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November 14th, 2024: A new minarai has emerged! Tomikoma (富胡麻) of Tomikiku (富菊) in Gion Higashi as begun her journey to becoming a maiko. She will be debuting without an onesan, but will be joining a district full of maiko onesan to look up to! Her misedashi will be on December 19th ^^ Image is courtesy of the Tomikiku Okiya.
September 18th, 2024: A new maiko is born! Masaya (満彩矢) of Man (まん) in Gion Higashi is celebrating her misedashi! She is the first misedashi from the small district this year and, although she is debuting without an official onesan, she has the support of the entire kagai behind her! She will be present for the Gion Odori in November (I believe she will be doing the tea ceremony), so please look out for her there! Her lovely outfit features lucky treasures and wisteria with a woven karabana obi ^^ おめでとうさんどす満彩矢ちゃん ^o^! Image is courtesy of JP Kanrikan.
August 26th, 2024: A new minarai has begun her journey to become a maiko! Masaya (満彩矢) of Man (まん) in Gion Higashi has begun her minarai period! She will be debuting without an onesan, but will be well looked after by geiko Masaki (満彩希), Masanao (満彩尚), and maiko Masane (満彩音). Her misedashi will be on September 18th ^^ Image is courtesy of The Gion Higashi Kabukai.
May 16th, 2024: The Kanki Inari Shrine Festival took place today in Gion Higashi and Masanao (満彩尚) of Man (まん) was spotted wearing the sakkō hairstyle! During Man's last erikae, Masano's, the okiya was celebrating their first such event and as such borrowed the majority of their outfit from the Shigenoya okiya. This time around, it seems as though Shigenoya has gifted the gorgeous purple kimono to Man and that Man has purchased a new stunning black shippō patterned obi and a double crane kanzashi. Her overall look is truly stunning and we look forward to her erikae on June 6th ^^! Image is courtesy of a friend who wishes to remain anonymous.
On The Sixth Day of Fun I present... the summary of the year! I didn't do a half year summary again this year as the karyukai is still recovering from the pandemic and not too much went on in the first half. So, without further ado, here are the numbers for 2023: Misedashi Momo (もも) of Ninben (亻) in Gion Kobu - January 23rd Kikushizu (菊しづ) of Hanafusa (花ふさ) in Miyagawa Cho - February 13th Fuminami (ふみ波) of Katsufumi (勝ふみ) in Kamishichiken - March 1st Toshikō (とし倖) of Komaya (駒屋) in Miyagawa Cho - March 22nd Masane (満彩音) of Man (まん) in Gion Higashi - March 22nd Hidekame (秀亀) of Masamiya (雅美家) in Pontocho - April 4th Kotono (小との) of Shigemori (しげ森) in Miyagawa Cho - April 20th Momitomo (もみ智) of Tanmika (丹美賀) in Pontocho - June 14th Kanosono (叶園) of Kanoya (叶家) in Gion Higashi - October 3rd Kanoshizu (叶静) of Kanoya (叶家) in Gion Higashi - October 3rd Kanosuzu (叶鈴) of Kanoya (叶家) in Gion Higashi - October 3rd Hinaho (雛帆) of Sakaemasa (栄政) in Gion Higashi - October 12th Honoka (穂乃佳) of Tsurui (つる居) in Gion Kobu - November 7th Fumiyui (富美唯) of Toshikimi (利きみ) in Miyagawa Cho - November 14th Ichiyuki (市ゆき) of Ichi (市) in Kamishichiken - November 27th 2023 Total: 15 2022 Total: 12 Change: +3 Erikae Fukuyuri (ふく友利) of Horiyae (堀八重) in Miyagawa Cho - January 26th Hidemai (秀眞衣) of Masamiya (雅美家) in Pontocho - March 3rd Mariko (槇里子) of Nishimura (西村) in Gion Kobu - May 29th Katsuemi (佳つ笑) of Odamoto (小田本) in Gion Kobu - June 3rd Koaki (小晶) of Kaden (花傳) in Miyagawa Cho - June 29th Mameyui (豆結) of Ninben (亻) in Gion Kobu - November 14th Miwako (美羽子) of Nishimura (西村) in Gion Kobu - November 20th Fukusono (ふく苑) of Shigemori (しげ森) in Miyagawa Cho - December 14th Toshinagi (とし菜希) of Komaya (駒屋) in Miyagawa Cho - December 14th 2023 Total: 9 2022 Total: 9 Change: 0
