New Beginnings…

Ichimame is well know for her writing and blog which has given many a peek under the mysterious facade of the Geiko and Maiko world. Today she attended Kamishichiken’s annual Baika-sai on her last day as a Maiko. Tomorrow (Feb. 26) she will don the Katsura of a fully-fledged Geiko—stepping out onto the streets of Kamishichiken in her formal black kimono, called Kuromontsuki.

Also recently (Feb. 23) Miyoharu of Miyagawa-chō and Makiko of Gion Kobu turned their collars. Raising the numbers of Geiko in Kyoto to 200!

Miyoharu and Makiko © Michael Chandler
Ichimame © Hidenori Ohnishi