Overview
- On December 13, performers in Gion made New Year rounds known as kotohajime, offering greetings of “omedetō-san dosu” to teachers and regular teahouses.
- Geiko and maiko visited the Higashiyama practice hall of Inoue Yachiyo, the fifth head of Kyomai Inoue-ryu and a designated Living National Treasure.
- Kagami mochi brought by the performers were arranged on a hina-dan inside Inoue’s practice hall as part of the ceremony.
- Each visitor greeted Inoue individually and received encouragement for the coming year, including the exhortation to “kibatte,” along with a celebratory dance fan in return.
- With kotohajime completed, the customary greeting shifts to “okōto-san dosu,” signaling that the hanamachi is entering a busy period.