Hidekano’s beauty

All Maiko are considered beautiful but this photo really captures their essence perfectly: Their striking elegance, their playful charm, the quiet moment before the tune of the shamisen breaks the silence of anticipation. A gorgeous shot of Hidekano, first Maiko of Masamiya in Pontocho in many years.

Hidekano’s face is a perfect oval, her eyes are sharp with intelligence and her strong will is felt throughout her career, she is one of those exceptional people who seem to be at the right place at the right time. But was it really just luck?

Before she was Hidekano of Pontocho, this unique girl applied to become a Shikomi in Gion Higashi’s Kanoya. She was recognized while out and about with the Kanoya-girls a few years ago. But it was not to be: quietly, she disappeared from Gion Higashi and one day resurfaced in Pontocho. And she caused a big commotion while she was at it too! Masamiya, the okiya from which she debuted was an established ochaya but had not recruited new Maiko in so many years, that it was assumed that the okiya had been newly founded. The lady behind the establishment is ex-Geiko Hisamaru, she debuted in 1982 as a Geiko and in 2007 reopened the Masamiya ochaya. It seems as if she was waiting for a promising girl to step into the picture. Enter Hidekano. Gion Higashi was not prestigious enough for her, her ambition led her to Pontocho, a district that encourages long Geiko careers compared to Kanoya’s Maiko only policy. Hidekano would have had a slim chance to turn her collar in Gion Higashi despite her endurance and enthusiasm but to change districts is a rare practice even during the Shikomi stage. Leave it to Hidekano to create her own way.

May 30th 2018: Hidekano took her first steps as a Maiko on the day of her Misedashi. As she had no official oneesan, a new naming line was founded for her. She looked stunning in a breathtaking Kuromontsuki featuring royal blue waterwaves and the shichifukujin, the seven gods of fortune. Her kanzashi was just as regal as she is, a glistening silver peony. Masculine in character, the king of flowers, as the peony is known, is a symbol of honor and bravery. Fitting for a girl who didn’t give up so easily and pursued her path rigorously.

Source: Strawberry_one_art on Instagram