KYOTO -- The annual "Kagai Soken," in which geiko and their "maiko" apprentices from Kyoto's five famous "hanamachi" entertainment districts gather to see a special Kabuki show to introduce new actors for the following year, began at the Minamiza Theatre in this western Japan city's Higashiyama Ward on Dec. 3.

       A little over 40 geiko and maiko in the Miyagawacho hanamachi district watched the "Kichirei Kaomise Kogyo" performance while wearing masks on top of white makeup and gorgeous kimonos.

       The annual event aims to improve the performance of arts, and is a traditional event in December. Due to the spread of the coronavirus, Miyagawacho refrained from participating in 2020. Geiko and maiko who attended the event last year also watched without dressing up to prevent crowds from gathering in front of the Minamiza Theatre.

       Participants were able to appear in their usual colorful attire this year. It is customary for maiko to put on a "kanzashi" hair accessory with flowers that resembles a "maneki" wooden signboard showing actors' names that is hung in front of the theater building. Each maiko visits a dressing room to get their favorite actor to write their name on the hair accessory, but as a coronavirus countermeasure, it was decided that all kanzashi were to be delivered by Minamiza Theatre and returned later.

       Geiko and maiko from the Gion Kobu, Pontocho, Gion Higashi and Kamishichiken hanamachi districts were also set to watch the Kabuki show from Dec. 6 to Dec. 10. The final performance of Kichirei Kaomise Kogyo will be held on Dec. 23.

       (Japanese original by Yoko Minami, Kyoto Bureau)

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