On January 7, 2024, the opening ceremony for the new year was held in Kyoto's four red-light districts: Gion Kobu, Gion Higashi, Pontocho, and Miyagawacho. Geisha and maiko wearing gold brocade belts with black crests and auspicious patterns gathered at various Kaburenjo and other places, and vowed to devote themselves to performing arts.
In Gion Kobu, the opening ceremony was held for the first time in eight years at the Kaburenjo in Higashiyama Ward, which completed seismic renovation last spring. Approximately 110 people in total attended, including 80 geisha and maiko, as well as people associated with teahouses.The geisha and maiko, who were wearing New Year's rice hairpins, greeted each other OmedetouOmedetou Sandos,'' and were treated to sacred sake and kelp.
The ceremony began with a moment of silence for the victims of the Noto Peninsula earthquake. Kyoko Sugiura, president of Yasaka Onnakoba Gakuen, called on geisha and maiko to ''cherish each day and work hard in practice and in the tatami room,'' while Shunichi Tokura, director-general of the Agency for Cultural Affairs, ''really cherish the traditional performing arts that have been passed down from generation to generation.'' "I want you to spread the word to the world," he said in greeting. Yachiyo Inoue, head of the Kyomai Inoue school, celebrated the New Year by dancing the ''Yamatobumi'' song.
There was also a flower-selling encouragement award given to geisha and maiko who had been invited to the tatami room for a long time, and a coming-of-age ceremony for maiko who turned 20. Yuzuha, who was selected as the first prize winner of the award and celebrated at the coming-of-age ceremony, said, ''Since the new coronavirus outbreak (restrictions to prevent the virus) has been lifted, I have had more opportunities to meet customers face-to-face, and I was able to enjoy myself last year. I want to work hard so that I can become an adult as soon as possible.''
The opening ceremony for Kamishichiken will be held on January 9th.
