#danmitsu

June 2018: Sisters Jikata Geiko Danmitsu and Maiko Koeri (Hiroshimaya Okiya) of Gion Kobu on their way to a joint engagement.

Februrary 2018: Jikata Geiko Danmitsu (Hiroshimaya Okiya) of Gion Kobu on her way to an engagement.

November 2017: Jikata Geiko Danmitsu (Hiroshimaya Okiya) of Gion Kobu on her way to an engagement.

October 2017: Freshly-debuted Jikata Geiko Danmitsu (Hiroshimaya Okiya) of Gion Kobu flanked by her onee-san Jikata Geiko Danyū (Onaka Okiya) on the left and Jikata Geiko Danka (Onaka Okiya) on the right on the day of her Misedashi.

With Danmitsu, there are now four women from the Dan-line active in Gion Kobu, all Jikata Geiko. The grand onee-san is Dan-e, who already debuted in 1950 and now has a total of 67 (!) years of experience; under her debuted Danyū in 1994 and Danka in 2003. Danmitsu is Danyū’s first imouto.  

Although they usually get little public attention, Jikata Geiko are absolutely vital to the functioning of the hanamachi, especially in Gion Kobu, which has a very strict distinction between Jikata (musicians) and Tachikata (dancers) Geiko. Their numbers are small and they are desperately needed, so Danmitsu’s debut certainly is very appreciated.

October 2017: The name-plates at the Hiroshimaya Okiya. Not all, but many okiya have name-plates outside their buildings showing the Maiko and Geiko affiliated with them.

They are organized from the least senior Maiko/Geiko on the left to the most senior on the right: Jikata Geiko Danmitsu, Maiko Koeri, Geiko Kosen, Geiko Koyō and Geiko Koai.