Retirements Kikuyae (菊弥江) of Hanafusa (花ふさ) in Miyagawa Cho - April Masano (満彩野) of Man (まん) in Gion Higashi - April Mayuha (満友葉) of Tama (多麻) in Gion Kobu - April Katsue (佳つ江) of Odamoto (小田本) in Gion Kobu - June Satoharu (里春) of Kawahisa (川久) in Miyagawa Cho - July Mao (真生) of Okaai (岡あい) in Gion Kobu - July Tomifuku (富芙久) of Tomikiku (富菊) in Gion Higashi - August Fuminami (ふみ波) of Katsufumi (勝ふみ) in Kamishichiken - August Katsuki (勝貴) of Daimonji (大文字) in Kamishichiken - October Koyō (小耀) of Hiroshimaya (廣島屋) in Gion Kobu - December Fukutama (ふく珠) of Shigemori (しげ森) in Miyagawa Cho - December Katsuhina (佳つ雛) of Odamoto (小田本) in Gion Kobu - December 2023 Total: 12 2022 Total: 12 Change: 0 So, what can the numbers tell us? Gion Kobu had 2 misedashi and 4 erikae, which is great as they also sadly had 5 retirements. This still puts them on a +1 for the year though, so that's good news here. Pontocho continues to have great numbers with 2 misedashi and 1 erikae. With no retirements, they end the year on a +3. Kamishichiken had an iffy year. With 2 misedashi and 2 retirements (1 of them being 1 of the misedashi), they end on a neutral 0, which is this year's biggest loser. Miyagawa Cho had a profitable year with 4 misedashi and 4 erikae. With only 3 retirements they end on a whopping +5. Last year's biggest loser in Gion Higashi showed this year's biggest bounce back. With 5 misedashi and 1 retirement, they end on a fantastic +4. Overall, seeing everyone end the year in the black once again is fantastic and is a positive sign after the pandemic. There were also overall gains in misedashi and no changes for retirements, so the total number in the karyukai has gone up! What do you think 2024 has in store for us? Let me know in the comments!
On The Fifth Day of Fun I present... a new obi! I try to find ones that are unique, and hopefully this one fit the bill ^^
Image courtesy of Silvia Vasquez. Owned by: Man (まん) in Gion Higashi Motifs: Musical Instruments Yes, I'm featuring a Man obi again, but they have such a lovely closet full of treasures and Gion Higashi doesn't get as much love as the other districts. Plus, this obi slaps, so let's take a look. The most stand out part of this obi is its three main repeating motifs: a yellow trumpet, a cyan lute, and a magenta (well, light pink) set of drums. It's a cute way to express the three primary colors and draws the eyes immediately to the obi as the centerpiece of the outfit. In the background are music notes, treble clefs, and waves that swirl around the instruments. It makes it seem as though the music is jumping right off the silk and into our ears! As you may have noticed, the instruments are all Western and not Japanese in origin, making this obi even more unique!
October 12th, 2023: Congratulations to Kyoto's newest maiko on her debut! Hinaho (雛帆) of Sakaemasa (栄政) in Gion Higashi is celebrating her misedashi! She is the first imōto of Hinayū (雛佑) of Tanakanami (田中菜美) and the fourth misedashi for the small district this year! Her outfit features lucky treasures while her obi features a brocade of karabana and interlocking lattice ^^ おめでとうさんどす雛帆ちゃん ^o^! Image is courtesy of the Gion Higashi Kabukai.
October 3rd, 2023: Big congratulations are order for Kyoto's newest maiko! Kanoshizu (叶静), Kanosuzu (叶鈴), and Kanosono (叶園) of Kanoya (叶家) in Gion Higashi have all made their debut together, marking the first triple misedashi for the gokagai in 22 years! They are the first debuts from Kanoya in 5 years and will be performing in the Gion Odori in November ^^ おめでとうさんどす叶静ちゃんと叶鈴ちゃんと叶園ちゃん ^o^! Image is courtesy of Ono No Komachi.
September 7th, 2023: Another young minarai has made her debut in Gion Higashi! Hinaho (雛帆) of Sakaemasa (栄政) is the imōto of Hinayū (雛佑) of Tanakanami (田中菜美) and will be making her debut on October 12th! Here you can see her with her onesan after performing their osakazuki ceremony ^^! Image is courtesy of the Gion Higashi Kabukai.
January 23rd, 2023: Two new minarai have begun their journey to become maiko! Masane (満彩音) of Man (まん) in Gion Higashi and Kikushizu (菊しづ) of Hanafusa (花ふさ) in Miyagawa Cho will be the first debuts of the year when they have their misedashi in February! While Masane is debuting without an onesan, Kikushizu is debuting under the tutelage of Kikuyae (菊弥江), also of Hanafusa. Images are courtesy of the Gion Higashi Kabukai and Hikocd.
