Kitano Odori

Ichimame in Kamishichiken's Kitano Odori.

The geiko Umeshizu performing the role of otemae, preparing the tea.

The Kitano Odori is an annual performance of traditional songs and dances by the geiko of the Kamishichiken entertainment district near the Kitano Shrine dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane and has been presented since March　1952. Geiko are indispensable as hostesses in traditional banquets, but an　essential part of their duties are performances of traditional music in such　tyles as Nagauta, Tokiwazu and Kiyomoto, mastery of instruments like the　shamisen and tsuzumi hand-drum, and classical Japanese dance. They also　must　know traditional popular songs, which are an important part of the culture　of the entertainment districts. Constant study and practice are vital to mastering these art forms and the Kitano Odori began as a recital to show　off these performance skills, as well as being an entertaining show.

(Excerpt from Ichimame's blog)


Young Ichiteru in the role of ohikae, delivering tea to the guests in the ceremony before Kitano Odori.


Ichimame (front) and Naokazu.

Ichimame (front) and Ichifumi.



Naozome

Naosuzu

Ichimame's Blog: Buisness Trips

Ichimame among the plum blossoms of Kitano Tenmangu shrine.

Usually, we entertain customers in Japanese style rooms in tea houses, but sometimes we get to travel far away on buisness trips. When this happens, there is something that we bring with us to the lodging place, without fail. That is the takamakura ('high pillow', a specially shaped, hard pillow stand that supports the neck but leaves the hair untouched). This is because a normal pillow will ruin my hair style. But since hotels have soft, fluffy beds, the takamakura sinks into them and it's a bit difficult to sleep. But on buisness trips I get to go to many different places, so it's fun.

Ichimame's Blog: Study Meeting

From Ichimame's blog: Ichimame at Ryuanji's famous rock garden.

Yesterday, the mothers (of the okiya), geisha, and maiko of Kamishichiken took a tour of Kyoto's famous places. One by one, we made are way around Ginkakuji (the Silver Pavillion), Kiyomizu Dera (temple), Nijo-jo (castle), and Ryuanji (temple). Nijo Castle's "Nightengale Corridor" left quite an impression on me. When I walked on it, the floor sang "Chun chun," like a nightengale, and I was a little frightened. If I had to walk on that at night, I'd be so scared I wouldn't be able to walk well at all!

I was also impressed by Ryuanji's mysterious rock garden. There are 15 stones, but no matter how you count, you can only see 14. The first time I counted only 14, but when I tried again there were 15. I was begining to wonder if there really were 15 stones, so when I found them all I was very happy.

I had a lot of fun, so I hope we have another study meeting like this again.

Baikasai: The Plum Blossom Festival

Bringing in the Spring with Blossoms and Tea

Ichimame prepares matcha (powdered green tea) as Naozome prepares to serve it to a guest.

A long line of geiko and maiko, easily distinguished by the way in which they wear their obi, bow as they serve tea to their guests.

Katsue and the many maiko and geiko of Kamishichikenserving tea to the guests.

Umeshizu and Umechika, geiko of Kamishichiken.

Ichimame performs tea ceremony with Naozome as ohikae.

Umeha and Umeshizu prepare, as Naozome offers tea to the guests.

Ichiteru, a young maiko from Ishikawa prefecture who decided to become a maiko after reading Ichimame's blog, prepares tea as another recently debuted maiko, Katsuryu, prepares to offer it to a guest.

Ichimame Update: Month of Memories

March 5, 2007

March is graduation time (in Japan). As soon as I graduated from junior high school, I began my apprenticeship (to become a maiko). At the graduation ceremony, I knew that soon I would no longer be able to see my friends, and I felt so lonely that I couldn`t stop the tears. Even so, everyone said "Do your best! We're all cheering for you!" and encouraged me. Then I was so happy that I cried all over again.

It's already been three years since that time. Every year this time comes, and I remember that day... And at the same time, I wonder, has it really been that long?

Now that I`ve entered my fourth year, I am among the higher ranking maiko, so I want to do my best.

Ichimame's Blog: English Updates (^-^)/

Hanakanzashi (Flowered Hair Ornaments): February

February 17, 2007

This month is the Plum hanakanzashi. Maiko with the wareshinobu hairstyle wear a hanakanzashi with many small plum blossoms. (The wareshinobu is worn by younger, lower ranking maiko).

The ofuku hairstyle's hanakanzashi (the hairstlye that [Ichimame is] currently wearing) consists of large plum blossoms. As for me, this plum hanakanzashi is one of my favorites. My hair has been styled in the ofuku style since last autumn, so I am looking forward to wearing many different kinds of hanakanzashi from now on.

The Day Before the Plum Blossom Festival

February 24, 2007

Tomorrow is the Plum Blossom Festival at Tenjin-san (Kitano Tenmangu Shrine). We will have an open-air tea ceremony. It`s a bit chilly, I think, but plum blossoms and a sweet fragrance hang in the air, so please do me the pleasure of coming to see!

The Plum Blossom Festival

February 27, 2007

There are always a lot of people at Tenjin-san (Kitano Tenmangu shrine) in the day, but this Plum Blossom Festival really drew quite a crowd.

Here is a picture from the Plum Blossom Festival.

The people who do us the pleasure of coming every year said "It's good that this year is warm, isin't it?" I hope next year is warm, too.

Tenjin-san's (Kitano Tenmango Shrine's) plum blossoms are this much in bloom.

Meet Ichimame

Ichimame enjoying the plum blossoms of Kitano Tenmangu shrine, in full bloom just in time for the Plum Festival (Baikasai) thanks to the unusually warm weather.

If you are a geisha enthusiast like myself, chances are you already know Ichimame, the beautiful young maiko blogging away from her okiya in Kamishichiken, Kyoto's oldest and most traditional hanamachi (literally 'flower town', where geisha live and entertain). I first saw Ichimame perform last spring, when a wonderful series of unforeseeable events resulted in a free front row seat to Kitano Odori (the spring dance of Kamishichiken), convieniently positioned directly infront of her. At the end of the show, she smiled down at me, tossing one of her signed handkerchieves into my lap.

When I first discovered Ichimame's blog, I was so excited I wanted to post a link to it here. Being written completely in the Kyoto dialect of Japanese, I figured very few people would be able to read it and so decided against it. Thanks to the incredible number of visitors her site has been recieving from all around the world, she has begun a professionally translated English version of the blog, although it seems to be slow going. I wish I could volunteer to do it for her! I'd have that smack updated post haste! Until they get caught up, I'll post my own translation of the most recent entries here:

Starting tomorrow! Must sleep...

Ichimame and I

Let's just say I had a very good weekend!