Overview

• On August 1, Kyoto’s geiko and maiko completed their centuries-old Hassaku gratitude visits to mentors and ochaya in the hanamachi.
• Participants donned black montsuki formal attire, a practice that underscores respect and discipline even in summer.
• Temperatures reached 30 °C by 8 a.m., prompting early hydration breaks with sports drinks offered at each ochaya.
• Yasaka Onna Kōba Gakuen covered the cost of taxi rides to help practitioners navigate the hanamachi in full ceremonial dress.
• Geiko Katsuharu said that wearing the black montsuki only on Hassaku instilled a sense of discipline despite the sweltering conditions.