Mylokoville

Wearing kuromontsuki shows their dedication to their gei, but I agree that August in Kyoto has never been as hot as it is now. The only time in recent memory that the Gion Kobu girls were allowed to wear casual kimono was during covid, as they didn't want to spread germs with otokoshi going to so many okiya to dress. It's up to the kabukai on whether they'd ever change that tradition, so we'll just have to wait and see if the temperature will play a role in the future ^^

If you're ever curious, check out the "Kanji Of" tabs up top (must be on a desktop to view). The Kanji of Kamishichiken tab will let you know about the seven current maiko that are active there ^^

Yes! Hanako and Kokinu will be having their erikae in autumn and there's still many more debuts to come! As for other kagai, Tomieri in Gion Higashi will be having her erikae prior to the Gion Odori, so please look forward to that ^^!

I believe you're referring to Sansankudo (三々九度). Meaning "Three By Three (Nine) Exchange," it's the ritual exchange of sake cups that binds a geiko and maiko in an onesan/imōto relationship. A set of small cups, followed by medium cups, and then large cups containing a small amount of sake are drank by each participant. This completes the ritual and they are bound in sisterhood ^^

Gion Kobu minarai never wear trailing hikizuri unless they're performing the tea ceremony at the Miyako Odori. Kamishichiken and Miyagawa Cho minarai will wear regular maiko outfits after 3 days while Gion Higashi will wear hikizuri with a handara obi. Pontocho and Gion Kobu will wear minarai kimono, which do not have dragging hems like hikizuri but do have tucks into the short sleeves ^^

You can check out the entire list of Kyoto's ochaya here, which includes Gion Higashi at the bottom. I think you'll recognize many familiar names ^^

Jikata geiko are very elusive and don't usually do many public events, so it's hard to find pictures of them. Since Mahori is now considered one of the senior jikata geiko in Gion Kobu, she doesn't have her picture taken unless it's for an odori, so I really can't help you there, sorry ^^;

Shigemori opened in 2005 with former geimaiko Fukuemi and her mother as its current okasan. Shigemori has a great online presence and is one of the known okiya that will allow girls to apply directly to them instead of going through the Ookini Zaidan. They're quite large and very wealthy, so they can manage many geimaiko at once under their roof ^^

Yes, it is for the Kitano Odori ^^

Of course! She is former geimaiko Mameharu (まめ春) of Tama (多麻) in Gion Kobu. Her umami sauce is DELICIOUS ^^!

Image courtesy of Man okiya. The red kimono on the right is being worn by Kanosuzu of Kanoya, which features patterns inside of ginkgo leaves. It's quite cute! The bottom one has bamboo while the top one has blue waves. The omission of Tomieri with the maiko does confirm that her erikae will take place before the event, so please look forward to it ^^

I purchased most of the Nihongami No Sekai books used as they had been printed a long time ago (I did buy the newest one new though when it came out in 2016). As for most geimaiko books, I either purchase them on Amazon Japan or Yahoo! Japan Auctions (YJA) ^^

Yes, they do change them to match the seasons! However, new maiko and geiko will use kago with tenugui with their names embroidered on them for a few months after their misedashi/erikae ^^

Not totally. Everyone becomes jimae at their own pace, and sometimes it takes longer for others ^^

Jimae geiko are allowed to switch their registration to where ever they please in Gion Kobu without penalty, so it seems as though Shino decided that she wanted Mamechizu to oversee her bookings and moved her registration there. Hisano is now currently the only geiko registered at Fukushima, but she won't be alone for too long (hint). Shino gets to keep her geimei due to the no penalty thing ^^

You missed the autumn dances in some districts! Otherwise, you were spot on! What makes it so expensive is that each one is custom made by the finest artisans as they're made to last a very long time and use the most expensive materials possible, which usually include real gold and hand embroidery. The motifs are all painted in Kyo Yuzen too, which is laborious before you even get to the rest of the add ons. Kuromontsuki take months to be completed, so all in all, it's just a very special (and expensive) garment ^^

It depends on weather and seniority. Usually the most junior maiko wear okobo whereas senior maiko can choose between okobo and zori (zori are more comfortable). However, when it rains it's not very safe to wear okobo, so maiko will then all wear zori ^^