Maiko Kitsuke

As part of the kimono display, I put together some maiko kitsuke involving my Oomurasaki Maiko Hikizuri and my Butterfly Darari Obi.

OOMURASAKI - Purple Butterfly
This is the kimono of a maiko (apprentice geisha). You can tell it was worn by and apprentice because of the long dangling sleeces. Kimono with these long sleeves are called "furisode" and they are worn only by young, unmarried women. Maiko kimono can be differentiated from other furisode and stage costumes due to the tucks sewn into the shoulders and sleeves. These tucks are characteristics of children's kimono. The idea is that the tucks can be let out as the child grows, allowing them to continue wearing the kimono. Now why would a maiko kimono include these tucks? Well, quite simply as a nod to the past. Historically, maiko were often as young as 10 years old; still small enough to require their kimono to be let out as they grew. Nowadays, maiko are never younger than 15, but they still wear the sleeve tucks in honour of their predecessors and to emphasize their youth.

This particular kimono once belonged to the Kaida Okiya in the Gion Kobu kagai of Kyoto. It has been worn on a number of occassions by a maiko named Takahiro. You can see a photo of her wearing it here: [link]