#ninben okiya
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 Mameaya from the Ninben Okiya of Gion Kobu!
Mameaya is one of the two first Maiko to debut in the new Reiwa period, alongside Fukusono of Miyagawacho who also had her debut on May 9th. Mameaya is the imouto of senior Geiko Mameya, who is also the onee-san of Maiko Mamesaya. She is the fifth currently active Maiko from Shibata/Ninben, but Mamesumi will have her Erikae on the 30th, so this day is an extra happy occasion for the okiya!
In picture 2, you can see Mameaya surrounded by most of her family.
Back row: Geiko, Emino, Geiko Mamewaka, Geiko Mamemaru
Middle row: Maiko Mameyui, Maiko Mamesaya, Maiko Mamesumi, Maiko Mametama
Front row: Geiko Mameryō, Geiko Mameya, Mameaya herself, Geiko and okaasan Mamehiro and Geiko Mameka
Mameaya herself is quite tall, even without okobo, which makes her stand out. I’m sure that her onee-san Mameya will help her become popular in no time!
Congratulations on your debut Mameaya, and all the best wishes for your career1
Source 1: 1020kiddo on Instagram
Source 2: Geiko Mameryō’s Official Instagram Account
Source 3: emi.blue33 on Instagram
