#hanatoro

Hanatōro (花灯路) is a 10-day long illumination that takes place in Kyoto’s Higashiyama in March and Arashiyama in December. The event, which translates as “Flower and Light Road”, sees thousands of small lanterns displayed on the roadside and around the local temples, which often extend their opening times for the light up. The illuminations start at 6:00pm and last until 9:30pm.

2017 Maiko Karyukai Wallpapers - January to June

March 11th, 2017: Higashiyama Hanatōro came to a close last night with the final performance by Gion Higashi. Representing them this year were Kanohiro (叶紘) of Kanoya (叶家) and Tomitsuyu (富津愈) of Tomikiku (富菊). Kanohiro should be switching to ofuku soon too ^^! Images are courtesy of Love_Justine on Twitter.

March 10th, 2017: Last night we had a double header for Higashiyama Hanatōro! Pontocho performed first with two of their most senior maiko Taka (多香) of Yamaguchi (やまぐち) and Ichiteru (市照) of Masunoya (桝之矢). Second was the lovely duo of Umechie (梅ちえ) of Umeno (梅乃) and Naokinu (尚絹) of Nakasato (中里) from Kamishichiken. This was Naokinu’s first public appearance as a senior maiko as she has just recently switched to ofuku ^^ Images are courtesy of both Ono190go and Kuumill on Instagram.

There was a lack of entry for last week, so I’m trying to make this update for both weeks ^^; Karyukai News -Higashiyama Hanatōro started and finished earlier than expected this year. The performers were: Gion Kobu (March 4th): Ichiharu (市晴) of Nakagishi (中支志) and Katsusen (佳つ扇) of Odamoto (小田本). Miyagawa Cho (March 5th): Toshimomo (とし桃) and Chikaharu (千賀遥) of Komaya (駒屋). Pontocho (March 10th): Taka (多香) of Yamaguchi (やまぐち) and Ichiaya (市彩) of Masunoya (桝之矢). Kamishichiken (March 10th): Umechie (梅ちえ) of Umeno (梅乃) and Naokinu (尚絹) of Nakasato (中里). Gion Higashi (March 11th): Tomitsuyu (富津愈) of Tomikiku (富菊) and Kanohiro (叶紘) of Kanoya (叶家). -The Spring Odori Season beings this Friday (March 24th) with the Kitano Odori of Kamishichiken. -Mameharu (まめ春) of Tama (多麻) in Gion Kobu has switched to ofuku and is now a senior maiko. Blog News -The Random Fact of The Week looked at Sou Odori Kimono and Nanohana. -What’s In a Book? Part 22 looked at 京・嶋原太夫―太夫・髪型の世界 (Kyō - Shimabara Tayū - Tayū - Kamigata No Sekai) by Tetsuo Ishihara (石原哲男) -What’s In a Name? Part 17 looked at single kanji and katakana names. -A new tab called Covered Kanji now displays all of the kanji that have been featured in the What’s In a Name? series along with links back to the original entries. -Mylo’s Pick of The Week went to Fukutomo (ふく朋) of Horiyae (堀八重) in Miyagawa Cho and Tomitsuyu (富津愈) of Tomikiku (富菊) in Gion Higashi. -The amount of questions received was tremendous! Thank you so much to everyone who wants to learn more. Please don’t be afraid to ask a question at any time ^^ -Apparently this blog has been around now for a year! Thank you so much to everyone who comes by to learn as this labour of love is all for you! 

March 4th, 2017: Last night the first of the annual Higashiyama Hanatōro (東山花灯路) dances took place with Gion Kobu starting off a bit earlier than usual. This year we have Katsusen (佳つ扇) of Odamoto (小田本) and Ichiharu (市晴) of Nakagishi (中支志) dancing the classic “Hanagasa” (花笠 - Flower Hats) and the Gion Kouta (祇園小唄). The jikata geiko with them is the highly experienced Kimizuru (君鶴). These images are courtesy of Kuumill (1) (2) and Miyabi_66 on Instagram and Hiroyuki Nishikizawa (Who also goes by Fragrantolive11 on Instagram). 

March is here! Which means everyone’s busy with odori preparations (expect for Gion Higashi, but that’s all good). So, to the news! Karyukai News -Mamesaya (豆沙弥) of Shibata (柴田) in Gion Kobu and Ichisato (市沙登) of Masunoya (桝之矢) (Not Tanmika as originally posted) in Pontocho both had their misedashi on Wednesday (March 1st). -Higashiyama Hanatōro started earlier than expected this year with Katsusen (佳つ扇) of Odamoto (小田本) and Ichiharu (市晴) of Nakagishi (中支志) in Gion Kobu going first on Saturday (March 4th). Blog News -I held a one hour live stream on Tuesday (February 28th). Apparently there were technical difficulties with some buffering, so I plan on holding a Make Up Question Period in the coming weeks (I’ll try to announce the date next week). -What’s In a Book? Part 21 looked at 祇園 - 粋な遊びの世界 (Gion - Sui Na Asobi No Sekai) - Gion - The World of Stylish Parties Published By Tankōsha (淡交社) -The Random Fact of the Week looked at the amount of hairstyles that are worn by maiko, geiko, and tayu. -Mylo’s Pick of The Week looked at Ayaha (あや葉) of Katsumi (勝見) in Pontocho. -Your questions this week were so varied and touched on so many topics that I haven’t covered before! It really makes me happy to help all of you learn, so please don’t ever hesitate to send in questions for any reason at all. Just remember: you’re not bothering me as I’m here to help you ^^