Naokazu is a young maiko in her second year of training in the Kamishichiken district. Katsuryu, behind her, debuted only last month (Feb. 2007)

Baikaisai, or the Plum Blossom Festival, is held at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine in Kyoto every February to honor the memory of the deified patron saint of literature, Sugawara Michizane, celebrating the end of winter and the coming spring. An outdoor tea ceremony is held by the maiko and geiko of the Kamishichiken district as visitors stoll through the thousands of plum trees, indulge in delicious festival foods and search for hidden treasure at the monthly temple flea market.