throwing the first pitch during a baseball game at the Koshei Stadium.

It’s a tradition for a Maiko or Geiko from Miyagawacho to throw the first pitch during a Hanshin Tigers baseball game once a year! Last year, now retired Geiko Kimihiro was chosen to do it.

Don’t get confused by Kanako’s kanzashi by the way: She’s wearing her January kanzashi because it features lucky motifs and a small Hanshin Tigers flag is pinned to it!

Baseball is one of the most popular sports in Japan, alongside Sumo, Judo and soccer. They have a unique tradition when it comes to throwing first pitches: The batter is supposed to swing and miss the ball on purpose!

May 2019: Famous Geiko Marika (Tsurui Okiya) of Gion Kobu hosting a tea ceremony.

May 2019: Maiko Mamesumi (Ninben Okiya) of Gion Kobu performing Kurokami, “black hair”. It’s a special dance that is almost exclusively performed during a Maiko’s sakkou period.

A “sakkou period” are the two to three weeks before a Maiko has her Erikae and becomes a Geiko. She wear the special, elaborate sakkou hairstyle (very well visible in the picture above), and wears a special, self-designed kanzashi consisting of lucky motifs. They also wear special outfits, but those depend on the customs of the kagai. In Gion Kobu, Maiko wear a formal black kimono, a golden obi and a mostly white collar.

At the end of their sakkou period, the end of the girl’s bun is symbolically cut off to signify her transition from Maiko to Geiko, from girl to woman.

Mamesumi's Erikae will take place on the 30th of May! It's the first Erikae from Ninben/Shibata since Mamesome's in February of 2013.

9th of May 2019: Misedashi of Maiko Fukusono from the Shigemori Okiya of Miyagawacho!

Maiko Fukusono is one of the first two Maiko to debut in the new Reiwa Era, alongside Maiko Mameaya of Gion Kobu. Fukusono’s Misedashi was actually postponed by Shigemori’s okaasan, so that Fukusono wouldn’t be the last Maiko to debut in the Heisei Era, but the first Maiko to debut in the Reiwa Era. What a nice sentiment!

Fukusono is the second Maiko to debut from Shigemori this year, her older sister Fukunori debuted in February. They had no new debuts since Koen in January of 2016, so this year is already looking great for them! Fukusono is also the first imouto of Shigemori’s youngest Geiko, Fukuchō (second picture)! Before that, Fukuhiro or Kofuku always played the role of onee-san, but now there is one more young Geiko to take that role.

Fukusono is very cute and makes a great pair with her sisters Fukunori, who has a similar cute look. Fukusono actually reminds me a bit of Geiko Tomitsuyu of Gion Higashi on her early years, so it’s going to be interesting to see how she progresses!

Congratulations on your debut Fukusono, and all the best wishes for your career!

9th of May 2019: Misedashi of Maiko Mameaya from the Ninben Okiya of Gion Kobu!

Mameaya is one of the two first Maiko to debut in the new Reiwa period, alongside Fukusono of Miyagawacho who also had her debut on May 9th. Mameaya is the imouto of senior Geiko Mameya, who is also the onee-san of Maiko Mamesaya. She is the fifth currently active Maiko from Shibata/Ninben, but Mamesumi will have her Erikae on the 30th, so this day is an extra happy occasion for the okiya!

In picture 2, you can see Mameaya surrounded by most of her family. Back row: Geiko, Emino, Geiko Mamewaka, Geiko Mamemaru Middle row: Maiko Mameyui, Maiko Mamesaya, Maiko Mamesumi, Maiko Mametama Front row: Geiko Mameryō, Geiko Mameya, Mameaya herself, Geiko and okaasan Mamehiro and Geiko Mameka

Mameaya herself is quite tall, even without okobo, which makes her stand out. I’m sure that her onee-san Mameya will help her become popular in no time!

Congratulations on your debut Mameaya, and all the best wishes for your career1

Satsuki and Marika are very close and certainly are a lot like sisters, but Satsuki never really took her under her wings; Satsuki was still as Maiko herself when Marika debuted. Satsuki herself is actually the first imouto of Sayaka; Satsuki had her Misedashi on the same day as Sayaka had her Erikae.