#hisamomo

February 2019: Sisters Geiko Ayano (Yamaguchi Okiya) and Geiko Mitsuna (Tanmika Okiya) of Pontocho performing their skit for Obake night.

Geiko get to dress up in costumes during Setsubun, and Hisamomo and Mitsuna were dressed as flamenco dancers.

มกราคม 2560: เกโกะ Hisamomo (โอกิยะ Tanmika) จากเขต Pontocho ในจังหวัด Kyoto

Sum up of erikae 2017: 

1. Hisamomo of the Tanmika okiya in Pontocho;

2. Katsuhina of the Odamoto okiya in Gion Kobu;

3. Mameroku of the Arai okiya in Gion Kobu;

4. Satoharu of the Kawahisa okiya in Miyagawacho;

5. Katsuna of the Daimonji okiya in Kamishichiken;

6. Katsue of the Odamoto okiya in Gion Kobu;

7. Toshisumi of the Komaya okiya in Miyagawacho;

March maiko kanzashi

In March, the first signs of spring are appearing in Japan, and geiko and maiko are busy preparing for the odori season. Maikos’ kanzashi are a veritable garden of blooms, hinting at the warmer weather and the upcoming cherry blossom season. 

Maiko kanzashi motifs for march include narcissus, peony, peach blossom, and rapeseed (canola) blossoms with silver, pink, or blue butterflies. Certain varieties of rapeseed are cultivated for their oil-producing seeds, and their blossoms are actually edible*. 

Senior maiko can choose to wear any of those kanzashi motifs, though narcissus, peach blossom, and rapeseed blossoms are the most popular. Junior maiko tend to wear exclusively rapeseed blossoms with butterflies, though some older junior maiko may wear narcissus. Peony is the rarest motif of the four and can be worn by junior and senior maiko. 

*if you decide to forage for edible rapeseed, please research beforehand, as not all varieties are edible.

So proud of Mameroku and Hisamomo as geiko! They are both as talented as beautiful! They truly deserve such a wonderful day! Seeing them grow up as strong and beautiful women was an honor! Congratulations!

July 2018: Geiko Hisamomo (Tanmika Okiya) of Pontocho performing the Kabuki Odori at the Yasaka Shrine during the finale of the Gion Matsuri.

July 2018: Geiko Ayano (Yamaguchi Okiya), Geiko Momifuku (Yamaguchi Okiya), Geiko Hisamomo (Tanmika Okiya) and Geiko Ichino (Yamaguchi Okiya) of Pontocho performing the Kabuki Odori during the finale of the Gion Matsuri.

September: 2017: JIkata Geiko Miyosaku, sisters Geiko Hisamomo and Geiko Ichiraku (Tanmika Okiya) and sisters Maiko Ichiyū and Ayaha (Katsumi Okiya) of Pontocho on their way to a joint engagement.