The birth of Himeka
A/N A list of all the geisha names for Aki, Nika, and Aya. Aki =Himeyuki, Aya =Tamakichi, Nika= Yatsuha
"Um... well... Shizuma … You see a whore is a …."
"A what Aki-neesan?"
How on earth do I explain this to a child? Aki pondered.
"I prefer refer to them as courtesans instead of whores. How do I put this? A courtesan is a woman, who shares her things with everyone."
"How generous. Neesan what does she share?", Shizuma asked.
"A … She shares her candy and some people come from far to get it."
"Courtesans must have very delicious candy, to make people take long trips to get it." Shizuma added.
"You …can put it that way. "Aki said nervously.
-X-X-X-X-
"You compared it to candy! "Nika chuckled, while holding her sides.
"I wanted to preserve her innocence." Aki replied.
"At least you weren't way off, they do serve candy just not the kind you get in stores." Nika laughed.
"What if Shizuma goes to a brothel looking for candy?'' Aya said laughing
"We don't have to worry about her going there, since she isn't allowed to go anywhere without an escort." Aki said
-X-X-X-X
Aki returned to the backyard, carrying a bucket of snow. She placed it next to Shizuma and instructed the girl to dip her fingers into it. Despite, being confused she did what her sister wanted.
"Neesan, why must I do this?" the confused girl, asked.
"This will teach you to play well, if you become nervous."
Recalling the melody, she learned in class; Shizuma began to play. While playing her shamisen, Shizuma felt someone sitting next to her, it was Miyuki.
"Ne, Shizuma. I never thanked you for saving me."
"Huh?"
"I know, you tried to save me by insulting Katsu. So, she would focus more on you instead of me. Thank you. "
Miyuki said, before walking away leaving the silver haired maiden, to continuing practicing.
-X-X-X-X
Four years later
Early in the morning Sadako and Shizuma visited a priest at the shrine.
"I want the best for my precious Shizuma. Please, help me choose a good stage name for her." Mother said to the priest, while caressing the young girl's back.
Shizuma found it strange, that mother was being very affectionate. She expected this behavior from Aki; but not mother.
Why is she being so nice to me suddenly? Did someone kidnap the original mother, and replace her with this nice lady?
Shizuma was surprised, that the same woman who tried to sell Miyuki to a brothel, and previously referred to Shizuma as a brat, was acting quite differently in front of the priest.
"I will see what I can do." Said the priest.
As the priest walked to the corner room and began chanting, Shizuma spied on him out of curiosity, while praying with mother.
When he was finished, the priest wrote several names on a piece of paper, then handed it to mother to glance over.
"I like the number of strokes in this name." mother smiled.
"Ah, Himeka. Princess of song." The priest replied, while glancing at the name.
"Cherish this name Shizuma." Mother said to the young girl.
The priest wrote Shizuma's new name on a small wooden plank, which he hung on the ceiling, that held other planks with the names of, all the maiko and geishas in the hanamachi.
-X-X-X-X
That night while her sisters were out working, Shizuma practiced for her exam.
"Why are you doing that dance?'' asked Miyuki.
"It's for my exam, if I pass I will become a minarai." Replied Shizuma.
"It's going to take a long time for me to catch up to you." Miyuki said.
"Your exam will be in the next 3 months, and You have us. There is no need to worry." Shizuma said, while still dancing.
"Mind if I just watch? There is nothing to do right now."
"Go ahead. I can use an audience since; the koi aren't interested in my dance."
"Are you nervous about taking your exam? I heard if you mess up they will hit you with a fan."
"I don't I have anything to worry about." Shizuma said haughtily.
-X-X-X-X
Returning late, from work Aki noticed Shizuma waiting in the living room.
"Aki-neesan, welcome back. May I help you get undress?"
"Shizu-chan you don't have to do that."
"You've been letting me slide for months. Please, let me help you."
"If you insist." Aki replied.
"Neesan what was your exam like?" Shizuma asked, loosening Aki's obi.
"We were tested on how well we danced. Hmm, did you want to help me for trips on your exam?"
