Sensu Maiko Formal Hikizuri

This is the kimono of a senior maiko, which is called hikizuri or susohiki. A kimono like this, with a black background, seven mon and combined with a golden-based obi, is only worn during the most formal events, like hassaku and shigeyoshiki. The design of this kimono has only been put on the sleeves and the bottom of the kimono, which - together with the white-embroided collar - signals this kimono is worn by maiko who have already had their mizuage.

This hikizuri has a design of fans on it, swirling together in an explosion of colour. The obi has an impressive flower pattern, which is woven elaborately on the brocade jinken (rayon) fabric.

"Hikizuri" 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".