@missmyloko / missmyloko.tumblr.com
November 7th, 2023: Congratulations to Kyoto's newest maiko on the occasion of her misedashi! Honoka (穂乃佳) of Tsurui (つる居) in Gion Kobu has debuted under natori geiko Sayaka (紗矢佳), also of Tsurui! She is Gion Kobu's second misedashi of the year and Tsurui's newest debut since Erika in 2021. Her outfit features waves and pine with lucky treasures and her obi features a gorgeous shippō pattern ^^ おめでとうさんどす穂乃佳ちゃん ^o^! Image is courtesy of Gion Tsudaro.
November 15th, 2021: A new maiko is born! Erika (恵利佳) has had her misedashi from the Tsurui (つる居) okiya in Gion Kobu! She is the imōto of natori geiko Sayaka (紗矢佳) and is the 7th debut from Gion Kobu this fall. Her kimono features the Shakkyo (石橋 - Stone Bridge) story with beautiful waves, peonies, and butterflies and her obi features a repeating shippō pattern. おめでとうさんどす恵利佳ちゃん ^o^! Images are courtesy of JP Kanrikan.
Today on November 1st was Satsuki’s official retirement. After spending 10 years as a geimaiko, 7 of which were at the #1 spot, she is retiring as the most successful geiko to ever grace Gion Kobu. Here’s a look back at her groundbreaking career:
Image courtesy of FD Images. Satsuki debuted on February 28th, 2011 from the Tsurui (つる居) okiya in Gion Kobu as the imōto of Sayaka (紗矢佳), who also had her erikae that day. She would be the first of a new naming line for Tsurui using the Sa (紗) kanji.
Image courtesy of Sakura Chihaya. During her first year she was already becoming popular, participating in many photoshoots and finishing #14 overall in her first Shigyōshiki.
Image courtesy of Catman. By her second year history would begin to be made. Satsuki would become #1 overall at her second Shigyōshiki, a rare feat for such a junior maiko! She was becoming famous among customers for her undeniable charm and wit, a rare combination for someone so young!
Image courtesy of Haruyuri. With her rising fame came the most coveted prize for a maiko of all: the poster girl for the Miyako Odori. As Satsuki continued to be #1 she was the poster girl for back-to-back years, something that had never been done before!
Image courtesy of Ibunka. As Satsuki matured, her popularity continued to snowball. She continued to be #1 and appeared in many photoshoots. Her change to ofuku made her even more beautiful and many eagerly anticipated what would come next.
Image courtesy of Julie Podstolski. Satsuki became the subject of artists from around the world, including the incredibly talented Julie Podstolski. Soon the anticipated day would come when Satsuki would turn her collar and become a geiko.
Image courtesy of Julie Podstolski. In February 2015 the anticipated time had come: Satsuki, Gion’s #1 star, was wearing the sakkō hairstyle that signaled the end of her apprenticeship and who was now on the cusp of her highly anticipated erikae.
Image courtesy of Blue No Shashin. On February 23rd, 2015, almost 4 years to the day of her misedashi, Satsuki would have her erikae and Kyoto’s newest geiko was born. Her erikae would draw record crowds of photographers and well wishers not seen before.
Image courtesy of Byzance Blue. During next year’s Shigyōshiki everyone was asking: could Satsuki keep up her streak? It’s common for geiko to relax a bit after their erikae and drop slightly in their rankings, but Satsuki just kept working as hard as ever and would retain her #1 spot!
Image courtesy of Byzance Blue. It wasn’t long until Satsuki had her first and only imōto: Mitsuki (美月), who inherited the “月” kanji. Tsurui was now home to the most famous geiko and maiko, as Mitsuki quickly rose up the ranks to be not too far behind her onesan in the first years and Satsuki’s onesan Sayaka continued to be in the top 3.
Image courtesy of Byzance Blue. Gion’s star would continue her #1 streak even after Mitsuki debuted, with it totaling 7 years in a row. She would celebrate many events like Setsubun as a geiko and enjoy her life in Gion Kobu. Her streak, however, would be broken by her own imōto Mitsuki as Satsuki would sit in the #2 spot for the rest of her career.
Image courtesy of My Kyoto Photo. In September 2021 Satsuki would get married and announced her upcoming retirement. On November 1st, 2021 Satsuki did her hiki iwai rounds and said goodbye to everyone in the Gion Kobu community who had supported her throughout her career. Thank you Satsuki for 10 wonderful years. We will all miss you.
October 19th, 2020: Congratulations to Kyoto’s two newest geiko on the occasion of their erikae! From Gion Kobu there’s Mitsuki (美月) of Tsurui (つる居) and in Pontocho there’s Ichiyū (市結) of Katsumi (勝見)! Mitsuki is currently the #1 overall highest earning geimaiko in her district and is the imōto of the famous Satsuki. Ichiyū has also been incredibly successful and is the imōto of the well respected and highly esteemed Ichiraku. Both women have extremely bright futures ahead of them in the karyukai as geiko ^^! おめでとうさんどす美月さんと市結さん ^o^! Images are courtesy of My Kyoto Photo [1] [2].
October 2020: Mitsuki (美月) of Tsurui (つる居) in Gion Kobu is now wearing the sakkō hairstyle! Her outfit is a lovely combination of a kimono featuring cranes flying over pine and waves (which her onesan Satsuki wore during her sakkō period) and a golden obi featuring shippō (seven lucky treasures). Her kanzashi features a gorgeous purple tailed crane holding pine needles that’s flying over a crescent moon, just like her namesake! Her erikae will be on October 19th ^^ Images are courtesy of Kazubon.
March 26th, 2020: Congratulations to Sayumi (紗友美) of Tsurui (つる居) in Gion Kobu on the occasion of her misedashi! She is the fifth imōto of natori geiko Sayaka (紗矢佳) and is sure to have a very successful career! Her outfit is also very seasonally appropriate as the butterflies have just recently returned to Kyoto and the peonies are about to bloom ^^ おめでとうさんどす紗友美ちゃん ^o^! Image is courtesy of My Kyoto Photo.
February 14th, 2018: The Tsurui (つる居) shikomi has also begun her minarai period as of yesterday! Her geimei is Asuka (あす佳) and she will be the imōto of Sayaka (紗矢佳)! There are rumors that she will be debuting on the same day as Nanonha (菜乃葉) of Tama (多麻) on March 12th, so March is going to be an incredibly busy month in Gion Kobu! Images courtesy of Islander.
