Special event: New Years celebration & housewarming party

After a cycle of twelve years, the dragon zodiac sign has returned in 2012. In Japan the dragon is a mighty symbol, as it is not only representing power and wisdom, but fortune and prosperity as well (read here and here for learning more).

On top of welcoming this special year, we would like to celebrate with you the opening of our new home! New years house-cleaning is done and everything is furnished cosily. Be the first to see it! Enjoy tea, sake and a special New Years dish, listen to the winterly story about the kasajizo (protective Buddhist stone statues) and have a nice conversation with us.

When: January 2nd, 2012, 11am SLT
Where: click for a SLURL

To celebrate this special day, all Maiko and Geiko of our Okiya will wear formal attire. Please feel encouraged to dress up as well!


Ichisumi
Junior Head Geiko

Triple debut at the SS Galaxy

Dear patrons, friends and companions of the Blue Lotus Okiya,

after several years of training the time has come for me and my sr. Maiko sister Umeha (Hana Hendrassen) to complete our training. For two weeks we have been wearing sakkou, the last hairstyle in Maiko stage, and have blackened our teeth (see photo below). Both is an old tradition originating in the Edo era (1603-1868) and used to be a characteristic of married women. Nowadays it marks the last weeks in Geiko training.

For Umechie, Umeha's younger sister, the day of our erikae (Geiko debut) will be the day of her misedashi, her Maiko debut. Umechie was for internal and other reasons Minarai (Maiko aspirant) in expectation for her debut for more than one year and assumed the responsibility of a jr. Maiko this whole time over. With the retirement of our beloved okaasan Mikido Yoshikawa in January this year she deservedly gained the sr. Maiko rank without ever having officially had her misedashi. This we want to make up now.
On the day she will debut and Umeha and I will become Geiko, both of them will also officially take the sansankudo ceremony. This tying ceremony is an important part of Maiko training and creates a lifelong bond between a young Maiko and a more experienced, older sister who becomes a role model and takes on the responsible task to guide and lead her younger sister in her training. This is also reflected in the name of the young Maiko who takes on a part of the name of her official older sister (oneesan) - like Umechie the "ume" of Umeha. This name expresses her personality and will guide her her Geisha-life long.

The day the three of us are going to debut will be October 1st. From 2-4pm SLT we would like to celebrate this wonderful occasion with you at the Japanese restaurant on the SS Galaxy cruise ship. There will be traditional Japanese dance, music, sake and tea as well as an opportunity to learn more about these traditions and the Blue Lotus Okiya.

Please come and bring high spirits with you. Otano moushimasu (I ask for your support)!


Ichisumi (Leonie Aeon)
Sr. Maiko

Moving on without a home

Dear patrons and friends of the Blue Lotus Okiya,

we want to thank you for everything you have done for us and the Okiya so far. Due to unfortunate circumstances influenced by the RL of the senior Okiya members we have currently lost our home, and will therefore not longer be able to perform on our own land in our own teahouse.
However our Okiya will carry on to exist, even though in slightly modified shape, and though we will no longer be one of the biggest Okiya in SL we will continue to strive to train some of the best Geisha of SL and to entertain as such. Thus we will keep on holding Ozashiki in the Japanese gardens aboard the SS Galaxy twice a month until we find additional places to perform at.

You all have supported us all for a very long time, in stable times as well as in times of change, with actions and nice words. Over all these years, you have been dear patrons, friends and companions of our Okiya and all its members, and not only for us but also for many of you the lands of the Blue Lotus Okiya have served as home and place of retreat. That's why we hope that, despite of all these changes, you will retain as our patrons and continue to support us in the future.

Taking her hands from her lap and moving them from aside to her front, lining up her fingers, Ichisumi bows deeply with respect and gratefulness. "Douzo yoroshuu otano moushimasu! It is such a big favour to ask you, but please bear with us."