Shigyoshiki 2024 for Kyoto sim [Second Life]

Shigyoshiki is an "opening ceremony" of a new term, such as a school term. In the kagai, where geiko and maiko live and work, these ladies will receive various awards from their work and dedication during the previous year.

 

A very formal ceremony, all geimaiko dress in their most formal outfits: tortoiseshell hair ornaments, black-crested kimono and heavily embroidered gold obi. We are here to welcome in the New Year, and recognize the past year.

 

Every year, our own geimaiko work hard to provide the best in omotenashi--a way of serving our patrons and community that is whole-hearted, genuine, and full of devotion to what we do.

 

The last year, 2023, was perhaps one of the busiest years yet for Kyoto sim. We worked diligently at our regular events in addition to four new events we took part in for the first time, an accomplishment unique to us in getting the SL Kagai out there in the wider world of SL. I hope everyone's heart swells with pride recalling everything they've done in 2023--our members really deserve to feel a sense of joy and pleasure in their hard work! Omedetou san dosu!

 

I say all this humbly, because it truly is an honor to have one's hard work recognized, and you must work hard to receive that recognition--to learn the "gei" of geiko--that is, the Art of being an Artist--and to truly earn that title, for it is not easily given or earned. In our humble Kyoto sim, each girl spends at least four real life years as a maiko, on top of her initial 5-10 month training period as a shikomi, before she can become an SL Kyoto geiko.

 

It is an honor for us to share this beautiful culture, and because of that we are careful to spend a lot of time learning as much as we can about the kagai in real life--and not the stereotypical western fantasy--so that we may do this representation justice.

 

We have an obligation to the hundreds if not thousands of years of arts culture and customs that go into what geimaiko do and all the women who made this culture, and to the women we admire today, still actively working in the real life Kagai. Our duty is to provide an accurate-to-life experience that is informed by knowledge, dedication, and our own love for this floating world.

 

Further, to our patrons, none of this would be possible without your presence. You give us joy and a sense of purpose to keep us going. You are not just patrons to us, but treasured friends. I hope you enjoyed the events of 2023 as much as we loved conducting them.

 

Thank you all so much. Itsumo ookini san dosu!

Done