Kanzashi of December is not flower or leaves.. but 'Maneki'. It is name boards of actors who will perform at the 'Kaomise' performance. In December,there is 'Kaomise Souken' will be held at the beginning of the month. Then Kabuki stage,'Kichirei Kaomise Kougyo', will be holding for a month. Regards 'Maneki', Kabuki actor's name are written by writing brush . At the 'Kaomise Souken'day, Maiko go to Kabuki actors or actress Dressing room and then ask them to write their name on the 'Maneki'. Black ink is men's name and Red ink is women's. Also there will be 'Koto Hajime' at middle of December.It is the event of preparing for New years. In Japan, December has another name 'Shiwasu' it means 'teachers or priests are running around'(usually teachers or priests don't run even if they are busy but in december they run around the town busily). So we are as busy as a bee in December.Geiko and Maiko are also running around in Hanamachi in this month! And .. after 'shiwasu', there will be long holiday that they are looking forward to! Please hold on. Thank you,

beginning of the month　　　　　 Lightup/ Special admissions  everywhere in Kyotocity ～26th（Fri）　　 Kichirei Kaomise Kougyou　　　          Kyoto/ Shijyou Minamiza 1st（Mon）　　　  Kenchasai　(tea-offering festival)           Kitano tenmangu 7th（Sun）～8th（Mon）  Jyoudoe houyou  Daikondaki   at Senbon syakadou  (Daihouon temple) 8th（Mon）　　　　 harikuyo (needle Memorial service)  at Horin temple　　　　　              12th（Fri）～21st（Sun） Kyoto Arashiyama Hanatouro 2014 aroud Saga Arashiyama 13th(Sat）　　    Kotohajime 　　　　　             at each Hanmachi 13th（Sat）～14th（Sun）Kyo Ryouri tenji kai(Kyoto receip Exhibition tournament) at Miyako messe(Kyotoshi kangyokan) 13th～end of the month　　 　 Awarding of Oohukuume (plum)　　　　        at Kitano Tenmangu 20th（Sat）        Susuharai                 at  Nishi hongan temple Higashi honngan temple 21st（Sun）        Shimai kobo　　　           at Touzi temple     23rd (Tue)        Pumpkin memorial service     at Yata temple              　 25th（Thu）        Shimai tenjin　　             at Kitanotenmangu     31st（Wed）　      Okera mairi 　　              At Yasaka shrine   　　　　　　　   Jyoyano Kane　               　 at Chion in

Hello this is Myako. You would see many end-year events in December! ●Kenchasai(tea-offering festival) The tea offering-festival is celebrated in front of Shinto in honor of  'Kitano Daichanoyu party'which were held by Hideyoshi Toyotomi at 15year of Tensho Era. Praying for development of Tea ceremony and offer tea to Michizaneko Sugawara. There are seats not only in Kitano tenjin but also in Kaburenjo, all Geiko and Maiko from Kamishichiken are coming to this festival to serve. Place: Kitano tenmangu Date and time: 1st(Mon) 9am-3pm (ceremony starts at 10am-) Inquiry: 075-461-0005　（Kitano tenmangu shamusho） ●Kotohajime There is the tradition from old days in Hanamachi.'Kotohajime' which is to go visiting people around to thank this year and let them know to start preparing for New year. At Gion koubu, teachers receive kagamimochi(round rice cake )and they display them at the day, then teachers give 'dancing fun' to Maiko who came to thank to their place. Place: each Hanamchi date and time: 13rd(Satu) 10am~ ●#109 Kyo Ryori tenji kai(Kyoto receip Exhibition tournament) 'Kyo Ryori tenji kai(Kyot receip Exhibition tournament)'was started at year of 1886 by Kyoto Ryori association and it is 109th in this year. There are Exhibition, kyo vegetable shops and bento(lunch box) from famous Japanese-style restaurant. And Maiko have dance performance as one of  kyoto traditions. Place　:Miyako Messe (kyoto shi kangyokan) date and time: 13rd (Sat)-14t(Sun)                10am-4pm Charge: advance 600yen  The day 800yen Inquiry 075-221-5833 Kyoto ryori  association jimukyoku