S A N B O N A S H I : Hassaku

S A N B O N A S H I : Hassaku, originally uploaded by mboogiedown.

"Hassaku is a very important event in Gion Kobu. In the heat of the summer, robed in the most formal black kimono and full makeup, young maiko and geiko visit the teahouses, teachers, senior geiko and establishments they depend upon to express their gratitude for their support and beg their favor in the future.

Because it is a very formal, specical occasion, they leave three tapered prongs of skin bare on their neck, as opposed to the usual two. This is called sanbonashi, or "three legs"."

, originally uploaded by mboogiedown.

"Kosen and Koyuki leave a teahouse after making a Hassaku visit.

Hassaku is a very important event in Gion Kobu. Robed in the most formal black kimono and full makeup, young maiko and geiko visit the teahouses, teachers, senior geiko and establishments they depend upon to express their gratitude for their support and beg their favor in the future.

Hassaku in Gion"

I C H I R I K I

I C H I R I K I, originally uploaded by mboogiedown.

"A maiko (apprentice geiko) follows her "big sister" into the Ichiriki Teahouse for an evening of traditional entertainment: music, dance, and drinking games!"

P I N K : Takahiro

P I N K : Takahiro, originally uploaded by mboogiedown.

"An older image from Miyako Odori, the annual spring dance of the Gion Kobu district. Takahiro, a beautiful young maiko (apprentice geiko) shows off the long, flowing sleeves of her kimono as she dances."

M A S A Y O

M A S A Y O, originally uploaded by mboogiedown.

"The geiko Masayo of Gion Higashi dressed in a special costume to offer a dance to Yasaka shrine's deities as part of Gion Matsuri's festivities."

K I K U T S U R U : Teahouse

K I K U T S U R U : Teahouse, originally uploaded by mboogiedown.

"On her first day as a full-fledged geiko, Kikutsuru visits each of the tea houses with which she has a relationship, introduces herself to the mistress as a geiko and begs for her favor in the future.

Here Kikutsuru of Miyagawa-cho steps out of the sliding wooden door of a teahouse (ochaya)."

K A T S U R Y U: Matcha

K A T S U R Y U: Matcha, originally uploaded by mboogiedown.

"Katsuryu, a young maiko who recently made her debut in Kamishichiken, prepares to serve match, whisked, powdered green tea, to guests at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, in Kyoto."

Perfect B E A U T Y: Umeha

Perfect B E A U T Y: Umeha, originally uploaded by mboogiedown.

"Umeha, a breath-takingly beautiful geiko of Kamishichiken. "

Naozome and Ichiteru

Naozome and Ichiteru, originally uploaded by mboogiedown.

"Maiko of Kamishichiken, Kyoto's oldest hanamachi (geiko entertainment district) surrounded by the plum blossoms of Kitano Tenmangu Shrine."