Hanami Geiko Hikizuri

This is the kimono of full-fledged geiko; her collar (eri) is now fully white, in contrast to the red-based collar of the maiko. The obi hangs lower on the hips than when wearing a regular kimono, and the kimono (hikizuri) has a much more sophisticated design than that of a maiko's kimono. This hikizuri has a beautiful design of falling ume (plum) blossoms on a matching background. The vintage obi is made of valuable chirimen (crepe) silk, and lined with black shusu silk. Elegant cherry blossom motif is dyed, and in two parts, embroidery is added. With both ume and sakura in this outfit, is makes it a valuable addition to any geiko's spring wardrobe.

"Hikizuri" or "susohiki" means that the kimono has a longer length than a usual one and is worn by geisha and maiko, apprentice geisha. What is more iconic than the geisha in her hikizuri? The hem of a hikizuri, or tailing kimono, would drape on the floor and swirl gracefully as the geiko or maiko stands, and of course, as she dances.

The susohiki is mostly worn by geisha or by stage performers of the traditional Japanese dance. It is quite long, compared to regular kimono, because the skirt is supposed to trail along the floor. Susohiki literally means "trail the skirt". Where a normal kimono for women is normally 1.5–1.6 m (4.7–5.2 ft) long, a susohiki can be up to 2 m (6.3 ft) long. This is also why geisha and maiko lift their kimono skirt when walking outside, also to show their beautiful underkimono or "nagajuban".