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| Introduction: |
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Since WWII "Geisha", along with "Mt. Fuji", have long been considered symbols and icons of the Japanese cultureh. Yet, many in Japan are very sensitive how the world of Geisha is portrayed to outsiders. This is in large part due to western culturefs misinterpretation regarding Geisha. This all changed after the popularity of Sony Pictures movie "Memoirs of a Geisha". For the first time, this movie introduced a brand new audience to Geisha by embracing the positive and artistic aspects of their world. The negative image or portrayals of gGeishah has been vanishing as more documentaries emerge depicting Geisha as true artistic warriors. These positive depictions can even be seen through Japanfs tourist destination campaign "Yokoso Japan".
The movie - "Memoirs of a Geisha" has played a great roll to change the image of "Geisha" and capture the interest of ordinary non-Japanese - especially women. The movie has awakened their sympathy and deepened their knowledge of the "Geisha World". This movie however, could not document or even describe authentic and actual lives of "Geisha", as this was Hollywood's version of the struggle of Geisha's. Therefore, many Japanese have been disappointed at Hollywood's attempt to portray and depict the true lives of real Geisha.
In these circumstances, to balance fact from fiction, one must see the documentary "Hannari | Geisha Modern". This documentary, directed and produced by Ms. Sohara, introduces their world accurately and beautifully. Though this documentary has never been shown at regular movie theaters nationwide, except for special independent screenings, it is has earned a reputation among viewers as the most realistic depiction of Geisha that has ever been shot. According to Ms. Sohara, this documentary will be showing in theatres in the greater Los Angeles area starting this month. The screenings will be planned by Japan societies around the county.
In conjunction with these screening events, Kintetsu will start offering our "Hannari - Geisha Tour Program". This special tour will include individualized and group tours and also provide a glimpse of the real Geisha world. Since you have expressed an interest in this movie and Japan, we created a tour to emphasis and highlight both these attractions.
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Geisha Traditions & Customs:
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Kyoto has a 1210 year history since it became a capital of Japan and helped cultivate Japanese traditional way of live in a wide sphere such as fine arts, music, foods, architectures and customs. The world of Geisha can be considered to be a summarization of Japanese tradition because of its assimilation of various aspects of the other established art forms in Kyoto.
As many artists received financial support from rich people, Geishas had been supported by a limited number of patrons who could afford the cost of living for her entire life. But nowadays it seems very difficult for Geishas to find such rich people, so they are keeping steady customers and taking orders proactively to show their performances at private parties in assistance with professional agencies like KIE with no specific patron. Since they can live on steady customers, they donft accept one time customer so often though traditional Geisha world facing difficulties to maintain the former style financially.
As might be expected, overseas visitors were often at first startled and intrigued by unique Geisha tradition because of the strong contrast with their own. Here lists the examples:
Cherishing regular customers... Turning away first timers, they had never opened their world to the public. Even Japanese could not hire Geisha without referral from someone who is a regular customer or has a special contact with Ochaya House. They placed greater importance on trustful relationship with their clients rather than making money from fickle first timers. The easiest way to reach to authentic Geisha is to ask for an introduction from a company who maintained a long term relationship as their clients.
Remarkable features in cosmetic and costumes... Geisha has several remarkable features in her cosmetic and dress style. Their style is easily identified from other female professions in Kimono. But unfortunately we have seen a lot of Geishas described/depicted incorrectly in the Hollywood movies before. It is because the shortage of actual knowledge of their Japanese coiffure, hair ornament, comb, face powder, under wear, Kimono, Obi sash, foot wear and poach. This time we deepen a little bit about Geishafs cosmetic and dress style.
Entertaining Skills... Dancing, singing, playing musical Instruments, showing graceful carriage with manner of speaking c Through rigorous training and discipline from apprentice, gGeishah becomes a sophisticated entertainment for professionals who can not only create a pleasant moment for their client, but also protect them to maintain business ethics.
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| Geisha Dress & Cosmetic Features: |
Refer below the image to read detailed descriptions of each element of Geisha's costume or click on a specific feature to jump directly to its explanation.
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Kanzashi (Hair ornament & comb): Kanzashi and Kushi are indispensable items for Geisha hair style. They play roll not only for fixing hair but also for spicing up their hairstyle. After Tokugawa period began in 1603, Japanese changed their hairstyle from traditional straight and long, Kanzashi started as hair ornaments and became popular among women throughout classes. According to its popularity more elaborated Kanzashi made from a wide range of materials such as lacquered wood, gold and silver plated metal, tortoiseshell and silk had been made by artisans until the end of 19th century. The way in which a geisha wears her kanzashi indicates her status immediately to an informed audience; according to the type and location of the kanzashi.progress in a fixed pattern. Maiko apprentice Geisha can wear 12 difference Kanzashis which represent a flower/seasonal item of each month.
