I came to second life in hopes to future a child hood dream of mine. Knowing nothing of this new world I rezzed into, I searched for an Okiya who would take me in and train me as a second life Geiko san. Sadly, I was rejected by all, except one....The Nakanoshima Okiya in Hosoi Mura.
I created many fond memories working as a shikomi there. Even running under its streets in a series of secret tunnels with fellow sisters. Over the course of a year, I studied hard and devoted myself to my virtual home.
Unfortunely, due to drama and gossip caused by other Okiya...this lead to the closing of Nakanoshima forever and I will tell you this, Second Life is poorer for it.
Luckly, before we closed our doors....I did run into a wonderful woman named Ueta Akahana san. She was wandering all the different streets of Second Life's Karyuukai, looking to build community and friendships with more established Okiya. She came to second life to open her own okiya...at the time called Hitsuhana Okiya. She was so nice and so refreshing, I offered her to stay in my linden home...since honestly I wasn't using it at the time. She was so honorable, that she insisted to pay me rent. In fear to insult her good nature...I couldn't refuse.
Ueta san visited Hosoi a lot after that. Trying to continue to build good relations with other Okiya. Nakanoshima was, from what she told me, the only okiya willing to become friends. I introduced her to my Okaasan at the time, Toshiha Magic...in hopes to help my new friend reach her passionate goal. They quickly became friends, from what I gathered...so soon there were talks of trying to get Hitsuhana Okiya on Hosoi.
This never came to be.
So instead, Toshiha okaasan offered Ueta san a little spot on Teddy, to have a tea house. By now, Hitsuhana Okiya was now officially opened and renamed to Mitsuhana. Mitsuhana Okiya was located on a very large skybox. There was only the okiya house, a garden, modest tea house for lessons only, and a few shops. Which of course, I moved Plum Tree dance too :D out of invitation.
This was part of Nakanoshima's end.
Another Okiya, located on Hosoi...I'm sure you know which one...Started telling lies about Ueta san. I was given records of many conversations by trusted friends, who were coming to me...knowing my friendship with Ueta san, to find out if they were true. These lies included harsh things like.....Ueta san was here to ruin the other okiya....she was in fact Toshiha Magic using an Alt...and the most dishonorable one of all....that Ueta san was a *beep* in nature.
I was shocked....Ueta san is the nicest person and truly wants the Second Life Karyuukai...as a whole.....all of us....to work together and enjoy our passions for all. Ueta san almost closed Mitsuhana okiya over all of this. She was very upset, having all these people say things and try to undermine her in such ways...when they didn't even know her. She just wanted to make friends in this new world. And this is how everyone greeted her. After Nakanoshima closed...I do know, Ueta san contacted the owners of many sims and defended herself. She told me personally, over the Toshiha magic thing.....she had a few people check her IP address as proof.
and yet.......the rumors still continue....and we are still victims of these senseless "I'm better then Thou" personalities running through out Second Life's Karyuukai.
I was happy to be excepted into Mitsuhana Okiya...after all that I have seen and done, Mitsuhana Okiya will be the only home for me. I know too much from other okiya, and I honestly could never be apart of them. I am proud to be a Jr. Maiko here, and I hope I can only repay Gion Higashi for such kindness it has shown me. And even though, Ueta Okaasan is still faced with the venom still being spit out at her from those not part of Gion Higashi....she is still hosting a public geisha school......opened to everyone. She strictly said, no one okiya will take claim to this building. It is here for us all. Okaasan has even opened our Yasaka Hall *kabuki theater* to what others would call, outsiders.
I dont' know if I could be as open and kind as Okaasan, in all that she has to deal with trying to make the Karyuukai a friendly place. I admire her...and hope to honor her okiya in every way I can...and in my own small way, help her bring her vision/dream alive.
***pet peeve of the day***
Second Life's Karyuukai term as it truly is
I wish to extend my opinion on this for a moment. Second Life Geiko san and Okiya alike....use this term to only talk about their sim and sim only. I'm sorry to have to inform you....your sim is a hanamachi only....not the Karyuukai. All the sims.....all the okiya....combined is the Karyuukai. Its the Flower and Willow world, floating upon a dream...and if you were to sigh too hard...it will be gone forever.
Just something to think about
