Sayonara Hanamachi!

This past month the Kyoto Hanamachi has taken quite a shock. With it’s many recent departures in both Gion Higashi and Miyagawa-chō.

Tomitaka and Masayui of Gion Higashi, both of which debut last year in October, have retired. Leaving Gion Higashi with only 6 trainees in it’s district.

Miyagawa-chō has also bid farewell to maiko Satonami. She wore the Sakkou hairstyle and danced Kurokami before going back home.

Images © Michael Chandler [Left to right: Masayui, Satonami, Tomitaka.]