Japanese female Coiffure and wigs: There were large variety of traditional Japanese hair styles especially for women. People could tell age, region, profession and social class of a women by hair style. Court people, Samurai families, Farmers, Artisans, Merchants and theatrical performers have own hair style. Maiko & Geisha can be also identified by the style. You will never mix Geisha with Oiran, coutesan, if you know their hair style. gShimada styleh is the typical Geisha hairdo in Kyoto. gHyogo styleh is for Oiran. By the way, gMaikoh (apprentice Geisha) grow own hair to dress, but Geishas are regularly in wigs.
Oshiroi and (White Face Powder): Oshiroi characterizes Geisha/Maiko and makes their appearance more strikingly attractive and mysterious . It is made from Kaolinite, Talc, Magnesium Carbonate, Zinc oxide, Cornstarch and Starch. The reason why its so white is said to aim an effect to highlight her beautiful posture in a dark room illuminated by weak paper lanterns lights at night.
Kimono – Yuzen: Geisha & Maiko is always in Kimono. Colorful Furisode with floor-length sleeves is especially worn by Maiko apprentice with gorgeous Obi made in Nishijin Textile. Most full-fledged Geishas never wear vivid Furisodehonly chic and elegant Komon. The kimono is the generic term for traditional Japanese garments which has more than ten different kinds for women. Famous kimonos include Furisode for unmarried women and Maiko, Uchikake for bride gloom in wedding and Yukata for casual occasion in summer.
Elaborated silk-woven Kimonos are worn only by noble people or limited Samurais like feudal lords before 17th Century. This period was when Mr. Yuzen Miyazaki invented the paste-resist method of dyeing designs on textiles using stencils. The method was an imitation of very rare brocades. After the invention, Kimono can be made more effectively and efficiently and became popular among common people in the lower social status. Until today, the method has been used for Kimono pattern. We can find a prosperous Geisha house by the number of expensive Kimonos and Geishas not wearing a kimono more than once. They have large storage of Kimono and Obi sashes.
Obi Sash: Obi sashes worn by Geisha and Maiko are beautiful and elaborate, in order to match the tone and pictures of Kimono. They are usually more colorful and vivid than Kimono and mostly made in Nishijin, considered as the weaving center of traditional textile in Kyoto. Its colorful Obi sashes have been created and handed down from descendants of Hata Family, skillful artisans, naturalized from Korea. They produced elegant clothes for the emperor and the aristocracy. They are so expensive and rare that common people do not have access to them. But after Mr. Miyazaki invented stencil-used Yuzen dying method in 17th century, Kimono gained the popularity among common people and Obi sashes made in Nishijin becoming popular as well. Maiko wear the obi tied in a style called "darari" meaning dangling obi as you see in the picture. Geisha wear Obi sash with more subdued patterns and tied in "drum knot" styles.
Tabi Socks: Tabi is split-toe socks for wearing gZorih, gObokoh or gGetah especially at cold weather which has a Y-shaped strap passes between the first and second toes and around either side of the foot. You might need gTabih when you want to walk outside on Flip-flops in the winter.
Footwear "Zori" or "Oboko": gZorih is the traditional Japanese footwear and known as an origin of Flip-flops, or sandal. It is flat, backless, usually made of rice straw or other plant fibers, cloth, lacquered wood, leather, rubber, or synthetic materials consisting of a flat sole held loosely on the foot by a Y-shaped strap. gZorih is worn for more formal occasion than gGetah, wooden clogs and Geisha wear gZorih. Maiko, however, usually wears gObokoh a kind of gGetah, thicker wooden clogs like the picture above.
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| A GEISHA'S JOURNEY - My Life as a Kyoto Apprentice |
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This book, published by Kodansha International, features gorgeous photographs with an autobiographical narrative that create a unique portrait of a real-life, contemporary maiko and offer a rare, insiderfs glimpse into Kyotofs geisha world. Naoyuki Oginofs striking images capture Komomofs journey, from her first visits after finding the geisha house on the Internet through her training in centuries-old arts. . .all the way through the ceremony in which she became a full-fledged geisha. The photos are accompanied by Komomofs own words, as she shares her thoughts and emotions and describes the day-to-day life of a Kyoto apprentice.
A GEISHAfS JOURNEY is available from www.amazon.com, www.kinokuniya.com and other fine booksellers. For more information visit www.kodansha-intl.com.
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