Kyofuu Shimada hairstyle

A new and improved version of this product has been released. Please get the new Kyoufuu Shimada here.

The Kyoufuu Shimada, though it looks similar to the Chu Shimada which is worn by geisha of all ranks, is only worn by geiko and not maiko. It is worn by those who act as otemae (tencha) during the Miyako/ Kyo/Kamogawa Odori (and with it, a formal hikizuri with a flipped collar), but also during other tea ceremonies like Iyemon no chakai.

Before and around WW2, geisha used to wear their own hair all the time in the Kyoufuu Shimada hairstyle, but after the war it fell into decline and its use became limited to occassions like the annual Odori.

Matching kanzashi can be found here.