Shika Maiko Hikizuri

This is the kimono of a senior maiko; the white collar and subtle design of the kimono are only wæorn by maiko who have already completed at least 3 to 4 years of their apprenticeships. This purple irotomesode hikizuri is from Taisho period (1912-1925). It has a very unique 'ryozuma' ( mirror image design, which is the feature of kimono from pre WWII) pattern. Deer and stream are dyed near the bottom, and maple leaves and lantern(with bird) are dyed above it.

"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".