On August 1, 2023, the summer event "Hassaku", where geisha and maiko in Kyoto express their gratitude to their masters of performing arts and teahouses, was held in Kyoto's entertainment district. In the Gion area of Kyoto's Higashiyama Ward, geisha and maiko dressed in black crests crisscrossed the streets in the harsh summer heat, bowing their heads respectfully at the places they visited.
At a teahouse in Sueyoshi-cho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City, geisha and maiko took turns passing through the entrance and greeting, "Congratulations. Mother, thank you for everything" and "Thank you for your continued support." The proprietress greeted them with a smile, saying, "Thank you for your hard work in this hot weather."
Hassaku refers to the first day of the eighth month in the lunar calendar, and was originally a custom for farmers to pray for a good harvest. In Hanamachi, on August 1st of the new calendar, it is a custom to visit people who have been indebted to them on a daily basis.
