Todays lecture, Geisha.

Today there was a public lecture in Gion Higashi public geisha school, by Mamehana-san. She told us about Geisha.. History, ranks, hairstyles and such..

You can also see Tomohana-san (in the red kimono), as a Geisha. 

Congratulations!!

This time I would like to congratulate the new maiko and geiko.  I haven't been in their Misedashi or Erikae, and I am really sorry about that.

So, congratulations: 

Tsukihana-san (Mitsuhana), who is now a Maiko

               and

Sayu-san (Little Yoshiwara), who is now a Geisha

I am sure they will both have a glorious career. ^^

Mitsuhana

Konnichiwa Minna san!

I would like to tell you a little about the Ozashiki in Mitsuhana. 

One week ago I again joined Ozashiki in Mitsuhana, whispering flower Okiya. Usually the Ochaya is full of 

Maiko, Minarai, Shikomi and  Patrons. This time it was almost empty. I was the only customer, and 

there was only one beautiful Maikosan, Mamehana. 

And of course a young, humble Shikomisan. She was sitting beside the door and waiting for customers to 

arrive, so she could greet them and take their shoes. Many people think Shikomi are not important, but 

in fact they are. They play important part in the Ozashiki, they make it feel more real.

So I would like to thank Aisha-san, Mitsuhana Shikomi for joining us that evening. 

Shikomisan Aisha in Azuchi Ochaya

And Shikomi are flowers, who will bloom one day. ^^

In the beginning of the Ozashiki, there was 

2 maikosan and one minarai. 

Maikosan Mamehana, Maikosan Hanaka

and Minaraisan Tsukihana. And of course 

Shikomisan Aisha. 

But when the Ozashiki is held in virtual

world, we are all in second lifes mercy,

and Hanaka-san crashed.

Mamehana-san performed a beautiful dance about hot springs. I have a few pictures of the dance. ^^ I got Hanameishi from Maikosan Mamehana. 

I really enjoy collecting Meishi. 

We decided to end the Ozashiki early, because Hana-san left, and there was no other customers than me. 

Maiko Mamehana dancing and Minarai Tsukihana playing Shamisen

The whispering flower - Mitsuhana

Maikosan Mamehana sitting in Ochaya. 

The trees.. They don't mind about the little coldness, not even the elegant snowflakes. They can live in harmony, together. The frozen, beautiful cherry blossom are still on the trees.
Some of them are gently falling to the stones on the ground. You can really hear how the flowers
whisper.
But the real flowers are not in the trees. They live here.. But they are something more..

Ozashiki in Mitsuhana January 14, 2012

When I first arrived to Gion Higashi, I was stunned. All the old-fashioned japanese buildings, and all those beautifully frozen cherry trees. The cute red paper lanterns are hanging from the Ochaya.
I hurry my steps, as I get closer. The river quickly flows under the bridge. So many snowflakes fall to
the cold water, and melt..

And suddenly a bunch of the real flowers came. "Konnichiwa Hinata-sama, otano moshimasu!" the beautiful voice of a very young Maiko said.
She bowed to me with a cute, little smile. All the others did the same. Then those flowers hurried to open the Ochaya. The new flowers, who are still waiting to bloom, walked right behind the Maiko. They were the young Shikomisan.
I walked to the Ochaya where they opened the door for me. I stepped in and I got stunned again.
The Ochaya is so beautiful! The paper doors and tatami mats! Ah, but none of them is even close to as beautiful as the real flowers.

When you come to an Ozashiki, it doesnt matter is it your first or your 78th time, you are always
as welcome in Mitsuhana.
One of the Maiko sat beside me and we started talk. If you have never been in an Ozashiki, you should
come and feel it yourself!

I was secretly hoping the Maiko to perform the Gion Kouta, song for Gion. It is my favorite KyoMai dance. And quess what, they did! Dance in Mitsuhana is on a totally different level. They look so real,

Maiko Mamehana, Maiko Sayohana and Maiko Tomohana. 

and they do everything elegantly and on the same time. I was stunned once again by the amazing elegance of their dance.

Maikosan Hanaka's winter fan dance

Gion Kouta by Maiko Mamehana &  Maiko Sayohana

Maikosan Hanaka's winter fan dance

Maiko Tomohana dancing, Maiko Sayohana playing Shamisen.

By: KenHinata