"No…. Oneesan of course not." Shizuma responded, nervously.
While Shizuma and Aki were still conversing, in the changing room, mother interrupted them.
"Did any of you, see my Tale of Genji book?" inquired mother, while standing outside the room.
"No mother" Aki fibbed.
"Aki-neesan, I think it's time you return that book." Shizuma whispered.
"I will. I just don't have enough time to read it, because I've been so busy." Aki replied.
"Aki-neesan, you don't want to make mother angry." Shizuma warned
"What she doesn't know, won't hurt her."
-X-X-X-X
While swigging a jug of sake, Nika eyed the door trying not to get caught. She hastily placed the jug back into its hiding spot, when she heard screen door slide open.
"No, Nika there is no need to hide your sake. Keep drinking, we all know, you love it more than anything in the world ." Aya said, sarcastically.
"There is something I love even more than sake." Nika said.
"What?'' Aya asked, perplexed
"You." Nika smiled
"Oh please." Aya said rolling her eyes
"It was always, you that I loved. What turned you against me?"
"I will inherit this house one day from mother. She will never accept us." Aya said, plainly.
Hearing these words felt like a blow to Nika's heart. She grabbed Aya pulling her in for a kiss.
"You know you want to." Nika said, seductively
"That was a long time ago and even if I did, I would not want to kiss a drunk woman."
Angered, by the rejection Nika stomped out of the room.
-X-X-X-X
"Remember to make small movements, while you dance." Mother instructed Shizuma while she waited to take the exam.
Shizuma took mental notes of mother's tips. While still waiting, she glanced at the girls, who previously entered the testing room with confidence only to see them return in tears. There was a lot to lose and this made her a nervous. Shizuma did not want to disappoint anyone; specially not Aki.
Take a deep breath and calm down.
"Himeka, it's time for your exam." Said an instructor.
Shizuma followed the instructor to the exam room, inside there were four female instructors sitting with stern expressions on their faces. Across the room sat a geisha holding a shamisen, and another woman with a big fan hand.
So, Miyuki was right along.
They stared at Shizuma watching her every step. Turning her back to the audience, Shizuma knelt and waited for the music to start.
As the music began, she got up, and spun around quickly crossing her hands against her chest, then moving them up and down. Slowly she crept up to her audience, as if she were trying gaze at something in the distance, while placing, her kimono sleeve by her mouth, she raised her kimono hem slightly revealing traces of her scarlet red under kimono. She pressed her left hand to her chest and raised the other over her forehead. As if she were shielding it from the sun, then spread her arms out and moved it back to her chest again. Moving away she turned to her side holding her left palm out and wiggled her fingers slowly. Placing her left hand back at her chest and the other in front of her face and slowly moving her head as if she were a snake.
The instructors stared in awe, for a while only music and singing could be heard.
Do they like it? The woman with the fan hasn't moved an inch, maybe I'm doing well. Shizuma pondered.
"She dances very, well doesn't she?" said, one of the instructors who was later shushed by another. This almost made the silver-haired girl smirk, as she had realized she hooked two of them with her dance.
Looks like I got my answer
Shizuma Knelt and motioned her hands as if she was opening a makeup compact and pretended to apply make, to her face and neckline. While still kneeling she then pretended to pour sake into a cup. She stood back up again placing her kimono sleeve back at her mouth and turning back and forth while playing with it, before finishing the song by kneeling and bowing to her spectators.
"Congratulations, you passed." Said one of the instructors with a huge smile on her face. Shizuma wanted to blush, but she hid it under a serious façade
"Arigato gozaimasu." Said Shizuma walking out of the room.
"How did it go?'' mother asked
"I passed." Shizuma said flashing a small smile.
When Mother and Shizuma returned home, they saw Aki and Aya waiting outside for them.
"How was it?" asked Aki.
"I passed "Shizuma smiled.
Overjoyed Aya and Aki, bear hugged the silver-haired girl.
"We're so proud of you." They said.
"We have a surprise for you. Close your eyes, and don't open them until I tell you to." Said Aki, ushering Shizuma into the house.
