If you like, please repeat it out loud in Japanese.
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2025年12月15日。
December 15, 2025.
今日は、京都・祇園花街で行われる静かで美しい伝統行事「事始め」についてご紹介します。
Today, I’d like to introduce you to Kotohajime, a quiet and beautiful traditional event held in Kyoto’s Gion Hanamachi district.
実は、新年がもう始まっているかのような、静かで美しい伝統行事なのです。
It’s a quiet and beautiful traditional event that makes you feel as if the new year has already begun.
13日から15日にかけて、祇園花街の芸妓さんや舞妓さんが、それぞれのお座敷やお茶屋を参拝するために巡回します。
From the 13th to the 15th, geisha and maiko from the Gion Hanamachi district travel around to each of their Teahouses and Tatami-rooms to pay their respects.
この「事始め」は、新年に向けて心と芸を整える大切な節目です。
Kotohajime is an important milestone for preparing their minds and arts for the new year.
「今年も頑張ろう」という決意を伝える、日本ならではの文化です。
It’s a uniquely Japanese culture that conveys the determination to “do our best this year.”
派手な祭りではありませんが、冬の祇園に厳かな雰囲気を添え、花街の一年が静かに始まるのです。
While not a flashy festival, it adds a solemn atmosphere to winter Gion and marks the quiet start of the year in the Hanamachi district.
観光旅行ではなかなか見ることが出来ない、京都の奥深さが感じられる瞬間です。
It’s a moment when you can experience the depth of Kyoto, something you rarely get to see on a sightseeing trip.
ちなみに、今が旬の野菜は大根です。
By the way, the vegetable that’s in season right now is daikon radish.
体を温めるので朝食にぴったりです。
It warms the body, making it perfect for breakfast.
朝食ありがとう。
Thank you for breakfast.
応援と評価、宜しくお願い致します。
Thank you for your support and ratings.
🌸 Kotohajime: Kyoto’s Hanamachi Tradition and New Year’s Preparations
“Kotohajime” (which literally means “beginning of things”) is generally considered the day when preparations for the New Year officially start. Traditionally, this was observed on December 8th. However, in Kyoto’s Hanamachi (the geisha districts), the custom is to celebrate it mainly on December 13th, as mentioned in the article.
📅 Key Information on Kotohajime
| Item | Details |
| Date | December 13th (Customary in Kyoto’s Hanamachi) |
| Location | The Five Hanamachi districts, including Gion Kōbu, Gion Higashi, Pontocho, Miyagawacho, and Kamishichiken. |
| Purpose | To begin New Year’s preparations, express gratitude and give greetings to mentors and Ochaya (teahouses), and vow to improve their artistic skills in the new year. |
| Main Activity | O-negai Mōshi (Greeting Rounds): Geiko (geisha) and Maiko (apprentice geisha) visit the homes of their dancing and music instructors, as well as the teahouses they work with, to pay their respects. |
| Good Luck Charms | Kagami Mochi (round rice cakes) and Mochibana (small rice cakes attached to willow branches), which are traditional New Year decorations, are presented. |
🎁 The Meaning of Kagami Mochi and Mochibana
The lucky charms that Geiko and Maiko receive from their teachers and teahouses carry special significance:
- Kagami Mochi (Round Rice Cakes):
- Presented from the master to the disciple, it expresses gratitude for their dedication during the past year and encouragement for the coming year.
- Mochibana (Rice Cake Flowers):
- This decoration features small, rounded red and white rice cakes placed on willow branches. It originated in snowy or mountainous regions with few winter flowers, symbolizing a prayer for a bountiful rice harvest.
- In the Hanamachi, the Mochibana is displayed until Keiko Hajime (the first practice of the New Year), as a charm to promote artistic progress and bring good fortune.
🗣️ Traditional Greetings
The formal greetings exchanged on the day of Kotohajime are part of the event’s quiet beauty.
- From Disciple to Master/Ochaya:
- “Omedetou-san dosu (Happy New Year). Ai kawarimasezu, yoroshū ota-no mōshimasu (Please continue to look after me in the same manner next year).”
- From Master/Ochaya to Disciple:
- “Okibari-yasu (Please do your best/Keep working hard).”
- “Yoroshū ota-no mōshimasu (I will be happy to).”
