Shigyou-shiki

Today I was extremely lucky and at the same time honour to be invited to the Geiko & Maiko annual opening ceremony. This is the time that I wish I could blip more that one photograph...

Shigyou-shiki is an annual opening ceremony in the Kyoto Geiko* Hanamachi*, marking the start of another year.

Wearing a Inaho Kanazashi (rice-ear hair ornament) all the Geiko and Maiko* gather in their local theaters, wearing crested formal black kimono. They renew their vows as Geiko and Maiko and the ones with the best skills of the year are commended for their work. They also have a finale show, Odori*, performed by Geiko and Maiko.

GEIKO= Term for GEISHA in Kyoto
MAIKO= Apprentice GEIKO
HANAMACHI = Geiko-Maiko district. (The word's literal meaning is "flower street".)
ODORI= Japanese traditional dance, which originated in the Edo period.