Friday, February 28, 2014

Upcoming Tayuu Debut

We of Shinmachi are proud to announce that in the coming weeks, 
a new tayuu will be making her debut.


This evening 
on Heavenly Kagu Mountain, 
the mist is trailing. 
It seems that spring has arrived. 
- Kakinomoto Hitomaro

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Lunar New Year

Just over a week ago, we held our first ozashiki (informal entertainment) in the expansive ochaya (tea house) of Sengoku. It was truly a fascinating experience, unlike many I have had in Second Life.


Tomesode shinzo Tsuyu-chan hosted the ozashiki, and I am sure you can tell by the picture above that it was truly out of the ordinary. In celebration of the Chinese New Year, the teahouse was decorated with new rugs, crimson cushions and several red lanterns (can you see the ball, year of the horse lanterns hanging above the doorway in the background?). Tsuyu-chan and I had Chinese dresses specially delivered for the event, though I soon realized it was far more difficult to dance in the qipao than in kimono. The ribbons threaded throughout my hair made for a fascinating style, but I found myself missing the weight of my kanzashi.

As for the event itself, the flow of people in and out of the teahouse that evening was amazing. I had a chance to meet so many of Sengoku's citizens, and was too lost in the conversation to take more than one picture (at one point, we nearly ran out of cushions!). The topics ranged from New Year's resolutions, to poems, to riddles and concluded with speaking about Tsuyu-chan's annual New Year's tale. We had so much fun, and we're looking forward to holding another event in the Sengoku ochaya!