- (While handing over the Kagami Mochi): “Dōzo, o-mochi meshiagatte, o-keiko okibari-yassha (Please enjoy the rice cakes and work hard on your practice).”
👘 Kotohajime Today
As mentioned, the sight of Geiko and Maiko, dressed in beautiful kimonos, making their rounds to masters’ homes and teahouses across Kyoto from the 13th to the 15th, is a signature feature of Kyoto’s December.
Even in areas frequently visited by tourists, the atmosphere during this time is solemn and respectful. For the people of the Hanamachi, this tradition marks one of the most important milestones of the year, renewing their commitment to honoring their artistic disciplines.
❄️ Kyoto’s Winter Traditions and Hanamachi Customs
Following Kotohajime, the Hanamachi and the wider city of Kyoto engage in a series of quiet, traditional events leading up to the New Year.
👘Hanamachi’s “Koto Osame” (The Closing of Things)
While Kotohajime begins the preparations, the Hanamachi also observes “Koto Osame” to conclude the year’s artistic pursuits.
- Estimated Date: Mid-to-late December, held in each Hanamachi, teahouse, or Okiya (geisha house).
- Content:
- The last art lesson of the year is held.
- Quiet gatherings or banquets are sometimes held at the Ochaya or Okiya to thank the Geiko and Maiko for their hard work throughout the year.
- It serves as an important point for physical and mental rest during the New Year’s period before the next Kotohajime.
🎭Keiko Hajime (First Practice) and New Year’s Greetings
After preparing for the New Year, Geiko and Maiko return to their training immediately after the New Year begins.
- Keiko Hajime (First Practice):
- Generally takes place on January 4th.
- Geiko and Maiko visit their masters’ homes for the first practice session of the new year. There is a custom of breaking the Kagami Mochi received during Kotohajime (cutting is considered bad luck) and eating it in ozōni (soup) or zenzai (sweet bean soup) as a group.
- Shinnen no O-mimai (New Year’s Call):
- Similar to Kotohajime, Geiko and Maiko make rounds to the Ochaya, masters, and associates to offer New Year’s greetings.
- The formal greetings, “Omedetou-san dosu” and “Kotoshi mo yoroshū ota-no mōshimasu” (Happy New Year, please look after me this year as well) mark the official beginning of the new year.
🔥Gion’s Year-End Tradition
Though not a Hanamachi-specific event, an important Kyoto tradition takes place near Gion.
- Yasaka Shrine’s Okera Mairi (Okera Pilgrimage):
- Date: New Year’s Eve (December 31st) into the early morning of January 1st.
- Content: Visitors take fire, called Okera-bi, from the sacred flame burning at Yasaka Shrine and transfer it to a special rope, which they then carry home. This fire is used to light the household shrine or as the first fire to cook the New Year’s ozōni.
- It is believed that cooking with this fire ensures a year of good health. The sight of people carrying the burning ropes through Gion on a cold winter night is a quiet, sacred New Year’s Eve sight in Kyoto.
🌸 Characteristics of Kyoto’s Five Hanamachi Districts
Kyoto currently has five existing Hanamachi districts, each with its own history and distinct atmosphere:
| Hanamachi Name | Location (Approx.) | Features and History |
| Gion Kōbu | Higashiyama Ward (South of Shijō St., around Yasaka Shrine) | The largest of the Five Hanamachi, known for its long history and high prestige. It is the home of the Kyōmai (Kyoto Dance) Inoue School, and the annual “Miyako Odori” in spring is famous. Located in the area most visited by tourists. |
| Gion Higashi | Higashiyama Ward (North of Gion Kōbu, near Shinbashi St. and Shirakawa River) | A smaller district that separated from Gion Kōbu. It has a calm atmosphere and hosts the “Gion Odori” in the spring. It is adjacent to the atmospheric scenery of the Shirakawa River. |
| Pontocho | Nakagyō Ward (Between the Kamo River and Kiyamachi St.) | Located on a long, narrow street along the Kamo River, known for its characteristic narrow alleyways. It tends to have a younger population of Geiko/Maiko and a fashionable vibe. Hosts the “Kamogawa Odori” every spring. |
| Kamishichiken | Kamigyō Ward (In front of Kitano Tenmangu Shrine’s East Gate) | Considered the oldest Hanamachi. It is said to have originated when seven teahouses were built using leftover wood from the reconstruction of Kitano Tenmangu Shrine after the Ōnin War. It is small and cozy with a relaxed atmosphere. Hosts the “Kitano Odori” in the spring. |
| Miyagawacho | Higashiyama Ward (East bank of the Kamo River, Miyagawa-suji) | Associated with Izumo no Okuni (the founder of Kabuki) and originally flourished as a theater district. It is the most lively of the five and retains a relatively down-to-earth atmosphere. Hosts the “Kyō Odori” in the spring. |
📝 Hanamachi Trivia
- The “Odori” (Dance Performances):
Each Hanamachi holds its own unique “Odori” (dance performance) every spring to showcase their artistry. This is one of the most crucial annual events for the districts.
