Niigata: Furumachi

Historical Context

Furumachi is ranked up there with the top hanamachi of the country alongside Gion Kobu and Shinbashi. An incredible feat considering that their Geigi don’t get nearly as much publicity and exposure as their Kyoto and Tokyo counterparts. Peaking at 400, the number of Geigi used to be very high in the “City of water” or “City of willows” as prosperous Niigata is poetically referred to. Both nicknames evoke images of the karyukai, the floating world and the flower and willow world. As in many places, Niigata had seen a decline in women willing to work as Geisha, from 1968 there where no apprentices, until a Fostering association was founded in the 1980ies to revive the withering tradition.

Before the Ryuto Shinko company came into the picture in 1987, the artisans where called Furumachi Geigi, proud artists, among the best of the trade with a study period of up to 10 years. There are still some elderly Geigi from before the reformation but nowadays all younger members of the kagai are referred to as Furisode for the apprentices or Tomesode for the professional, named after the length of the sleeves of their kimono. The company was set up to manage apprentice’s and professionals’ affairs as well as to train young applicants.

Furumachi is the name of the popular shopping district in Niigata, a commercial center with the eclectic clash of modern malls next to traditional ochaya. This is also where the entertainment of Geigi, Tomesode and Furisode-san can be found.

The Look Of Furumachi Furisode

Source: Hokurikushinkansen-navi.jp

Term Used For Apprentice: Furisode

Hairstyle: Katsura in Momoware.



Katsura in Momoware. Kanzashi: Very ornate, flowery and according to seasonality but not seniority. Chinkoro in various styles and colors are worn by juniors but left out by seniors.



Very ornate, flowery and according to seasonality but not seniority. Chinkoro in various styles and colors are worn by juniors but left out by seniors. Make-up: Oshiroi with both lips painted at all stages



Oshiroi with both lips painted at all stages Kimono: Oh-Furisode with bold patterns, very luxurious and elegant, most patterns are fairly unique and not as generic as in other kagai.



Oh-Furisode with bold patterns, very luxurious and elegant, most patterns are fairly unique and not as generic as in other kagai. Eri: Red with embroidery for juniors, white for seniors. More elaborate gold and yellow as well as other colors are also an option.



Red with embroidery for juniors, white for seniors. More elaborate gold and yellow as well as other colors are also an option. Obi: Yanoji musubi



Yanoji musubi Obiage: Very wide and untied at all stages



Very wide and untied at all stages Obijime: Yes but no obidome

Yes but no obidome Footwear: Zori

Source: Genkokohana on Instagram

Souce: Hiroko Sato on Instagram

Source: Chie_okinawa on Instagram

Source: Odanium on Instagram

The Look Of Furumachi Tomesode

Term Used For Professional: Tomesode

Hairstyle: Geiko Shimada katsura



Geiko Shimada katsura Make-up: Oshiroi



Oshiroi Kimono: Tomesode hikizuri, plain red or pastel colored nagajuban



Tomesode hikizuri, plain red or pastel colored nagajuban Obi : Taiko musubi/ Yanagi musubi paired with kuromontsuki



: Taiko musubi/ Yanagi musubi paired with kuromontsuki Footwear: Zori/ Geta

Source: Genkokohana on Instagram

The look of Furumachi Geigi

Source: Nimuraya on Exblog

Term Used For Veteran Professional: Geigi

Haistyle: Yohatsu



Yohatsu Makeup: No oshiroi



No oshiroi Kimono: Tomesode, no hikizuri



Tomesode, no hikizuri Obi: Taiko musubi



Taiko musubi Footwear: Zori

Source: Nobikit on Yahooblogs.jp

Geigi, Tomesode and two Furisode

Source: Youji7085 on Instagram

Regional Noteworthiness



- Applicants have to be 18 years old at least to become Furisode. After a few months as a Minarai, she can debut and perform before clients. After a 5 year apprenticeship a Furisode can graduate to Tomesode status but it will take a few more years for her to master the basics of her trade as a fully fledged Tomesode. There are currently 12 associated Furisode and Tomesode.

- Veteran Geigi, independent and associated with an okiya, are referred to as “nee-san”, Tomesode and Furisode managed by the company are called “ryouto-san”

- School of dance is Ichiyama-ryou, founded by Ichiyama Shichijuro, an actor from Osaka.

- Furisode in Niigata are not comparable to Furisode in Asakusa, Tokyo. Latter are a tourist attraction who are called to perform before crowds to traditional and modern music styles but do not supply artistic or conversational entertainment. They are more akin a dance troupe who dress in Furisode, they are not Geisha!

Source: Geishahiroba.tokyo