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.

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.