/jp/ - Otaku Culture

This photo is of obidome (called pocchiri in Gion). Maiko wear very large and elaborate pocchiri that’s usually worth around $5K+ (some can be worth more if they are heirlooms) and is worn throughout her apprenticeship. They are accessories used in casual wear only and are not worn during special occasions.

Obidome are brooches worn on obijime, which is a woven silk rope used to hold the obi in place. An obi is the sash worn with kimono. Geiko and maiko wear maru obi, which is the most formal kind. Underneath their obi is obiage, which is sometimes called the “obi scarf”, and it helps keep the obi fixed in place. They also wear obi-ita, or obi board, that is used to stiffen the front of the obi and give the tube-like shape that was so desirable in the Edo period.

Unlike the long, darari-styled obi maiko wear, geiko need the obijime to hold their taiko-styled obi in place. Because they dress in a more mature/subdued way, they don’t use obidome/pocchiri.

Geisha wear many layers of silk (among other things) and therefore her garb must be put on very securely lest it slide.

A maiko is wearing at all times about $45K worth of clothing.