Yukaku Ryukin Renovation

In our quest to find the balance between an intimate and a cramped entertainment area, the Yukaku Ryukin has been renovated. We are in the same building and enjoying our view of the sea off the coast of Aosagi. A few walls have been knocked down and the layout rearranged so that visitors can enjoy the feel of a cozy ozashiki space without having to crawl over the tables to get to a cushion.

Last week we opened the yukaku for informal entertainment and showed off the new design. The newest furisode, Tsuyu-chan, hosted for the first time and though she was a little nervous, she handled herself well. She was even able to convince one of our long time patrons to come up on stage and show off his dance moves. He looks so elegant in that obi, ne?

We had some extra wood and sand available, and decided to add a zen garden to the land between the yukaku and the nearby waterfall. Whenever we are able to, we hold lessons outside to enjoy the tranquility of this space. Perhaps we will hold a performance or two there in the future.

We hope the next time you visit Aosagi, you will stop by to see the new yukaku and take a moment to enjoy the serenity of our zen garden. 

Furisode Debut: Tsuyu-chan

About a week or two ago, Tsuyu-chan had her formal debut as a furisode shinzo of Shinmachi! As with Umeko-chan's debut before her, there were a few geisha on hand to entertain while Tsuyu-chan and I prepared for her big moment. My computer and the region of Aosagi were not getting along well that day, so I was unable to take pictures. However, James-sama was able to take these amazing pictures which far exceeded anything I could have taken! 

After we walked along the path surrounding the Yukaku Ryukin, we arrived at the performance venue. In the background you can see the dance platform: a floating island in the middle of the Yukaku Ryukin's lake.

Plum Rain danced to a series of poems concerning the beauty which flows from a summer rain on top of the floating island. Weather can be so unpredictable and it actually rained a few times during the performance! We're tough though and continued on; our patrons were nice and dry as they had umbrellas as gifts from Tsuyu-chan and Umeko-chan. 

The performance ended just at sunset. It was a beautiful day and I want to send out a huge thanks to James-sama for taking such amazing pictures.