#yaezuru

Historical context "Nanchi" (南地), referring to southern Osaka, was originally an umbrella term for five Hanamachi, called Kuroemon-cho (久郎右衛門町), Soemon-chô (宗右衛門町), Namba-shinchi (難波新地), Saka-cho (坂町) and Yagura-cho (櫓町). It is said that in 1935, around 2000 Geiko and Maiko called Nanchi their home, making it the biggest Hanamachi in Japan. Geiko numbers declined heavily in the meantime. Other big cities like Kyoto and Tokyo could maintain a fairly high number of traditional entertainers (currently ca 260 Geiko and Maiko in Kyoto and ca 200 Geisha and Hangyoku in Tokyo, plus a hand full of Taikomochi), whereas Osaka's Hanamachi population is currently around 10 Geiko and no Maiko. From at least 2014 to 2018, there was only one Geiko working in Nanchi, a veteran of the profession named Kikutsuru (菊つる). It's likely she has retired meanwhile, as no mentioning of her was found after the official introduction of Tanigawa's (たに川) fresh blood in May 2019.

Tanigawa was founded in 1969 and is Nanchi's only remaining Ochaya/Okiya. After a long drought period with no apprentice actually making it to debuting as a Geiko, five Geiko have debuted from this business since 2019 and one more should debut later this year or maybe in 2022, depending on how the general situation in Japan develops.

The look of Nanchi Geiko

Tachikata ※ Hairstyle: Geiko Shimada Katsura ※ Kanzashi: Kushi, Maezashi, Hirauchi in the back. Nemaki cut around 1 year after debut. At occasions which require the wear of Kuromontsuki, additional Bekkô Kogai is worn in the back. New year's celebrations see the addition of a rice husk in front and the Hirauchi may be swapped for prong kanzashi with coral Tama. In July and August, Kushi, Hirauchi, and sometimes the front pins are transparent. In September, they turn white. From October to June, they are colourful again. ※ Make-up: both lips painted, Oshiroi ※ Eri: white ※ Kimono: Hikizuri. Kuromontsuki have white lining. Komon pattern seems to be very popular. ※ Obiage: red, during the summer months pink (also applies to Juban colour) ※ Obi: Taiko Musubi ※ Obijime: flat, single knot ※ Footwear: mostly Geta, Zori are worn with Montsuki Kimono

Jikata/Minarai/"casual" outfit ※ Hairstyle: Yôhatsu or simply combed back with a bun ※ Eri: white ※ Kimono: mostly Hômongi, but also Komon and Iromuji ※ Obiage: warm pastel colours, mostly pink and beige ※ Obi: Taiko Musubi ※ Obijime: flat or round, single knot ※ Footwear: Zori

Notes: ※ Tachikata have the opportunity to wear the "casual" outfit instead of Katsura+Hikizuri (Tamizuru did so five to six months after her debut) ※ the two Jikata who debuted since 2019 didn't appear in promotional photos after their debut, but sometimes, you can get a glimpse of them ※ Minarai wear the "casual" outfit until a few months before their debut. Their professional names are revealed around 1 month after becoming minarai. ※ Minarai wear a "practise Katsura" rented from Imanishi. They receive their individual Katsura shortly before their debut. ※ every year on 14. June, the Ochaya owner and Geiko (and others who are unrelated to the Hanamachi) appear in public wearing dark-coloured Iromuji (purple, dark blue), visiting Sumiyoshi-Taisha shrine, where a ritual called Otaue shinji (御田植神事) takes place. It has been designated as an "important intangible Folk cultural Asset" by the national government as one of the most representative rituals in Japan. ※ before the debut of Yaezuru, Tamizuru and Tamako, Geiko from Nara and Kitashinchi were frequent guests at Tanigawa ※ Miyagawacho Geiko Tae (多栄) was originally working as a Geiko named Fukuemi (福笑) in Nanchi, before retiring in 1993. She continued to teach Nagauta in Osaka until she debuted as a Geiko again in 2017 ※ once again, thanks a lot to @geimaiko for inspiration and allowing me to use her layout. Go and check out her blog if you're interested in the Hanamachi! Lots of interesting stuff to read!

Sources: Sumiyoshi 1║Sumiyoshi 2║Otaue Shinji║║Fukuemi║Nara Geiko with junior Owner of Tanigawa║1935 population numbers ║kanzashi terms ║ Fukuzuru instagram story from 7. Dec 2024║Q&A with Marizuru in her instagram stories in July 2024