On December 13, 2025, "Kotohajime," a ceremony marking the beginning of preparations for the New Year in the entertainment districts and traditional families of Kyoto, took place in Kyoto City. In Gionmachi, kimono-clad geisha and maiko visited their masters and teahouses, offering their best wishes for the New Year.
From around 10:00 AM, geisha and maiko from the Gion Kobu school of traditional Kyoto dance, Yachiyo Inoue (69 years old), a Living National Treasure and head of the Inoue-ryu school of Kyomai in Kyoto's Higashiyama Ward, began pouring in. Yachiyo encouraged each student to "take care of yourself" and "do your best," handing them their dance fans and encouraging them to work even harder.
A red-covered stage was decorated with rows of kagami mochi rice cakes delivered by her students, creating an early New Year atmosphere.