Aki lead Shizuma into the dining room and told her to open her eyes. When she opened them, she saw Nika and Miyuki standing next to the dining table.
"Come sit, we made your favorite, takoyaki." Nika said.
"You all did this for me?" asked Shizuma.
"Of Course." Aya replied.
"Congratulations, Oneesan." Miyuki said hugging Shizuma.
-X-X-X-X
Later Aki treated Shizuma to dessert, at a restaurant that Aki frequents.
"You don't have to spend all this money on me Oneesan."
"Don't worry, it's on the house you can order as much as you want." Aki reassured her
"I've always wanted to try mitarashi-dango." Said Shizuma, as they entered the restaurant.
"Aki, welcome and who might this little one be?" said the shopkeeper, peeking from his kitchen.
"This is my younger sister, Himeka. She will be starting her debut next month."
"Congratulations, Himeka. I am Ichiro a friend of your sister's."
Shizuma ordered two skewers of mitarashi-dango and green tea, while Aki and the shop keeper chatted as if they hadn't seen each other in years.
-X-X-X-X
Aki presented Shizuma with a pair of okobo placing it at the young girl's feet.
"I would like you to practice walking in these."
"Why are the shoes so tall neesan?" said Shizuma, inspecting the shoes.
"It will help keep your kimono train, and obi from touching the ground."
Stepping into the hollow wooden clogs, Shizuma held Aki's hand tightly as she took baby steps to help keep herself steady.
"Slowly now and hold your kimono hem while you walk." Said Aki.
"This brings back memories, of when I first walked in okobo." Nika said
"I'm going to let go now ok." Aki warned Shizuma.
"Neesan…"
"You can do it, Shizuma."
As Aki let go of Shizuma's hand, the young girl's legs began to wobble in the scandals.
"Ah… She's wobbling." Nika said
"Don't worry, she'll be fine." Said Aki, keeping her eyes focused on Shizuma, who was still struggling in the shoes.
"Ok, now walk back to me, we have to get this perfectly for your debut."
Aki made Shizuma practice until she was able to walk perfectly in the okobo.
-X-X-X-X
"I'm so exhausted, I don't want to see another okobo again!" Shizuma yelled as she collapsed on the tatami floor, after her practiced session with Aki.
As she lay on the floor, she opened her eyes to see Miyuki standing over her.
"I feel the same, I don't want to see another broom again."
"join me" said Shizuma
Miyuki got down on the ground and lying next to her.
"Hey Shizuma, what are you thinking about?"
"I'm thinking about, how every bone in my body hurts, because Aki Oneesan made me practice so much."
"I saw your wobbly performance earlier." Miyuki teased.
"Don't laugh, I worked really hard on that.'' Shizuma smiled, while playfully tickling Miyuki as punishment.
"Shizuma, can we share a futon tonight. I feel so much safer, when I sleep next to you."
"You really need to get over, your fear of the dark." Shizuma teased.
-X-X-X-X
Shizuma and Miyuki chatted while sharing a futon.
"Miyuki, do you know who your older sister will be?"
"Um… I heard that Nika-Oneesan might be my older sister."
"Nika-Oneesan? But she's always tipsy."
"Maybe, she will teach me how to drink sake." Giggled Miyuki pretending to drink from a sake cup.
"What on earth was mother thinking?" Shizuma said, in an angry tone.
"Does mother even know, that Nika-Oneesan gets drunk often?" asked Miyuki
"Now that I think about it, I don't think so. Aya and Aki-Oneesan does a great job covering it up. I've seen her come home intoxicated, few times when I stayed up to help them." Shizuma explained.
"I heard despite this, she's still popular geisha, and she didn't always have a drinking problem." Miyuki said
"Really, Nika-Oneesan loves sake more than anything in this world. I can't picture her being sober. By the way how on earth do you know all this?"
"You can find out many things, if you press your ears to walls at the right time." Miyuki said wrapping her arms around Shizuma as the two fell asleep.
Something tells me, being afraid of the dark isn't the only reason she likes to sleep next to me.
-X-X-X-X
In the bedroom, Aya scolded Nika for becoming inebriated at the late-banquet.
