May 13th, 2026: Please welcome Kyoto's newest maiko! Masuko (槇住子) of Nishimura (西村) in Gion Kobu is celebrating her misedashi! She is the sixth imōto for natori geiko Makiko (槇子), also of Nishimura, and the first of a large group of girls debuting in Gion Kobu this month! Her kuromontsuki is a brand new piece commissioned by her okiya and Masuko is the first one to wear it. Going forward, other junior maiko at her okiya will wear it too! Kuromontsuki last an average of 20-30 years (or more!) and are extremely expensive, so this is a visual testament to the prosperity of the Nishimura okiya to be able to order a brand new one. Her outfit features partitions and shōchikubai with a golden colorful karabana obi ^^ おめでとうさんどす槇住子ちゃん ^o^! Image is courtesy of Geiko Mihoko.
