Festivals and celebrations
Shigyōshiki (始業式)
Location : Kyoto Hanamachi
Date : January 7th & 9th for Kamishichiken Kabukai
Hanamachi : All Hanamachi
Description : Shigyōshiki 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 most sales of the year are commended for their work. They have finale show performed by Geiko and Maiko.
Photo : Shigyoshiki in Gion Kobu
Hatsuyori (初寄り)
Date : January 13th
Location : Home of Inoue Yachiyo
Hanamachi : Gion Kobu
Description : On the day of Hatsuyori, Geiko and Maiko gather at the house of Yachiyo Inoue and honor the arrival of the new year. They drink sake and eat Ozoni (rice cakes in a special soup).
Yachiyo Inoue, head of Inoue school of dance
Setsubun (節分) and Obake (お化け)
Date : February 2nd, 3rd and 4th
Location : Kyoto Hanamachi
Hanamachi : All Hanamachi
Description : Traditionally held on the eve of the New Year according to the old Chinese lunar calendar, special dances are performed and dried soy beans are thrown inside and outside while shouting “Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!” (“Demons out! Luck in!”). Gion Kobu, Gion Higashi, Ponto-chō, and Miyagawa-chō perform at Yasaka Jinja shrine and Kamishichiken hold this event at Kitano Tenman-gū. In the evening, Geiko and Maiko, dress up in costumes and visit the Ochaya.
Mamemaki - bean throwing
Obake dress-up
Baika-sai (梅花祭)
Date : February 25th
Location : Kitano Tenman-gū shrine
Hanamachi : Kamishichiken
Description : This day is held in memorial for Sugawara no Michizane, a famous scholar and polotician of the 9th century. The shrine has a huge plum orchard, in which Sugawara had a deep love for plum blossoms. On this day a large tea ceremony is hosted by the Geiko and Maiko of Kamishichiken on the grounds.
Ōishi-ki (大石忌)
Date : March 20th
Location : Ichiriki Tea House
Hanamachi : Gion Kobu
Description : This ceremony is held at the Ichiriki tea house in memory of Kuranosuke Ōishi, leader of the legendary 47 ronin (master-less samurai) and chief councilor of the Akō clan. Kuranosuke went to the Ichiriki tea house many nights to plan his revenge on those who killed his master. After revenging his masters death Ōishi and his clan committed Seppuku (ritual suicide) on February 14th (in the old lunar calendar, or March 20th in the new Western calendar). During the event guests are served soba noodles and tea. Yachiyo Inoue dances “Fukaki Kokoro” (deep heart) and the Geiko and Maiko dance “Yado no Sakae”.
(sorry, no pictures of this event)
Kitano Odori (北野をどり)
Date : March 25 - April 4th
Location : Kamishichiken Kaburen-jō
Hanamachi : Kamishichiken
Description : Dance performance by Kamishichiken Kabukai. This dance started in 1952 as a dedication for the 1050th anniversary of the Kitano Tenman-gū shrine. It is performed in the Hanayagi dancing style. New themes are chosen each year.
Miyako Odori (都をどり)
Date : April 1st - 30th
Location : Gion Kobu Kaburen-jō
Hanamachi : Gion Kobu
Description : Dance performance by the Gion Kobu Kabukai in the Inoue dancing style. It was first performed during the 1872 Kyoto International Exposition and has been held every year since (except during the war). New themes are chosen each year.
Kyo Odori (京おどり)
Date : 1st to 3rd Saturday in April
Location : Miyagawa-chō Kaburen-jō
Hanamachi : Miyagawa-chō
Description : Dance performance by the Miyagawa-chō Kabukai, which started in 1950. It is choreographed in the Wakayagi dancing style. New themes are chosen each year.
Kamogawa Odori (鴨川をどり)
Date : May 1st - 24th
Location : Ponto-chō Kaburen-jō
Hanamachi : Ponto-chō
Description : Dance performance by Ponto-chō Kabukai. The first performance was held in the Ponto-chō district in 1872. The dance is directed by the head of the Onoe Kikunojo school. New themes are chosen each year.
(photo from http://www1.odn.ne.jp)
Gokagai Godoukouen (五花街合同公演) or Miyako no Nigiwai (都の賑い)
Date : 2nd Saturday to 2nd Sunday in June
Location : Kyoto Kaikan Dai-Ichi Hall
Hanamachi : All Hanamachi
Desrciption : Dance performance by all five districts. This event has been held annually since 1994, when it was held as one of the events for Kyoto’s 1200th year anniversary celebration. New themes are chosen each year.
Miyabi-kai (みやび会)
Date : Early July
Location : Yasaka Jinja shrine
Hanamachi : Gion Kobu
Description : At the start of summer, led by Yachiyo Inoue, Geiko and Maiko of Gion Kobu, wearing matching, newly designed yukata (summer kimono), pray for performance ability, health and prosperity at Yasaka shrine.
(photo by Onihide)
Gion Matsuri (祇園祭)
Date : July 1st - 31th
Location : Kyoto
Hanamachi : Gion Kobu, Miyagawa-chō, Ponto-chō and Gion Higashi
Description : Gion Matsuri is one of the festivals of Yasaka shrine. The festival dates back to the 9th century when a series of plagues were raging throughout the country. The deity of the Yasaka shrine is said to protect the health of Kyoto and Japan. The climax of the festival is a procession of large floats. The Geiko and Maiko of Gion Kobu, Miyagawa-cho, Ponto-cho and Gion Higashi participate in the festivities by riding in Hanagasa Junko floats and performing dances at Yasaka shrine.
