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March 6th, 2022: A new geiko has been born! Mametama (豆珠) of Ninben (亻) in Gion Kobu has turned her collar and is celebrating her erikae! Due to the pandemic she is the first celebrant of 2022 and a much welcome sight in the karyukai! Her kimono features pine and dance fans with waves while her obi showcases colorful cranes on a tortoiseshell background ^^ おめでとうさんどす豆珠さん ^o^! Images are courtesy of Mameryo.
January 29th, 2022: Mametama (豆珠) of Ninben (亻) in Gion Kobu has switched to the sakkō hairstyle ahead of her erikae! Her erikae will be taking place on February 14th. Her kanzashi features a beautiful crane over pine (which may or may not be the same one that Mamehana wore) while her kuromontsuki is various musical instruments with kanji ^^ Image is courtesy of Mist.
Now that Setsubun activities have been over for more than a week the karyukai has returned back to normal, but a few maiko have made the switch to ofuku and are now seniors! They include: Koen (小えん) of Shigemori (しげ森) in Miyagawa Cho Mametama (豆珠) of Ninben (亻) in Gion Kobu Masano (満彩野) of Man (まん) in Gion Higashi Click on each name to see images of them with their new hairstyle ^^!
November 8th, 2018: The annual Kanikakuni Sai (かにかくに祭) took place today in front of the memorial that features Isamu Yoshii (吉井勇)’s famous poem celebrating Gion. The poem “Kanikakuni” reads as follows: かにかくに Ka ni ka kuni No matter what they say/is said 祇園はこいし Gion wa koishi I love Gion 寝るときも Neru to kimo Even in my sleep 枕の下を Makura no te o Under my pillow 水のながるる。 Mizu no nagaruru. The sound of water flows. Taking part this year were the women associated with the famous duo okiya of Shibata (柴田) and Ninben (亻): geiko Mamemaru (豆まる) with maiko Mametama (豆珠) and Mamesaya (豆沙弥). Also included was Kimi-san, the owner and former okasan of the Tomiyo (富美代) ochaya. The weather was beautiful today so there were many photographers, including the crew from the kabukai who help run Gion Corner! Video is courtesy of Gion Corner.
Spotlight: Poetic Images In The Karyukai - Tagasode As discussed a few weeks ago, there’s often some images in the karyukai that were once popular and known by all that are now almost forgotten (I’m referring to the Genji Mon debate). However, sometimes a kimono or an obi comes along that evokes both old imagery and instant knowledge as to what it represents, and this happens to be one of those examples. Looking at the obi, one just sees kimono folded over bamboo branches, but almost every person who is even remotely versed in classical Japanese literature or art will instantly recognize its significance! The imagery comes from a classic piece known as Tagasode (誰袖), which means “Whose Sleeves” that originated in the Momoyama Period (1573-1615). The first instance of its appearance was on a folding screen, and it was then copied again and again in various art forms to evoke a sense of knowledge in traditional arts. The theme of Tagasode itself was thought to come from a poem written in the Kokin Wakashū (古今和歌集) in 905 that says: Iro yorimo, 色よりも, More color, Ka koso aware to, 香こそあはれと, Than perfume, Omohoyure, おもほゆれ, Primarily, Tagasode fureshi, 誰袖ふれし, Whose sleeves hang, Yado no ume zomo. 宿の梅ぞも. In the plum tree at the inn? The poem itself speaks about the kimono of lovers who are staying at an inn, away from their families and any duties that would otherwise keep them apart. The author wonders who they may be, and what kind of lives that they’re living away from this secluded place. Is it a nobleman and his mistress? A secret affair between two aristocrats? Nobody knows, but just the thought of who owns those sleeves is enough to evoke a sense of curiosity and spark the imagination. It’s a beautiful and elegant image that fits right into the karyukai and seems as though it’s part of a dance that a maiko or geiko would perform. This beautiful obi is owned by the Ninben (亻) okiya in Gion Kobu and is worn by maiko Mametama (豆珠) in this image. The image itself is courtesy of Badbatsumaru on Instagram. The poem and some background information came from the Japanese Architecture and Art Net Users System (JAANUS), but the translation was done by myself.