- Dance Schools (Ryūha):
Each Hanamachi generally follows a specific school of Kyōmai (Kyoto Dance):
- Gion Kōbu: Inoue School (particularly famous as the head family of Kyōmai)
- Pontocho: Onoue School
- Miyagawacho: Wakayagi School
- Kamishichiken: Hanayagi School
- Gion Higashi: Fujima School
- Terminology:
The general term for the districts where Geiko and Maiko work is Hanamachi. However, in Kyoto, terms like Ochaya (teahouse), Ozashiki (banquet room), and Okiya (geisha house) are more frequently used.
🍵 Kyoto’s Lively Year-End Events and Winter Cuisine
In contrast to the quiet elegance of Kotohajime, common people in Kyoto celebrate the year’s end with bustling markets.
Lively Year-End Markets: Shimai Tenjin and Shimai Kōbō
A. ⛩️ Shimai Tenjin (The Final Tenjin Fair)
- Date: December 25th
- Location: Kitano Tenmangu Shrine (near Kamishichiken)
- Content:
- A large fair is held on the 25th of every month at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, which is dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the god of scholarship. The last fair of the year is called “Shimai Tenjin.”
- The grounds are filled with stalls selling New Year’s decorations, straw ropes (shimenawa), Kagami Mochi, and senryō (lucky money plant), as shoppers prepare for the New Year.
- Geiko and Maiko from Kamishichiken are sometimes seen purchasing decorations here.
B. 📿 Shimai Kōbō (The Final Kōbō Fair)
- Date: December 21st
- Location: Tōji Temple (Kyō-ōgokoku-ji)
- Content:
- The last fair of the year held on the 21st of every month (the death anniversary of Kōbō Daishi, or Kūkai) is called “Shimai Kōbō.”
- The Tōji Temple grounds become Kyoto’s busiest spot, with about 1,000 stalls selling everything from antiques and clothing to food and New Year’s goods.
- It is a chaotic but energetic place where people search for rare finds and stock up for the New Year.
🍲Kyoto’s Winter Cuisine (Kyō-Ryōri)
Though Kyoto is known for its cold winters, this environment yields rich ingredients and a warming food culture.
A. 🍶 Kabura Mushi (Steamed Turnip)
- Feature: A quintessential dish of winter Kyō-Ryōri.
- Content: Grated turnip is gently mixed with meringue and steamed until fluffy, encasing ingredients like Guji (Tilefish), shrimp, and ginkgo nuts. It is served hot with a thick, savory An (sauce) made from dashi stock. The sweetness of the winter turnip and the warm sauce are deeply comforting.
B. 🦀 Crab Cuisine (Kani Ryōri)
- Feature: Although landlocked, Kyoto has excellent access to fresh seafood from the Japan Sea coast.
- Content: Matsuba Gani (Snow Crab) from the San’in region is highly prized in winter. Fine dining establishments offer luxurious crab dishes such as boiled crab, grilled crab, crab sashimi, and crab porridge (kani zōsui).
C. ♨️ Yūdōfu (Boiled Tofu) and Yuba (Tofu Skin)
- Feature: Tofu, made from quality water and soybeans, is a staple in Kyoto, influenced by the city’s many temples and shōjin ryōri (vegetarian cuisine). Warm Yūdōfu is especially welcome in winter.
- Content: Areas like Nanzenji Temple, considered the birthplace of Yūdōfu, offer the dish as a winter specialty. Yuba, the delicate skin formed on boiling soy milk, is also a uniquely refined Kyoto flavor.