"I am so sick of this" Aya bellowed.
"Sick of what?" Nika teased.
"I'm sick of your constant drunkenness."
"My drunkenness? It's not like anyone got upset. You need to lighten up." Nika giggled
"Lighten up! You need to stop drinking like a damn fish."
"Fishes don't drink, they swim Aya." Nika said, while gazing out of the window.
"Don't get smart with me! I know fishes don't drink. It's an expression. What can I do to stop you from drinking?"
"Be with me." Said Nika.
"I'm always with you."
"I know, I say I love sake more than anything in this world. But the truth is I love you more than anything. It pains me to see you flirt with those men, there was a time you used to flirt with me like that. Aya, if you say you'd be with me. I would stop drinking in a heartbeat."
"Nika, you must be very intoxicated, it's probably the sake talking. Now if you excuse, I will be going to the bath house." Aya said, grabbing her towel, and wash cloth.
"It's not the sake talking, it's the real me. Aya, when did your heart turn so cold, is it because you will inherit this house?" Nika bellowed
"I can't run this okiya with a drunkard." Aya said plainly, stepping out of the room and shut the screen door. While Nika sobbed uncontrollably.
-X-X-X-X
Aki and Shizuma went to the hair salon, because today would be the first time, Shizuma would join her sisters at the tea house.
"Ah Himeyuki-san, what can I do for you today?" said the stylist.
"No, it's not for me it's for Himeka." Replied Aki
"this is your little sister? she's so cute. Himeka come with me" Said the hair stylist.
The stylist made a small part at the center of Shizuma's head, then she made two more side parts taking a hot steaming cloth to smooth out the silver head's wavy hair. Before forming them into small side waves. She also formed a tiny wave at the front of her head. For the finishing touches she brought Shizuma's long strains of hair together to form an upside down crescent moon and inserted a red cushion into the crescent shaped bun.
"All done!" said the hairdresser
"She looks prefect, thank you so much." Aki said, while paying the hairdresser. When Shizuma returned home, her kimono dresser who was sitting with mother waiting for her.
"I laid out your outfit you tonight, Umino will help you get dress." Said mother
Shizuma walked into the dressing, room to see a beautiful pink silk Kimono with cherry blossom patterns waiting for her.
"Are you nervous, ojou -san?" said, Umino while helping put on Shizuma a red under kimono.
"Only a little bit Umino-san, I'm not sure what to say to the clients."
"Don't worry, your kimono will do the talking for you. And the proprietress of the tea house, will teach you the art of conversation and party games. Remember, you are a minarai now so place close attention to your sister." He said, while picking up the second kimono that was green.
"What do you mean, by my kimono will do the talking for me?" inquired Shizuma
"Take a good look at your kimono, see how elaborate the designs are and the bright colors. It's a great conversation starter. Your older sister, on the other hand does not need this, because she is a skilled geisha." Umino said, before taking the pink cherry blossom print kimono from the rack.
"Oh, I get it now. Thank you Umino -san."
"Good luck ojou-san." Umino said, securing a short golden sash around Shizuma's chest.
"Aww, Shizu-chan looks so cute." Aki said, as Shizuma stepped out of the room.
"Oh, thank you Nee-san. You look beautiful as always."
-X-X-X-X
Inside the tea house was filled with an aroma of incense. The group entered a room, where Kimiko the Okaa-san of the tea house waited for them. Kimiko was a very successful geisha that retired at eighteen years old and became an Okami. This made her the talk of the town.
"Good afternoon Okaa-san." Everyone said, unison.
"Good afternoon. I had prepared Himeka's sashigami for her debut." Kimiko said
Showing red and white dyed rectangular paper to, Aki and Shizuma that had their stage names written in black calligraphy ink.
"I love it. Okaa-san thank you." Aki smiled
"I will give it to the guests, so they can attend. Ah, I almost forgot to explain the rules. Now Himeka, just like there are rules in your okiya that you must follow the same, goes for this tea house. No drinking, unless the client asks you to drink with them, but since you are still a child you are not allowed to drink at all. Also, no fighting and when there are courtesans presents please do not interact with their guests. Do you understand."
