Yume No Ukihashi Opening Night

The new Ochaya in Hosoi Mura named 'Yume No Ukihashi' had its opening last night.
I attended a most wonderful, enchanting and fun evening.
We drank tea, sake and played games!
The Geiko-san danced, the Maiko-san danced and told stories...
Mizuko Okaasan presented to us the Tea Ceremony to finish off.
Such a great night and I wish them luck in the future.

Geiko Toshiki-san dancing her dance to a tale of a butterfly emerging into its new life.

 All the Maiko and Geiko including Mizuko Okaasan dancing upon the bridge on stage.

On the left, Toshiki-san dancing and on the right, Mizuko Okaasan giving a speech.
You can see me, on the left in my blue Yukata ^^

Yume No Ukihashi and all of its sisters, Ganbatte ne!!

Making Time

The other day, I was so busy and tired so could not upload this.
But...on that day, Jishaku Yuhara, one of my favourite patrons and good friends came to spend a little time with me.
As usual, we had a great time and he showed me a couple of his dances for Taishuu Engeki. He is a beautiful Onnagata hehe.
Thank you Ji-kun, for all the wonderful times we have together and for being such a lovely, warm person.

Quiet Time

With sadly no-one online, I decided to visit Tempura again, for a small photoshoot.
I love to show off my new November kanzashi and new Maiko Kimono by Tenran.

Maiko-san in a hurry through the light tunnel to her next engagement...this was me trying to re-enact the hurrying Maiko in Gion, Kyoto, as they rush to their next parties.

 Just a nice photo of myself as the sun rises, then a shot of my scurrying Okobo feet, hoping to reach the bridge before I miss the sunrise ^_^

 Then here is myself as I practice a dance back the Ochaya, I have to imagine myself infront of an audience. It helps to perfect my moves and handling of the fans and furisode sleeves, the pressure is good pressure ^_^

Picture Perfect

Okaasan's photos of me have come through like she said they would!
I am so happy with them, really has captured my essence. I knew I would be so happy with them.
Thank you Kokoro Okaasan <33

There is a plain version too.

A Great Day!

When you find your Okaasan, AND Obaasan online?
...Amazing.
We all had a wonderful conversation and even helped a Shikomi of Arakawa in her steps to becoming Minarai.

Okaasan and I at the Arakawa Museum of Art.
I'm wearing my pretty blue Furisode with dark purple, green and gold obi. You can see the Kiri crest at the bottom of the Obi, the symbol of our Okiya ^_^

 Here is Okaasan, myself and Obaasan. Tiaan-chan our Minarai-to-be joins us later :D
The man in the middle photo is Mika Moriguchi-san, who was simply just passing by.

 

This is me and Okaasan, just after she'd taken some faceshots for my being Maiko-san ^_^

I can't wait to post them on here and show them off!

  The last photo is of myself, Shikomi Tiaan-chan and Okaasan. :)

A Quiet Day

All was quiet at Arakawa Hanamachi.
My sister Kumiko-san joined me intime for an Ochaya opening but sadly no-one came. It must have been too early.
After she left, I visited Japan Project Garden for a photoshoot and came across someone who was new to SL that day.
He IM'd me right away asking me what a Geisha does...he was a little biased after all the hearsay that goes on in the western world...even in some parts of Japan where lots don't actually know of the Geisha and their occupation.
We sat quietly in one of the rooms and had a nice chat, where I educated him a little about the Geiko and Maiko. Of what we do and how we do it.

Hehe, I am so little ^_^


After this, I went back to Arakawa and visited the shrine to donate some Yen and pray to Ame No Uzume, our shrine to the God of Dawn and Revelry.
Picking up the heavy bachi, I bashed the gong after paying my respects in lindens.

The last thing to end my day, I took a beautiful picture of me, Miharu-san, stood atop the shrine hill, looking over my home...

Arakawa Hanamachi...the place that I belong.

Playtime With A Friend

Jishaku-kun had been wandering at the hanamachi for a while.
I decided to greet him and have a chat...thankfully he wasn't busy.
Was nice, for him to invite me to a sandbox to show me some of his builds.
They are amazing! Sugoi ne!!
Schools, houses and even a Chashitsu (Small room where Tea Ceremony is held)!

 

 This is us as we sat in the small, cosy Ochaya or tea room. Everything is just so pretty, he is very talented.

