Now I’m writing my first blog of the new year. Why? Because I had a bad cold. This might be as a result of my last visit to Kyoto. It was a terribly cold afternoon, and after getting off the train, I walked through the “Gion” district, which is world famous for Geisha (we call “Geiko” in Kyoto) tea houses.
I didn’t bring a folding umbrella on that day, which was a big mistake for a Japanese person, but I didn’t care at all about my old stone-washed jeans getting wet. However, things are the other way around for a “Geiko” wearing a truly gorgeous Kimono, each piece of which costs the equivalent of one house. Even for such an “emergency,” noble “Geiko” never forget about their business, always keeping elegant manners. They use a special umbrella made of oiled papers, and they can manipulate it even detecting the direction of the wind. After coming across this rare chance, my five-day fever of 38 degrees started, but it was worth running the risk.
With apologies for this big delay but with the highly auspicious combination of red and blue umbrella of the Geiko in her blackish Kimono especially worn on new year's day, I wish all of our customers around the globe a Happy New Year!