"Yes Okaa-san" Shizuma replied.
"Now that you are a minarai, you will also be under my tutelage as well. I will teach you how to play party games and chat with clients. Now remember to pay close attention to your big sister and be on your best behavior. "
"Yes Okaa-san ." Shizuma replied bowing her head to the Okaa-san.
The group was lead into another room, where a man sat blowing smoke rings.
"There are my girls, and who might this unfamiliar face be?" he said smiling
"This is my little sister Himeka." Aki replied
"Ah Hime."
"No, Konda-san her name is Himeka."
"Oh, I see." Said Konda.
"Himeyuki and Tamakichi. Why don't you show Himeka the dance moves that made you famous?"
"Certainly." Aki and Aya replied
Silently, Nika picked up her shamisen and walked to the front of the room.
"Any requests Konda-san?"
"Play, Kyo no Shiki."
Nika nodded and began to play her Shamisen and sing, while Aya and Aki danced to the tune.
"Ah, this is one of my favorites." Konda said to Shizuma.
I never knew that Nika had such a beautiful voice, it's as if her voice is the song's atmosphere. Shizuma thought.
-X-X-X-X
Aki and Shizuma went next door to another tea house and met with another client, who often complained about his wife. Aki felt more like his therapist than his geisha.
"I only married her, because my parents made me. Did you know what that wench did today?" Hizushi shouted.
"What did she do?" Aki asked pretending to be interested.
"That wench had the nerve to throw out all my sake, she said I drink too much! You know, Himeyuki if I had it my way, I would marry you instead."
"Oh, Lucky me" Aki said sarcastically.
I thought Nika's drinking was bad, but this guy could give Nika a run for her money.
"Hizushi-san I think you should get some rest, it's getting very late." Aki suggested.
"Oh no, the night is still young. Just burn another incense and get me some more sake." Replied Hizushi.
"Hai" Aki said, reluctantly, while pouring him another cup of sake.
How does his wife put up with him? The woman must be a saint. Shizuma thought to herself.
Oh Kami-sama, please let this be over soon. I can't believe he wants to burn another incense. Kami-sama, please save me I promise if you get me out of this. I will give mother her book back. Aki pleaded.
Just then the Okaa-san came into the room interrupting the three.
"Himeyuki, Adachi has requested for you to come see him." Said the Okaa-san
"What, but she isn't finished with me Okaa-san, I was about to tell her more about my wife." Hizushi roared
"Hizushi-san, Himeyuki has go. Her other clients are waiting, please save the story for next time. And you should stop drinking so much, it's not good for your health." The Okaa-san pleaded.
"You sound like my wife!" Hizushi bellowed
"It's time for you to go home Hizushi-san."
"Oh, just like my wife always telling me when to come back home, listen here Missy. I'm a grown man and I go home when I feel like it!"
Angered by Hizushi's harsh words, the proprietress whistled, and a tall samurai with two swords tucked in his sash entered the room.
"Is there a problem here ma'am?" asked the samurai.
"No. There is no problem. Oh my, would you look at the time I should be getting back to my wife and kids." Hizushi said, racing out of the tea house.
-X-X-X-X
"Oh, we have a new comer who might she be?" asked Adachi while glancing at Shizuma.
"This is my younger sister Himeka."
"Hello there Himeka-san, I'm Adachi."
"Adachi is a samurai." Aki informed Shizuma.
"I bet you've heard of me Himeka, I am quite famous for fighting in the Satomi war." Adachi boasted
"I'm sorry Adachi-san, but I've never heard of you." Shizuma replied
"What!"
"Well She's only twelve Adachi-san, she doesn't know much about wars." Aki said dryly.
"Hey, Himeka, want to hold a real sword?" Adachi took his sword from under the table and gave it to Shizuma.
"It's heavy." Shizuma she said amazed.
"Where's Daisuke, he usually comes with you?" asked Aki
"He got sick and wasn't able to make it." Adachi replied
"I almost forgot, I got you a present." Adachi said, taking out a lacquered black box.
