Hagifuu's Furisode Debut

Last day as a kamuro

Over the weekend, we celebrated the furisode shinzo debut of Hagifuu in the amazing Nekkido theater of Keisei. From this day forward, she is a full fledged courtesan and will continue to hone her arts until she reaches the highest level of tayuu (or oiran, depending on her preference).

While I have provided her with formal lessons, her older sister, Tsuyu, has offered her the regular training necessary to be a successful shinzo. In keeping with tradition, the two of us chose a name for the new furisode which matched her personality and like most of the names of our group, was based on nature. Tsuyu had the honor of announcing the new shinzo's name and she began with a poem:

Tsuyu (left) and Hagifuu (right)

Flowers blossoming
in autumn fields - 
when I count them on my fingers
they then number seven

The flowers of which are bush clover (hagi), miscanthus (obana, Miscanthus sinensis), kudzu, large pink (nadeshiko, Dianthus superbus)

 Yellow flowered valerian (ominaeshi, Patrinia scabiosaefolia), boneset (fujibakama, Eupatorium fortunei), and Chinese bellflower (kikyō).

Thus, I have chosen the name Hagifuu. Her name ties both one of the seven flowers of autumn, and the element most fitting to her charming nature... wind or fuu. When I think of wind I think of free movement,  growth, expansion,  joyful motion,  wisdom and love,  open mindedness, compassion and benevolence.

And thus, we will think of our little 'Fu-chan as a joyful, open minded and compassionate autumn flower, whom will continue to bloom into an amazing courtesan.

Hagifuu - Furisode Shinzo