#geisha makeup
June 2019: Maiko Umehina (Umeno Okiya) of Kamishichiken in the gardens of the Konkaikōmyō-ji Temple in Kyoto.
Source:Masanobu Kido on Instagram
June 2019: Maiko Fukuna (Kawayoshi Okiya) of Miyagawacho performing a dance.
Source:Zoe Johnson on Instagram
May 2019: Maiko Kanako (Kawahisa Okiya) of Miyagawacho throwing the first pitch during a baseball game at the Koshei Stadium.
It’s a tradition for a Maiko or Geiko from Miyagawacho to throw the first pitch during a Hanshin Tigers baseball game once a year! Last year, now retired Geiko Kimihiro was chosen to do it.
Don’t get confused by Kanako’s kanzashi by the way: She’s wearing her January kanzashi because it features lucky motifs and a small Hanshin Tigers flag is pinned to it!
Baseball is one of the most popular sports in Japan, alongside Sumo, Judo and soccer. They have a unique tradition when it comes to throwing first pitches: The batter is supposed to swing and miss the ball on purpose!
Source:Spoon & Tamago on Instagram
May 2019: Famous Geiko Marika (Tsurui Okiya) of Gion Kobu hosting a tea ceremony.
Source:Masanobu Kido on Instagram
May 2019: Maiko Mamesumi (Ninben Okiya) of Gion Kobu performing Kurokami, “black hair”. It’s a special dance that is almost exclusively performed during a Maiko’s sakkou period.
A “sakkou period” are the two to three weeks before a Maiko has her Erikae and becomes a Geiko. She wear the special, elaborate sakkou hairstyle (very well visible in the picture above), and wears a special, self-designed kanzashi consisting of lucky motifs. They also wear special outfits, but those depend on the customs of the kagai. In Gion Kobu, Maiko wear a formal black kimono, a golden obi and a mostly white collar.
At the end of their sakkou period, the end of the girl’s bun is symbolically cut off to signify her transition from Maiko to Geiko, from girl to woman.
Mamesumi’s Erikae will take place on the 30th of May! It’s the first Erikae from Ninben/Shibata since Mamesome’s in February of 2013.
Source:takutanimoto on Instagram
9th of May 2019: Misedashi of Maiko Fukusono from the Shigemori Okiya of Miyagawacho!
Maiko Fukusono is one of the first two Maiko to debut in the new Reiwa Era, alongside Maiko Mameaya of Gion Kobu. Fukusono’s Misedashi was actually postponed by Shigemori’s okaasan, so that Fukusono wouldn’t be the last Maiko to debut in the Heisei Era, but the first Maiko to debut in the Reiwa Era. What a nice sentiment!
Fukusono is the second Maiko to debut from Shigemori this year, her older sister Fukunori debuted in February. They had no new debuts since Koen in January of 2016, so this year is already looking great for them! Fukusono is also the first imouto of Shigemori’s youngest Geiko, Fukuchō (second picture)! Before that, Fukuhiro or Kofuku always played the role of onee-san, but now there is one more young Geiko to take that role.
Fukusono is very cute and makes a great pair with her sisters Fukunori, who has a similar cute look. Fukusono actually reminds me a bit of Geiko Tomitsuyu of Gion Higashi on her early years, so it’s going to be interesting to see how she progresses!
Congratulations on your debut Fukusono, and all the best wishes for your career!
Source 1:emi.blue33 on Instagram
Source 2: Gion Hatanaka’s Official Instagram Account
Source 3: emi.blue33 on Instagram