"Oh, Adachi-san you shouldn't have." gushed Aki, opening the small bag, revealing a red lacquered hair clip with a round bottom and curved tip and a red lacquered comb with golden hand painted cranes on it.
"It's beautiful! Thank you, Adachi-san." Said Aki, holding the comb in her hands.
"There is no need to be formal, just Adachi is fine. Ah, let me do it." Said Adachi, placing the clip into Aki's hair.
"Do you say that to all the girls A-da-chi?" Aki said, saying Adachi's name in a seductive matter.
"Only the special ones." Adachi giggled.
"And here I thought that I was your only special girl." Aki joked.
-X-X-X-X
"I'm so tired." Shizuma yawned.
"Well it's not over yet, we have five more clients." Said Aki.
"Ehh!"
"It will take some getting use to Shizu-chan." Aki laughed.
-X-X-X-X
Aki gave Shizuma a pink and red takamakura that, was embellished with hand painted red flowers and blue leaves. She placed a white cloth at the top to prevent it from being soiled and It had a curved wooden base that allowed slight rocking motion.
"What is this?" asked Shizuma
"It's a takamakura, it's used to preserve hairstyles while you sleep." Aki explained
"It looks uncomfortable." Shizuma said annoyed
"You'll get used to it. I have one too see." said Aki displaying her takamakura, which had an orange base, and a cushion that was white with orange diamond shaped patterns. Shizuma had seen Aki resting her head on this device several times, but she had no idea what it was for, until now. Aki placed a ring of rice powder around the base.
"Try your best not to get any powder in your hair." Aki warned.
Shizuma tried her best to sleep, but the cushion was very uncomfortable. She tried shifting positions, but it was of no use. She envied Miyuki who slept peacefully beside her.
Miyuki is so lucky, she doesn't have to sleep on this monstrosity.
Shizuma thought to herself, while tapping the small cushion trying to make it comfortable.
The next morning for the first day of, Shizuma's misedashi mother decorated the okiya walls and outside of the okiya with red and white paper that had messages on it wishing Aki and Shizuma well and some had auspicious images. Then she accompanied Shizuma to her misedashi ceremony.
Shizuma wore a plain pink kimono, and pink obi with a red cord tied in the middle. Her silver tresses were tucked in a simple bun, with one wavy strand peeking out and long bangs that framed her face perfectly. While Mother wore an olive-green kimono, with a creamed colored obi and a simple updo. Beaming with joy she looked at Shizuma lovingly.
Aki has a great eye for talent, maybe she will become a great Okami one day. Mother and Shizuma entered, an apartment that belonged to Aki's older sister Himeichi. Aki approached the two, dressed in an elegant black kimono with white flower patterns on the sleeves.
"You look lovely." Said Aki, flashing a smile at her younger sister.
"Thank you, Aki-Oneesan."
Shizuma, Aki, and mother entered a room, that was already prepared for them. Inside there were two people seated, Aki's older sister Himeichi and Umino, who were waiting patiently for the group.
"Welcome ojou-san, I will also be presiding over your ceremony. This lovely woman here is Aki's older sister Himeichi, she will be joining us." Said Umino.
"It's nice to finally meet you Himeka." Himeichi said to Shizuma.
Umino showed them to their seats, where Shizuma sat in the middle of mother and him while Aki and Himeichi sat across from the three.
"Thank you, for taking Himeka as a little sister. She knows so little of this world please guide her." Umino addressed Aki.
"Thank you, it's my honor to take care of her." Aki replied placing her hands on the floor and bowing.
"Please take care of her." Mother and Umino replied in unison also bowing.
"Please take care of me." Shizuma bowed
"Himeyuki has a great reputation as a geisha. So, you will enjoy the benefit of your sister's good name. But you must work hard to maintain this. If you fail, it is your sister who will take the blame. Do your best to protect the Hime- line" Said Umino.
Umino poured sake into 3 cups then gave the first one to Aki which she took three sips from, then he poured sake into the cup again this time giving it to Shizuma who also took three sips. They repeated the process with the last two cups. Then he poured sake in the cups again, which Aki and Shizuma to continue the same process with mother and Himeichi.