 
Here we are in his Kabuki Theatre building. He had me giggling at his funny little dance for ages, I just couldn't resist getting a photo.

Ookini san dosu ^_^'

Thank you so much Ji-kun for spending time with me. I feel I know you a little more now, and you are definately more than just a patron of Arakawa.

You are an honoured friend of the Okiya and myself.

Ganbatte ne!

Debut At Opening.

Okay, so more patrons came than I expected. Even better!
It was a good thing as I made my debut to them as Maiko-san.
Again, Jishy-san was charming as ever, with his funny and sweet remarks.
Another hopeful-to-be arrived, and this was a great honour as we need more sisters.

Jishy-san and myself. Meditating...or he'd unleashed a bad joke and we were laughing. :3

Kumiko-san, my dear sister of Arakawa on the left, Rei-san hopeful-to-be, Jishy-san, Myself and Andrew-san to the right of the image.
A small but cosy company for a Thursday evening.

Simply Business Number Two.

A shot of my new Maiko Meishi.

Old Way Of Life. New Paths To Walk.

After two months of enjoying the way of a Minarai...
...I have become Maiko-san.

It was a most beautiful day for me! I popped online and there it was. A sweet notice by Okaasan Kokoro, saying how delighted with my work and dedication she is.
The notice then reading of how I've been promoted to Maiko stage. I am so happy!

Oneesan Minako-san and myself. This is where we spoke of my new Geimei. Geisha name.
My new name is Miharu. It means Beauty and Clear Skies/Sunny Days.

I'm thinking this for a new Meishi. Business card.

This is also the base for a painting. A friend is going to paint this for me in RL, for my Misedashi.

Triple Debut At The SS Galaxy!

At the SS Galaxy sims on the 1st October 2011, it was a very special evening indeed.
I was so honoured to be welcomed to witness the Eri-kae of both Ichisumi-san and Umeha-san!
Eri-kae translated literally means 'turning the collar'. As a Jr. Maiko's collar is completely red, a Sr.Maiko's collar is white in front with red in the back, signifying she is still in training.
The collar turning ceremony is where the Sr. Maiko turn to Geisha/Geiko, their collars going from red to full white to signify maturing into womanhood. What a sight it was, stunning.
Not only was it a night for the new Geiko, but it was also a special event for Sr. Maiko Umechie-san who had her belated Misedashi and Mizuage...Not to mention her San San Kudo with Umeha-san.


It started off when everyone was arriving.

 And more...

And more...until we nearly crashed the sim!

The three debutants looked stunning!

Umechie-san began the event with her dance of the Gion Kouta. A famous dance done by all Maiko and Geiko, but especially Maiko on their debut for Misedashi.

Then Umeha-san (left) and Ichisumi-san (right) followed with their modified version of Kurokami.

It was a beautiful event, a story or two was told, there was plenty of tea and sake going around. I am so humbled to have been invited personally to witness such a majesty of events.

Ozashiki!

I was graced with the presence of four honourable patrons this evening!
They seemed to enjoy the company and many kind comments were passed about how I looked stunning in my blue kikyo hikizuri.
Ji-san also made me blush, he was sending out some very sweet compliments on how talented he thought I was and that I made the impression of a Maiko upon him and the evening.

From left to right. Sooki Ying, Geiko Ayami, Myself Michiyo-chan, Jishaku-san and Shizu Moriguchi.

Quiet Evening

It was one quiet evening. I took a short walk to Hosoi Ichiba sim where I took a pretty photo of the red pillars that line the paths to the shrines in Japan.

  

Then I met up with Grace-san, who has recently become Maiko-san! She looked stunning in her kimono and new shiro-nuri makeup!

Cat-san also was there to honour us with her presence.

An Inspiration And Graceful Presence

I thought my evening at Arakawa would be a quiet one.
...It was, but I was not alone!
Okaasan Kokoro graced the Hanamachi with her presence after a while and every meeting I have with her brings inspiration and joy. I was so honoured to have her ask me to try out the new Geisha dance-balls for upcoming shows.
She is beautiful and honourable. I am glad to have such a wonderful Okaasan.

A Relaxing Evening

As I logged on, I found that Raziel Grace-san and Cat-san, two of my fellow Minarai Okiya sisters, had opened the Ochaya for an hour or so.
I decided to join them.
Grace-san kindly gave me the opportunity to play my Shamisen and Shakuhachi for our respected guest. It was a very lovely evening, there was plenty to talk about and I adored playing my instruments for the pleasure of others.

