page_title: Kanzashi
section_title: Seasonal tsumami kanzashi motifs
hierarchical_section_title: Kanzashi / Tsumami kanzashi / Seasonal tsumami kanzashi motifs
caption_attribution_description: Maiko Headdresses
context_page_description: Kanzashi are hair ornaments used in traditional Japanese hairstyles. The term "kanzashi" refers to a wide variety of accessories, including long, rigid hairpins, barrettes, fabric flowers and fabric hair ties.
  In the English-speaking world, the term "kanzashi" is typically used to refer to kanzashi made from layers of folded cloth used to form flowers, or the technique of folding used to make the flowers.
context_section_description: Hana kanzashi are highly seasonal, though typically the only people in Japan who follow the seasons closely enough to register seasonal changes are geisha and their apprentices. Since maiko wear more elaborate kanzashi than their senior geisha, seasonal changes are even more important for them.
  January – The design of January kanzashi usually has an auspicious New Years' theme. Shōchikubai is a popular choice - a combination of pine ('shō'), bamboo ('chiku') and plum blossoms ('bai') in green, red and white. Other popular motifs are sparrows ('suzume'), spinning tops and battledore paddles ('hagoita').
  February – Usually trailing deep pink or red plum blossoms, said to symbolise young love and the approach of spring. Another less common theme is the pinwheel and the flowerball ('kusudama') that is worn for Setsubun.
  March – Trailing yellow and white rapeseed flowers ('nanohana') and butterflies, as well as peach blossoms ('momo'), narcissus ('suisen'), camellia ('tsubaki') and peonies ('botan'). A rare kanzashi featuring dolls that are used to celebrate the Hina Matsuri (Girl's Day Festival) can also be seen during this month.
  April – Trailing soft pink cherry blossoma ('sakura') mixed with butterflies and bonbori lanterns, signaling the approach of summer. Cherry blossom viewing at this time of year is a major cultural event in Japan. Kanzashi consisting of a single silver (or sometimes gold) butterfly ('cho') made of mizuhiki cord are common.
  May – Trailing purple wisteria ('fuji') and flag irises ('ayame'), usually in blue or pink. Irises denote the height of spring while wisteria is a flower often associated with the Imperial Court (wisteria viewing parties have been celebrated by Japanese nobles since the Heian Period).
  June – Trailing green willow ('yanagi') leaves with carnations/pinks ('nadeshiko'), or less commonly hydrangea ('ajisai') flowers. This month is the rainy season in Japan, and therefore willow (a water-loving tree) and blue hydrangeas are appropriate.
  July – Kanzashi featuring a display of fans (usually round uchiwa fans, but occasionally folding sensu fans) are featured. The fans refer to the Gion Festival which takes place at this time. The motifs featured on a maiko's fan kanzashi vary each year, in line with the festival. There are common themes such as dragonflies and lines denoting swirling water. Other kanzashi worn during July are fireworks kanzashi and dewdrops on grass ('tsuyushiba').
  August – Large morning glory ('asagao') or susuki grass. The susuki grass appears as a starburst of spines made of silvered paper. Senior maiko wear white-backed silver petals and junior maiko wear pink-backed silver petals.
  September – Japanese bellflower ('kikyō'). The purple tones are traditionally associated with autumn. Often these will be mixed with bush clover.
  October – Chrysanthemum ('kiku'). These are well loved in Japan and are a symbol of the Imperial Family. Senior maiko will wear one large flower while junior maiko will wear a cluster of small flowers. Typical colors include pink, white, red, yellow, and purple.
  November – Trailing autumnal leaves that are usually composed of the very popular Japanese maple. Maple viewing is the autumnal equivalent of cherry blossom viewing in Japan. Ginkgo and liquidambar leaves are also seen.
  December – The Japanese make mochi at this time of year, and often decorate trees with them to represent white flowers. It is thought to be good luck to wear kanzashi featuring mochibana, or rice-cake flowers. December kanzashi also feature two maneki, name plates used by kabuki actors, which are initially blank. Traditionally, maiko visit the Minamiza Theatre and ask two of their favorite kabuki actors to autograph them with their kabuki nom de plume. Kanzashi for senior maiko feature green bamboo leaves while junior maiko have a colorful assortment of lucky charms.
  New Year – At this time of year all maiko and geisha wear un-husked ears of rice in their hairstyles (maiko wear it on the right while geisha wear it on the left). These kanzashi also feature eyeless white dov
caption: A display showing the seasonal hana kanzashi worn by maiko, from January to the New Year
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