"Congratulations to you both." Umino said to Aki and Shizuma concluding the ceremony.
After the ritual mother and Shizuma headed to her school to thank them for training her and inform them about her debut.
-X-X-X-X
On the second day of Shizuma's misedashi mother hired a makeup artist. Several Geishas from the hanamachi gathered in the dressing room to watch Shizuma get ready. First the makeup artist dipped her big brush into a jar of white paste, then mixed it into a dish filled water before applying it to the sides of Shizuma's neck and neckline. Shizuma lowered the collar of her white gold leaf under kimono as artist applied her makeup. Aki sat next to the two keeping a watchful eye. After dipping the brush back into the white paste, the artist applied paste to Shizuma's face as if she were painting a canvas, then smoothing it with a smaller brush.
This reminds me of the days when Chizuru would help me get dress, I wonder what happened to her? will I ever see her again?
For the final touches, the makeup artist took another small brush and painted the center of Shizuma's lower lip red in a half moon shape, making the silver-haired girl's bottom lip appear smaller. The she painted the young girl's eyebrows red and outlining her eyes with red and black colors. Everyone watched closely as the artist worked her magic.
After Shizuma's makeup was finished Umino stepped in to help her get dress. First, he placed a red kimono over, her white gold leaf under kimono, and for the final layer he placed a gorgeous black kimono adored with colorful butterflies for the finally touches. Shizuma held her long sleeves out of the way, while Umino tied a long golden sash around her waist that had large flower patterns with hints of silver on it.
Mother took over by placing special hair ornaments into Shizuma's hair. She placed a metal butterfly shaped pin that had pearls lined on it in the center of Shizuma's bun. Then a long dangling cherry blossom ornament, that reached down to Shizuma's chin, on the left side of her hair and on the front right side she put a tortoise shell clip and underneath the bun tucked in two small rectangular silver plates. Everyone congratulated Shizuma and wished her well.
Mother told Shizuma to face forward, as she struck the flint creating little sparks.
"Aww, she looks like such a beautiful doll. I wish she was my little sister, Himeyuki is so lucky." One geisha whispered.
"I am standing right here, Amekichi-neesan." Her younger sister said in a sad tone.
"off you go. "said mother, to the silver-haired girl.
Shizuma opened the door and saw the towns folk who were waiting to catch a glimpsed of her. She stepped into her wooden okobo, and smiled at the crowd, as she stood next to Aki.
"May present a new maiko and younger sister of Himeyuki. Himeka" Umino announced to the spectators.
The crowd cheered and congratulated her. Shizuma waved to the them before following Umino.
"They grow up so fast, don't they?" Nika said to Aki as they watched Shizuma walk off with Umino on their way to visit various tea houses to inform the proprietresses about her debut.
"Himeka- san! Himeka-san!"
Shizuma turned around to see a little girl, standing behind her, holding out a red chrysanthemum.
"Is that for me?" asked Shizuma gazing at the flower the little girl held.
"Hai." The girl said, nervously.
"Arigato." Smiled Shizuma, making the little girl blush.
"She just debuted, and she already has a fan." Umino joked.
they visited various tea houses in town where Shizuma informed the proprietresses about her debut.
-X-X-X-X
Miyuki helped Shizuma loosen her kimono sash.
"Congratulations on your debut." Miyuki smiled.
"Arigato." Shizuma replied, while putting on her yukata and heading to the backyard, where she sat alone by the koi pond looking at the fish as they jump out in and out of the water. She heard a strange sound but couldn't tell where it came from.
"Hic. Congratulations." Said Nika, taking the young girl by surprise.
"Nika-neesan?"
"Don't tell anyone that I'm drunk. Your big sister just wanted to have some fun and celebrate her younger sister's misedashi." She said, spinning around almost slipping into to the pond.
"Nika-neesan be careful." Shizuma warned.
Nika began to laugh, but soon her laugher turned into crying.
"Nika Oneesan what's wrong?"
She's gone crazy. Shizuma thought to herself but didn't dare say out loud.
