momoyama's photostream  

Friday, 3rd February

The maiko (apprentice geisha) Ichiwaka throwing packets of beans at Yasaka Shrine, Kyoto, Japan.

The custom of throwing beans (mamemaki) is explained on Wikipedia

Monday, 30th January.

Kyoto, Japan.

Congratulations to Tsuruha who made her debut as a geiko (geisha) in the Gion Kobu district today.

January 13th, 2012

The maiko (apprentice geisha) Mameroku and her okaasan making their way to the home of Yachiyo Inoue, the head of the Inoue school of dance. Together with other maiko and geiko (geisha) from the Gion Kobu district, they pledged to continue to work and train hard and celebrated the new year by eating zōni.

舞妓 ふく真莉さん ふく美さん

January 5th, 2012.

Kyoto, Japan. The maiko Fukumi and Fukumari. On this day geiko and maiko make their way round the tea houses of the Miyagawa-cho district to pay courtesy calls. They wear formal, black kimono and, until January 15th, an ear of rice in their hair.

January 5th, 2012.

Kyoto, Japan. On this day geiko and maiko make their way round the tea houses of the Miyagawa-cho district to pay courtesy calls.