Congratulations to Kyoto’s newest maiko, Mametama (豆珠) of Ninben (イ) in Gion Kobu! For those of you wondering, the otokoshi is helping to support her as a maiko’s outfit weighs much more than a minarai’s and most new maiko often have difficulty walking in their okobo for the first few days. Bonus image with mokuroku! おめでとう豆珠ちゃん！
The year is ending, and now’s the time when loose ends are being tied up, namely misedashi and erikae! Karyukai News -Mametama (豆珠) of Ninben (イ) in Gion Kobu is having her misedashi tomorrow (December 5th) -Hisamomo (久桃) of Tanmika (丹美賀) in Pontocho is currently wearing the pre-sakkō oshun (お俊) hairstyle. Her erikae will likely be in January. -Tama (多麻) in Gion Kobu has three new minarai! Their misedashi dates are currently unknown. Blog News -What’s In a Kimono? Part 3 looked at a very unique donuki. -Mylo’s Pick of The Week turns the spotlight on Katsuhina (佳つ雛) of Odamoto (小田本) in Gion Kobu. -You sent in a record number of questions this week! In total there were 34 very unique and interesting queries sent in! Thank you so much to everyone who submits questions! You come up with interesting topics! I just hope that I am answering them to your high standards ^^ -The Random Fact of The Week looked at the types of obi that maiko wear. -I finally got around to uploading some images from the kanzashi display at Anime North this year. I really hope that you all enjoyed seeing such precious items in the gallery and I cannot thank my kanzashi collaborator enough (I only wish that the images were of better quality or lighting!). Since so many of you liked them I have uploaded the images in a higher resolution, so give them a click to see some of the fine details that you may have missed the first time. Also, my sister has entered her cat into a contest to become a model for pet supplies. If you think he’s cute (and he is) then go ahead and like this image. That’s it. No forms or sharing or anything. Who wouldn’t want to see that adorable little guy in more images? Also, his name is Thor and he’s as friendly as he is fluffy ^^
Shared with permission from a friend who took this image. Minarai Mametama (豆珠) of Ninben (イ) in Gion Kobu as she walks with a shikomi on her way to her nightly engagements. Her kanzashi features the motif of Kazeguruma (風車), pinwheels that are popular toys among young children. Her misedashi is less than two weeks away on December 5th.
So much is happening again! Let’s just get right into it! Karyukai News -Ichitomi (市十美) of Nakagishi (中支志) in Gion Kobu is having her erikae tomorrow (November 21st). Although, technically it’s happening as I write this ^^; -Chiyoko (知余子) of Nishimura (西村) in Gion Kobu is having her erikae on Friday (November 25th). -Mametama (豆珠) of Ninben (イ) in Gion Kobu is having her misedashi on December 5th! -A certain popular member of the karyukai has quit recently. I’ll post more when I get better details. -Fumikyō (富美梗) of Yoshifumi (よし冨美) in Miyagawa Cho has left the profession. Blog News -Have I mentioned that I love your questions? Please fee free to send them in ^o^! -What’s In a Book? Part 18 looked at 祇園市寿々 - Gion Ichisuzu by Hiroshi Mizobuchi 溝縁ひろし -The Random Fact of The Week looked at the most popular kanji in each district. -Mylo’s Pick of The Week goes to Toshimomo (とし桃) of Komaya (駒屋) in Miyagawa Cho. -The kanzashi tab is almost ready to go live!
An insider has finally shared the date of a long waited misedashi! Mametama (豆珠) of Ninben (イ) in Gion Kobu will be having her misedashi on December 5th, almost a month and a half after starting as a minarai. It’s not known why her minarai period is so long, but it could possibly have to do with certain events in and around the karyukai (like other erikae and misedashi).
Yesterday the Gion Odori finished, bringing the 2016 odori season to a close. The next public dance performance will be the Kitano Odori in March 2017! But, with the end of rigorous daily dance sessions for the odori completed, it’s time to celebrate achievements and new members of the community! Here’s the list of current minarai and maiko who will be having their erikae: Minarai/Misedashi -Ichiaya (市彩) of Ichi (市) in Kamishichiken - November 14th -Mametama (豆珠) of Ninben (イ) in Gion Kobu - December 5th -Masano (満彩野) of Man (まん) in Gion Higashi - Unknown -Chikasome (千賀染) of Komaya (駒屋) in Miyagawa Cho - December Maiko/Erikae -Ichitomi (市十美) of Nakagishi (中支志) in Gion Kobu - November 21st -Chiyoko (知余子) of Nishimura (西村) in Gion Kobu - November 25th -Katsuhina (佳つ雛) of Odamoto (小田本) in Gion Kobu - Unknown -Toshisumi (とし純) of Komaya (駒屋) in Miyagawa Cho - January 2017 -Umechie (梅ちえ) of Umeno (梅乃) in Kamishichiken - 2017
The fall odori season ended today, so now we’ll be seeing a deluge of misedashi and erikae leading up to the new year! Karyukai News -Two new minarai have begun their journey this week! They are Mametama (豆珠) of Ninben (イ) in Gion Kobu and Ichiaya (市彩) of Ichi (市) in Kamishichiken. Both will be having their misedashi in November. Blog News -What’s In a Name? Part 14 looked at Su/Zu/Ju/Hisa (壽/寿), E/Ei (榮/栄), and Hana/Ka (華/花). -Once again, Many fun and interesting questions were asked again this week! Please feel free to keep sending them in! -Mylo’s Pick of The Week goes to Katsuna (勝奈) of Daimonji (大文字) in Kamishichiken.
The first pictures of her arrived last week, but now we have a name to go along with the face! The new Ninben minarai’s name is Mametama (豆珠), which means “Jewel Bean” or “Treasured Bean.” You can see her in a new picture with another Ninben shikomi here. As posted earlier, her misedashi will be in November. With her debut it’s likely that Mamesumi (豆純) will be switching to ofuku shortly afterwards. Her onesan is still unknown but it will likely be Mamehiro (豆弘).
