I Should Have Seen This Coming
Two things, really. First, was that if I didn’t answer or comment on the Umechie issue that I’d be inundated with questions. Which, I totally was: @sugar-chrysanthemum asked: “Do you think that the fact that Umechie is using the yakko shimada can be a good sign?“ Anonymous asked: “Does this mean Umechie is now approaching the end of her apprenticeship? I can't see why else she'd wear yakko shimada, unless the Kitano Odori does tea ceremony as well.” Anonymous asked: “Does the fact that Umechie is wearing yakko shimada mean that she'll transition to sakkou soon and have her Erikae? Or is she just wearing it because of the Odori? I can't make out that many Maiko, but the other ones seem to be wearing their ordinary day-to-day hairstyles.” Anonymous asked: “Do you think Umechie’s yakko shimada means an erikae is next? I hope she doesn’t retire!” Second, was the actual eventuality of what would happen to Umechie in the near future. As a recap, she has two options: 1: Stay on and become a geiko. 2: Retire. However, this new information seems to be pointing in one definite conclusion: Whether Umechie stays or retires will be determined within the next few weeks. Her change of hairstyle means that the end of her career as a maiko will be over soon. Usually Kamishichiken maiko don’t wear yakko shimada if they’re going to retire, so hopefully this will end in good news ^^