Misedashi

Misedashi (店だし, making business public) in Japan is a ceremony where a shikomi (an aspiring geiko ) becomes a maiko (an apprentice geiko) and officially begins their career. After the ceremony is over the maiko will be guided through the streets by an otokoshi-san (male dresser) to their teachers and other okiya to thank them for their support and let them know they have debuted. The maiko is usually 15 years when the ceremony takes place.

Attire

Because the debut is considered one of the most important moments of a geisha career, only the most formal attire is worn.

Wareshinobu

(割れしのぶ): Wareshinobu is a nihongami hairstyle for junior maiko. A mage (bun) is made by inserting two red kanako (padded silk) and is then decorated with a kanokodome in the center of the mage. For misedashi they will wear formal kanzashi (traditional hair ornaments) made out of tortoise shell, silver and red miokuri and two bira bira.

Oshiroi

(白粉): Oshiroi is the makeup worn by geisha and is usually applied by the wearer, but because of the importance of the misedashi ceremony, a professional will do it.

Kuromontsuki Hikizuri

(黒紋付引きずり): Kuromontsuki Hikizuri is a formal black trailing kimono that has five okiya Mon embroidered on it. Hikizuri are usually 200 cm long, with a padded hem to create weight so it will trail beautifully on the floor. When outside a maiko will hold her hikizuri up with her hands, or tie it in place so that it does not touch the ground.

Darari obi

(だらり帯): The darari obi is a 6-7 meters long obi worn exclusively by maiko. At the end of the darari obi is a crest, so that every one can see which okiya the maiko belongs to. For formal occasions the maiko will wear a gold obi.

References

• Liza Dalby (2000). Geisha. Vintage. ISBN 978-0099428992.,