Kyoto: Miyagawacho

To start this expansive series i would like to showcase some of my favorite hikizuri, accessories and coordinates of my favorite of the gokagai: Miyagawacho. First up, i love this district! When i visited Japan i strolled through Gion Kobu but soon had to get away from the crowds chasing Geimaiko and standing in the way. Miyagawacho seemed to serene and almost quiet in comparison even though it was just a stones throw away. This more relaxed atmosphere was also represented by the many Maiko i passed in the afternoon, most of them in casual outfits, coming or going to lessons or during their courtesy walks. I enjoyed the ambience of the district but i also love the funky and sometimes modern touches in the Geimaiko’s outfits that are so distinct of Miyagawacho. Here are some of my absolute favorites:





Fukue’s red sakkou okobo

Fukue is the heiress, the atotori, of Kawayoshi okiya and when she was at the end of her apprenticeship and wore her sakkou hairstyle, she got to wear these amazing red okobo. Sorry for the poptato quality but it was the only picture i found with a source link. I have never before and never since seen a Maiko in such fabulous okobo and i don’t believe her imouto Fukune wore them in her own sakkou stage but if someone knows more, please let me know! The red okobo accentuate the traditional bright red collar of Miyagawacho’s sakkou outfit and catch the eye as it wanders down the gorgeous kuromontsuki. She paired it with a lush obi that features her okiyas paulownia crest all over.

Photo of Fukue by kawayaoshi.miyagawacho on Facebook





Fumiyoshi’s black tabi

Retired Maiko Fumiyoshi of Yoshifumi okiya wore black tabi during the odori season in 2015. It looks kinda strange to me, i’m so accustomed to seeing white tabi with the Maiko look but i dig it, it’s so different!

Photo of Fumiyoshi by SoDAJeLLY69 on Twitter





Unknown Maiko-san’s cherry tabi

Sadly i couldn’t find out who this Maiko-san is but i just had to feature her tabi! They are rockabilly coolness with the cherry motive and cute in pink! This photo was uploaded 10 years ago mind you so Miyagawacho isn’t just now discovering colourfull accessories! What i also want to note is the fact that she is using a modern umbrella instead of the traditional kasa Maiko are supposed to use when in full regalia.

Photo by Melissa Rose Chasse on Flickr





Koume’s pop art banana hanameishi

This Andy Warhol inspired hanameishi belonged to then Maiko Koume-san in 2013. She liked bananas, so she got them on her seasonal business cards… So cute and unique just as herself!

Photo by Kimura on Ameblo.jp





Kimihiro’s tribute to the Hanshin Tigers

Kimihiro, another atotori, got to make the ceremonial first pitch for the Hanshin Tigers this year in May and she looked flawless and damn cool in her Miyagawacho Tigers outfit! This lady went all out and everything from obi to zori was a perfect tribute to her sponsor. Needless to say she made a great impression on the field! It’s surpising to see Geiko of Kyoto dress in such a bold and “pop” fashion but if someone is going to do it, it’s going to be a Miyagawacho girl!

Photo by renko2018 on Instagram





Fukuhiro’s fire obi

April is the busiest time of the year in the karyukai so naturally the most spectacular pieces of clothing and accessories are reserved for this period. Fukuhiro of Shigemori poses in her gorgeous kagari-themed obi: Cherry blossoms dance in the air as the roaring flames rise and flare. It references a poem of the Manyoshu, the oldest collection of japanese poetry in which courtlings admire the fleeting beauty of the cherry blossoms in the night. The only light was cast by the kagari, iron baskets used for cormorant fishing in the Oi river.

Photo by Shigemori okiya

To sum up: Miyagawacho is totally cool! Of course it remains true to Kyoto’s traditionalist roots but it finds ways to incorporate modern ideas into their timeless style.