August 1st is Hassaku, the day when geisha dress in their most formal black kimono and pay visits to all the ochaya and okiya in their district. In second life, there's generally only one ochaya per hanamachi, so instead geisha visit all the hanamachi they can in one day.
Matsubaya participated in this tradition today for the first time, and we were welcomed very kindly by many groups. Before Higurashi-neesan and I headed out, we sat for a little chat.
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| I know our tanabata decorations are still up rather late, but don't they just add cheer to the room? |
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| a last view of my hairstyle as a kamuro |
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| Isn't she just beautiful? |
Then we went on the first round of Hassaku visits, to Gion Higashi and the Mitsuhana okiya. I got to pet a kitty there! From there we went to Little Yoshiwara, where Yoneyu the okaasan and Sayu, a geisha, graciously recieved us. It was rather early, so I hope we didn't wake them up!
Next up was Pontocho, but no one was there. We visited the Susanoo shrine, and I bought some good luck charms.
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| My new profile picture |
I was promoted to shinzo during the day, and had rather a rapid growth spurt. My name is now Umetsuki, Plum Moon. The moon part of the name pays respect to my Oneesama Tsukuyomi.
We went on a second round of visits in the afternoon. Tsukinoya yukaku
in Hosoi, Hanafusa okiya in Miyagawacho, Mitsuhana in Gion Higashi,
Kaishi Chou okiya... A flurry of visiting! The only one I snapped pictures for was Hanafusa and Tsukinoya.
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| Higurashi-neesan, Ryoichiro-niisan, and me visiting Tsukinoya in Hosoi |
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| Higurashi-neesan with geisha from both Hanafusa and Mitsuhana |
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| Ryoichiro-niisan, a kagema of Matsubaya. Tsukihana-san of Mitsuhana is on the far right. |
And then we had to head to Tenrai Yukaku, to prepare for our part in the grand performance that was part of their grand re-opening in a new location. This was my first time dancing on stage.
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| Umetsuki, Higurashi-neesan, Momoirobara-chan |
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| I enjoyed dancing, as you can tell from the smile |
After the performance, at which Tsukinoya also performed, we went to Gion Kobu and the Karyukai okiya for our last visit of the night.
The ladies of Karyukai gifted me with a pink fan and a bottle of sake. I drank it immediately so as not to offend. The effects that had on me later at the ozashiki brought on an oath to never touch sake again! Considering my future profession, I probably won't keep to that oath for many years.
My elders in both Tenrai and Matsubaya kept making jokes that confused me. (sexual) Perhaps I will understand better when I grow up. Something about a futon being warmer with two people?
My elders left rather suddenly, and my head was dizzy, so I didn't manage to keep up with them. Kitami, okaasan of Tenrai, looked after me and served me tea to combat the effects of the alcohol. Higurashi came soon after to bring me home.
Now I spend my days preparing for my grand debut as a shinzo. Oneesama has been teaching me dances.