Hassaku (八朔)
Date : August 1st
Location : Kyoto Hanamachi
Hanamachi : All Hanamachi
Description : On this day Maiko and Geiko of all five districts pay their respects to the all teachers, Ochaya and Okiya they are indebted to.
(photo from http://waxfruit.tumblr.com)
in the photo:Ayano and Fumino of Gion Kobu,Fukushima okiya
Kotobuki-kai (寿会)
Date : Early October
Hanamachi : Kamishichiken
Location : Kamishichiken Kaburen-jō
Description : Annual Autumn dance performance by Kamishichiken Kabukai. New themes are chosen each year.
Zuiki Matsuri (瑞饋祭)
Date : October 1st - 4th
Hanamachi : Kamishichiken
Location :
Description : An autumn harvest festival during early October. On the 4th, Zuiki Mikoshi (good harvest floats) pass through the Kamishicken district heading to the Kitano Tenman-gū shrine. The Maiko and Geiko stand in front on the establishments they are associated with to view the festivities.
Onshu-kai (温習会)
Date : October 1st - 6th
Hanamachi : Gion Kobu
Location : Gion Kobu Kaburen-jō
Description : Annual Autumn dance performance by Gion Kobu Kabukai. New themes are chosen each year.
Mizue-kai (みずゑ會)
Date : October 11th - 14th
Hanamachi : Miyagawa-chō
Location : Miyagawa-chō Kaburen-jō
Description : Annual Autumn dance performance by Miyagawa-chō Kabukai. New themes are chosen each year.
by http://kyoto-images.blogspot.com
Suimei-kai (水明会)
Date : Mid October
Hanamachi : Ponto-chō
Location : Ponto-chō Kaburen-jō
Description : Annual Autumn dance performance by Ponto-chō Kabukai. New themes are chosen each year.
-no photo,sorry-
Gion Odori (祇園をどり)
Date : November 1st - 10th
Location : Gion Kaikan
Hanamachi : Gion Higashi
Description : The first performance was in 1894. The dances are directed and choreographed by the head of the Monjuro Fujima school of dance. New themes are chosen each year.
http://japaneseties.blogspot.com/
Tsubaki-kai (椿会)
Date : November 7th
Location : Gion Kobu Kaburen-jō
Hanamachi : Gion Kobu
Description : A recital by the teachers of Inoue Kyo-mai and Gion Kobu Geiko and Maiko.
-no photo-
Kanikakuni-sai (かにかくに祭)
Date : November 8th
Location : Gion Shirakawa River
Hanamachi : Gion Kobu
Description : In memory of the poet Yoshii Isamu who deeply loved Gion. On this day Maiko and Geiko of Gion Kobu offer chrysanthemum flowers and pray at the monument of this famous poet. After the flower offering, the Geiko and Maiko serve tea and soba noodles.
On the monument it reads:
“Kanikakuni,
Gion wa Koishi.
Nuru toki mo
Makurano Shita wo Mizu no Nagaruru.”
“No matter what they say,
I love Gion.
Even in my sleep
The sound of water
Flows beneath my pillow.”
http://www.geocities.jp/ura_kyoto_matsuri/
Kaomise Sō-ken (顔見世総見)
Date : Early December
Location : Minami-za Theatre
Hanamachi : All Hanamachi
Description : At the end of November, the famous Minami-za theater hangs out the annual Maneki, wooden sign boards that announce the names of the Kabuki actors in the Kaomise (face showing) performances, in a tradition of over 300 years. The best actors of the Kabuki worlds come to Kyoto for 26 days of performances. On each of the 5 at the beginning of the performance period, Maiko and Geiko of each district make a colorful appearance at the theater. Each Maiko wears a hair ornament with miniature Maneki tags that their favorite actor will sign after the performance.
Up - The theatre with Kabuki actors’ nameplates hung outside
Down - a signed December kanzashi
Koto-hajime (事始め)
Date : December 13th
Location : Kyoto Hanamachi
Hanamachi : All Hanamachi
Description : Koto-hajime literally translated means “things first”. As part of the New Year preparations, Maiko and Geiko show their appreciation and convey their best wishes for the passing year to those who have helped throughout it. They give gifts of Kagami Mochi (rice cakes) to the tea houses they are affiliated with, to ensure good relations in the future.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=rMlv0EfQHoE
Video of Kotohajime
Okotou-san (おことうさん) and Okerabi (おけら火)
Date : December 31st
Location : Kyoto Hanamachi
Hanamachi : Gion Kobu and Miyagawa-cho
Description : On the last day of the year, Maiko and Geiko visit the Ochaya with the greeting “Okotou-san dosu”. They are give Fukudama as gifts which contain little trinkets. Later that night, they walk to Yasaka shrine to light a straw rope (when lit, it is called an okerabi or “returing fire”) with which to light the first fire of the year. Cooking Ozoni (rice cakes in a special soup) is said to bring good luck.
This list is from http://tsurukomaiko.freeforums.org
Also, I don’t have credits of all the photos here, so if you recognise some, please tell me so I can add the photographer’s name to the photo.