On The Seventh Day Of Fun I present... statistics! Once again there was no half year summary due to the overall lack of major movement. So, let’s see what’s what! Misedashi Fukumatsu (ふく松) of Shigemori (しげ森) in Miyagawa Cho - March 24th Hidemio (秀澪) of Masamiya (雅美家) in Pontocho - April 5th Satoha (さと葉) of Nakasato (中里) in Kamishichiken - April 12th Tomifuku (富芙久) of Tomikiku (富菊) in Gion Higashi - May 14th Fukumiyo (ふく美代) of Horiyae (堀八重) in Miyagawa Cho - May 26th Katsuhide (佳つ秀) of Odamoto (小田本) in Gion Kobu - May 30th Seika (星花) of Unknown in Gion Kobu - August Kimisora (君宙) of Honjo (本城) in Miyagawa Cho - September 1st Ichikiyo (市きよ) of Ichi (市) in Kamishichiken - October 27th Taeno (多栄之) of Komaya (駒屋) in Miyagawa Cho - November 22nd Satoji (さと路) of Nakasato (中里) in Kamishichiken - November 27th Ichiyuri (市優里) of Yamaguchi (やまぐち) in Pontocho - December 6th 2022 Total: 12 2021 Total: 18 Change: -6 Erikae Mametama (豆珠) of Ninben (亻) in Gion Kobu - March 6th Masano (満彩野) of Man (まん) in Gion Higashi - April 12th Katsuki (勝貴) of Daimonji (大文字) in Kamishichiken - May 11th Toshinami (とし菜実) of Komaya (駒屋) in Miyagawa Cho - May 26th Toshinana (とし七菜) of Komaya (駒屋) in Miyagawa Cho - September 28th Mamesaya (豆沙弥) of Ninben (亻) in Gion Kobu - November 7th Nanoha (菜乃葉) of Tama (多麻) in Gion Kobu - November 30th Ichihiro (市紘) of Hiroshimaya (廣島屋) in Gion Kobu - December 6th Katsuharu (佳つ春) of Odamoto (小田本) in Gion Kobu - December 15th 2022 Total: 9 2021 Total: 2 Change: +7 Retirements Fumiyuki (ふみ幸) of Katsufumi (勝ふみ) in Kamishichiken - January Danka (だん香) of Onaka (大仲) in Gion Kobu - February Toshieri (としえり) of Komaya (駒屋) in Miyagawa Cho - April Marika (茉利佳) of Tsurui (つる居) in Gion Kobu - May Koyori (小より) of Shigemori (しげ森) in Miyagawa Cho - May Ichisuzu (市すず) of Ichi (市) in Kamishichiken - May Kanotomo (叶朋) of Kanoya (叶家) in Gion Higashi - August Tomoko (朋子) of Nishimura (西村) in Gion Kobu - November Fukuna (ふく那) of Kawayoshi (河よ志) in Miyagawa Cho - December Fumika (富美夏) of Yoshifumi (よし冨美) in Miyagawa Cho - December Mamesumi (豆純) of Ninben (亻) in Gion Kobu - December Katsumomo (佳つ桃) of Odamoto (小田本) in Gion Kobu - December 2022 Total: 12 2021 Total: 31 Total: -19 So, what can these numbers tell us? Gion Kobu had the lion’s share of erikae with five but only one misedashi and one return. They also had five retirements (technically four retirements and one death), so they end the year on a +2. Pontocho continues its good streak with two misedashi, no erikae, yet no quitting, so they end this year on a +2. Kamishichiken had a positive year for once, with three misedashi, one erikae, yet two retirements. This also gave them a great score of +2. Miyagawa Cho had a much better showing than last year! With four misedashi, two erikae, but four retirements, they also ended up with a +2. Gion Higashi had one of everything this year; one misedashi, one erikae, and one retirement, leaving them with a score of +1. Overall, this is the first year that I’ve been tracking that I’ve seen all five kagai come up in the positive! There was no definitive winner or loser either (technically Gion Higashi lost, but they remained positive, so that’s a win). The number of retirements was also way down from last year, which is a hopeful sign that the karyukai is beginning to bounce back from the pandemic ^^
May 14th, 2022: A new maiko is born! Congratulations to Tomifuku (富芙久) of Tomikiku (富菊) in Gion Higashi on the occasion of her misedashi! With Tomifuku’s debut all 5 kagai have now debuted at least 1 new girl this year, a positive sign that the karyukai is bouncing back from the pandemic! Tomifuku was all smiles on her walk and looked stunning in Tomikiku’s crane, pine, and waves hikizuri paired with a golden brocade obi ^^ おめでとうさんどす富芙久ちゃん ^o^! Image is courtesy of My Kyoto Photo.