"Shizu-chan, have you ever been in love?"
Nika said, while taking a seat next to Shizuma and then taking a sip of sake
"No, I haven't neesan." Replied Shizuma.
"Don't ever fall in love, because people will always hurt you." Nika said, before drinking the rest of her sake.
"Ah! That's good sake. Hic"
"You should get to bed neesan." Shizuma urged.
"You're right I should get some sleep. Would you like some sake?"
"No thanks."
"Are you sure? I won't tell." Said Nika, with a mischievous grin.
"Oh no" the young said, shaking her head profusely.
"it's a good thing you said no, because I drank it all." She giggled, while shaking the empty bottle.
-X-X-X-X
Nika took her futon out of the closet, in the bedroom, that Aya and her shared. Then she proceeded to take it out of the room.
"Nika, where are you going?" inquired Aya.
"Hic… I'm moving out, you won't have to deal with me anymore. Since I'm such a nuisance." Nika said angrily.
"I may hate your constant drinking, but I don't want you to leave. We've been sharing this room since we were children." Aya pleaded.
"I'm going to sleep in another room, you've finally got your wish."
"Nika, I didn't mean it like that."
"I'll be back for the rest of my things in the morning. Hic"
"Nika, you've had too much to drink, you're not thinking clearly." Aya said, while gently touching Nika on the shoulder.
"Don't touch me! I maybe a drunk, but I know what love is and at least I'm not a heartless person like you." She said storming out of the room.
*Geisha info*
Minarai is stage before a Shikomi becomes a maiko, that lasts a month, the word minarai means learning by watching. Minarai wear obis or sashes that are half the length of a maiko. They are not allowed to preform since this is their learning stage, the tea house proprietress teaches the minarai things she didn't learn in school such as: playing party game, and how to chat and flirt with clients.
Sansankudo is a ceremony in which the maiko to be, and her mentor officially becomes sisters, it's very similar to how Japanese weddings take place. Sashigami are rectangular paper handouts with the names of the maiko to be and her Oneesan they are distributed though the okiyas and teahouses and other restaurants of the hanamachi to send greetings as well as inform people of the maiko to be debut.
The Takamakura means high pillow, the term bachimakura meaning "punishment pillow" is sometimes used interchangeably with Takamakura too. Takamakura were also used by samurais to keep their top knots neat. Takamakura are filled with buckwheat .
Geisha also, preformed for courtesans and their clients, sometimes a geisha and maiko will be hired to perform in brothels, while the courtesans got ready, so the clients wouldn't get bored waiting. Sometimes they would preform for the courtesans and their clients. geishas and maikos weren't allowed to interact with the courtesan's clients.
In the early years courtesans use to preform and play music, but they thought this was beneath them, so geishas were hired to do the performances, the courtesans even saw the shamisen as a lowly item. Some viewed themselves as nobles, and considered the geishas to below them.
Geisha measured the time and their pay by burning incense for example
1 incense would = 1 hour or sometimes = half an hour. The tea house would bill the clients at the end of the month.
Geisha and maiko never used perfume instead they would put incense packs into their kimonos. Maiko and Geishas had the crest of the okiya they belonged to printed on their obi.
I forgot to mention this in the story ,after the hair is styled the hairstylist would put wax on their hair a shiny look and extra hold.
Okobo are simple elevated scandals that consist of a block of wood from a willow tree with straps on the top. They are constructed much like a zori or flip-flop scandal ,but with a much higher base . The base is often unfinished wood or a black lacquered finish(are worn in the summer) . Okobo is an uncommon shoe . They are primarily associated with maiko. The shoes helps the maiko to keep their long kimono and obi from dragging on the ground. The straps of a maiko's okobo indicate he status. New maiko wear red straps, while maikos who are almost completed with their apprenticeship wear yellow ones. A bell is placed inside of the hollow part on the bottom, so that it chimes out whenever the maiko moves. When a maiko graduates to become a geisha she can wear more comfortable geta or zori .
Please review and let me know what you guys think of the story so far.
I would like to thank Fran Kaioh-Tenoh and a friend of mine for helping me edit this .