 

Then afterwards, I decided to dress up formally and visit Tempura Island. It is a beautiful place, I love the sakura trees, so bursting with bright blossoms.

The ground beneath them has turned pink though, hehe. The coming of Autumn/Fall has brought on the shower of petals.

First Ochaya Opening!

Oneesan Minako kindly sent out a notice for me.
...For me to open up and host at the Ochaya on my own! It was my first time and I was very nervous.
I soon realised there was nothing to be nervous about though. Only 3 patrons came but we had a lovely time, I served them tea and sake...and even played a song or two on my Shamisen.

Everyone looked so lovely, even those in their more 'casual' attire, hehe ^_^
I was happy to recieve some nice comments about my looks. It is what we strive for :)

Me playing my Shamisen for my guests :)


I cannot wait for the next time!

Simply Business

All Arakawa sisters had received a notice from the group that was sent by maiko-san Yuriko.
It said that we should all create a meishi.
A meishi is basically a business card, usually consisting of a picture of the minarai, maiko or geiko that holds it, and also the name, rank and okiya, written in kanji.
I have created mine, once worn, it will show on the screen and when touched, it will give out a notecard that tells the patron about me. ^_^
My friend maiko-san Miehina had made one of the most cute ones I've seen, it said ookini (thankyou) in the cutest voice when I touched it!

Ochaya Opening In The Evening

Raziel-san, Seacheou-san and myself decided to open the Ochaya for an hour or so.
I was nervous as it was my first opening, but it soon wore off as the patrons and I exchanged sentences hehe.
I can actually say I loved it.
Serving tea was very fun, I observed my sister Sea-san as she poured the water and offered to her chosen patron.
I managed to get the hang of it and not get my furisode sleeves wet or even knock anything over with them!

Not to mention...I also loved being able to wear Jr. Maiko kanzashi! This is the violet Kikyo kanzashi that I am wearing, to mark the month of September ^_^

A Dance In Progress

My sister of same rank, Raziel-san, invited me to watch her dance. She is having her Misedashi very soon and has to complete this dance, in line with a song to mark her debut as a Maiko ^_^
She is very talented and I hope to be like her soon.
I must practice, practice, practice! :D

Tea With Friends

I suppose you could call this an informal Ozashiki. I didn't plan it, just a couple of friends decided they wanted to have tea with a Geisha so I invited them over.
If I had more experience and had been at an Ozashiki earlier, I could've opened the Ochaya myself...but there are things I don't know what to do.
...Like closing once I have to go. I worry about disappointing people but this will be over in time.
Here are some nice photos of us sitting, having a soft conversation.

Relaxing at the Okiya grounds

While I'm not with my Oneesan or other sisters, I am relaxing at the Okiya grounds.
Here is a photo of me practicing my shamisen. I love my shamisen, has to be my favourite instrument next to the shakuhachi.
Shakuhachi is a sort of japanese flute, makes very lovely music!
I have to get in lots of practice as oneesan has asked me to help her in an upcoming show. I will play my beloved shamisen.

A Bond

Minako-san (Dreuzel Zwiers) was honoured for me to ask her to become my oneesan. As I was equally as honoured if more for her to accept!


Oneesan means 'older sister' and that is what she was to a young apprentice Geisha in the house.
She would mentor and the younger sister would go everywhere with her, to events, formal parties and occasions. Even on small outings for a treat after a hard month of work and studying.


We have yet to take part in the San San Kudo ceremony.
This ceremony was meant for marrying couples but for Geisha, it was the sisterly bonding. The younger and older sister drink from the same cup as they sit opposite at a table.
Here is where the imouto 'younger sister' takes her given geimei 'stage name'. This name will be her name for the rest of her Geisha life.

Minarai-chan!

I have become Minarai.


Minako-san told me that Minarai are like little flowers, blooming as they grow into Maiko.
I can't wait to begin practicing my arts to make her and the Okiya so proud!

Then later, after I was given my new rank...Minako-san said I could now think about choosing an oneesan.
I asked her of course!
...And she said hai! I cannot wait for the San San Kudo!

Close To The Next Level

I became Shikomi on the 26th of June 2011.

Have now finished all three assignments to proceed to the next level. I must meet with Okaasan before she can promote me.


The next level is Minarai.