April 15th, 2022: A new minarai has made her debut in Gion Higashi! Tomifuku (富芙久) is from the Tomikiku (富菊) okiya and she is super cute! She’ll be the first new debut for the district in almost 2 years, showing that Gion Higashi is starting to bounce back after the pandemic. Her misedashi will be on May 14th ^^ Image is courtesy of the Gion Higashi Kabukai.
March 26th, 2022: Masano (満彩野) of Man (まん) in Gion Higashi has switched to the sakkō hairstyle ahead of her erikae! Being a newer okiya and their first sakkō, Man did not have a sakkō outfit, so the kimono and kanzashi are borrowed from Shigenoya (繁の家), which is a touching show of community support. Masano’s erikae will be taking place on April 12th ^^ Images are courtesy of the Gion Higashi Kabukai.
On The Second Day of Fun I present... a continuation of a series that I started at this time last year! I’m not too sure why this series hasn’t gotten any additions, but that will be remedied now!
Image courtesy of Geisha Kyoto Maikochaya. Owned By: Man (まん) in Gion Higashi Motifs: Cherry Blossoms and Butterflies I really liked the look of this obi just from the overall design, but then upon further inspection I noticed that it was hiding a bit more! Now, the flower designs all look like cherry blossoms, and for the most part they are, except for the middle of every second one; those are actually bell flowers instead! You can tell because the petals are pointed instead of possessing the characteristic heart shape at the end. Then again, those bell flowers aren’t even sitting inside of cherry blossoms either! What look like cherry blossoms are actually an old motif that’s translated into English as drawer pulls that form together to mimic cherry blossoms. What’s even better is that the bell flowers, in a bid to blend in, have cherry blossoms on each of the petals! So, why are there bell flowers on an obi that seems to be evoking spring? Because the kamon of Man is a bell flower butterfly, so this obi combines both elements of their kamon together ^^
December 2nd, 2020: Congratulations to Kyoto’s newest maiko on the occasion of her misedashi! Tomieri (富瑛梨) has debuted from Tomikiku (富菊) in Gion Higashi! She is the second debut from Gion Higashi in the past month, which is excellent for such a small district. Her smile is also infectious and you can’t help but smile along with her on such a happy occasion ^^ おめでとうさんどす富瑛梨ちゃん ^o^! Image is courtesy of Ryohei Masawaki.
On The Seventh Day of Fun I present... the annual year in review! Misedashi Masanao (満彩尚) of Man (まん) in Gion Higashi - February 15th Fukunori (ふく典) of Shigemori (しげ森) in Miyagawa Cho - February 21st Kanaemi (叶笑) of Kawahisa (川久) in Miyagawa Cho - February 25th Toshinagi (とし菜希) of Komaya (駒屋) in Miyagawa Cho - March 5th Toshinaho (とし菜穂) of Komaya (駒屋) in Miyagawa Cho - March 5th Hidechisa (秀知紗) of Masamiya (雅美家) in Pontocho - March 7th Suzuno (鈴乃) of Fukushima (福島) in Gion Kobu - March 13th Kosumi (小純) of Hiroshimaya (廣島屋) in Gion Kobu - March 25th Kimishō (君翔) of Honjo (本城) in Miyagawa Cho - April 23rd Mameaya (まめ彩) of Ninben (亻) in Gion Kobu - May 9th Fukusono (ふく苑) of Shigemori (しげ森) in Miyagawa Cho - May 9th Asako (亜佐子) of Nishimura (西村) in Gion Kobu - May 14th Masako (槇沙子) of Nishimura (西村) in Gion Kobu - May 27th Kanasue (叶季) of Kawahisa (川久) in Miyagawa Cho - June 18th Tomihoshi (富豊志) of Tomikiku (富菊) in Gion Higashi - September 26th Kimichō (君蝶) of Honjo (本城) in Miyagawa Cho - September 26th Hidefumi (秀芙美) of Masamiya (雅美家) in Pontocho - September 28th Umechisa (梅千沙) of Umeno (梅乃) in Kamishichiken - October 1st Mamefuji (まめ藤) of Tama (多麻) in Gion Kobu - October 25th Kohatsu (小はつ) of Shigemori (しげ森) in Miyagawa Cho - November 7th Kotsuru (小つる) of Shigemori (しげ森) in Miyagawa Cho - November 7th Hidechiyo (秀千代) of Masamiya (雅美家) in Pontocho - November 18th Hideyoshi (秀好) of Masamiya (雅美家) in Pontocho - December 9th Toshieri (としえり) of Komaya (駒屋) in Miyagawa Cho - December 9th Kimimitsu (君光) of Toshikimi (利きみ) in Miyagawa Cho - December 9th 2019 Total: 25 2018 Total: 30 Change: -5 Erikae Taka (多香) of Yamaguchi (やまぐち) in Pontocho - February 12th Naokinu (尚絹) of Nakasato (中里) in Kamishichiken - March 13th Mamesumi (豆純) of Ninben (亻) in Gion Kobu - May 30th Mameharu (まめ春) of Tama (多麻) in Gion Kobu - November 6th Toshiemi (とし恵美) of Komaya (駒屋) in Miyagawa Cho - November 7th Kikuyae (菊弥江) of Hanafusa (花ふさ) in Miyagawa Cho - November 7th Kanako (叶子) of Kawahisa (川久) in Miyagawa Cho - November 13th Katsuhana (佳つ花) of Odamoto (小田本) in Gion Kobu - December 9th Tomoko (朋子) of Nishimura (西村) in Gion Kobu - December 17th 2019 Total: 9 2018 Total: 9 Change: 0 Leavings Chisako (千紗子) of Nishimura (西村) in Gion Kobu - February Umewaka (梅わか) of Ichi (市) in Kamishichiken - March Fukutomo (ふく朋) of Horiyae (堀八重) in Miyagawa Cho - May Chikasome (千賀染) of Komaya (駒屋) in Miyagawa Cho - May Ichisato (市沙登) of Masunoya (桝之矢) in Pontocho - May Mikako (実佳子) of Nishimura (西村) in Gion Kobu - June Katsugiku (佳つ菊) of Odamoto (小田本) in Gion Kobu - June Ryōma (涼真) of Sakaemasa (栄政) in Gion Higashi - June Kanotomo (叶朋) of Kanoya (叶家) in Gion Higashi - June Kanayuki (叶幸) of Toshikimi (利きみ) in Miyagawa Cho - June Tsuruha (つる葉) of Tama (多麻) in Gion Kobu - August Ichiai (市愛) of Masunoya (桝之矢) in Pontocho - August Ichisumi (市すみ) of Yamaguchi (やまぐち) in Pontocho - August Miharu (美晴) of Okatome (岡とめ) in Gion Higashi - September Koharu (小はる) of Shigemori (しげ森) in Miyagawa Cho - October 2019 Total: 15 2018 Total: 27 Change: -12 Known Shikomi Tama (多麻) of Gion Kobu Tsurui (つる居) of Gion Kobu Odamoto (小田本) of Gion Kobu x2 Nishimura (西村) of Gion Kobu Hiroshimaya (廣島屋) of Gion Kobu Kawayoshi (河よ志) in Miyagawa Cho Hanafusa (花ふさ) of Miyagawa Cho Man (まん) of Gion Higashi So, what can we glean from the numbers this year? Overall, 2019 was excellent! Although there were less misedashi than last year, there was still a huge number of them at 25! Erikae have remained the same for the past 3 years, so no change is good change for that. However, the best news comes from retirements, which was 12 less than last year! This year the karyukai saw a net gain of +10, which is outstanding! There were also no retirements among natori or jikata geiko, so each kagai kept their best and brightest (and most in demand). Gion Kobu did well once again this year. Although they only had 5 misedashi compared to 15 in 2018 (which ties a record), they did have four erikae and only 4 retirements to end with a score of +1. Pontocho once again keeps its numbers high with 4 misedashi and an erikae. With 3 retirements they’re also at +1. Kamishichiken did recover from its hard 2018, but overall didn’t do too well. It had 1 misedashi, 1 erikae, and 1 retirement, so it ended on a neutral score. Miyagawa Cho won the year by far with the most misedashi at 12! They also had 3 erikae, which is an improvement from last year. They did have 4 retirements, but they won the year with a score of +8! This is a massive improvement as their score last year was -4! Gion Higashi ended up being the only losers this year. With 2 misedashi, 0 erikae, and 3 retirements they end the year on -1. So, what did you think? Who do you think will take the top spot in 2020? Let me know in the comments ^^
