From Maiko to Geisha, (Geiko), Smiling Lady, Kyoto, Japan
Maiko to Geisha, (Geiko)
I was in Kyoto for 5 days and wanted to capture a genuine Geisha Woman as most of them in Travel guides and brochures are just dressed up for the photographs and as we say in Ireland "Out for the day". There was one particular street I would go and hang out up to sometimes 5 hours a day. I found out later they only leave there home around 4/5 pm and walk down the street and into a taxi and gone, so not an easy task but wanted for my collection as I found them very interesting. On my last day I arrived there was a commotion of about 30 photographers and with my body and sign language someone explained that one was coming out of a house and was going from a Maiko to Geisha, (Geiko).
As she appeared I thought this will not be easy with the 30 photographers but could not believe my fortune, she looked straight at me and smiled. Here you can read more about Maiko to Geisha, (Geiko).
What is a Maiko
“Maiko are the apprentice geisha who are still training to perfect their cultural and entertainment skills. Maiko’s outfits are more eye-catching to divert attention from the lack of knowledge and experience. Geisha’s fashion is usually more mature and subtle. Maiko must live in the “mother”s house and depend on the little stipend she receives from the geisha house. Geisha, on the other hand, are more independent and live in a separate house of their own in the geisha neighbourhoods.
Geisha (Geiko)?
Geisha are professional artists who are registered in official geisha associations and excel in traditional Japanese arts and crafts such as shamisen playing, dancing, and tea ceremony. Geiko is the word that refers to geisha in the Kyoto dialect. Broma-Smenda (2014) defines it as “Geisha (geigi or geiko) is a traditional Japanese female entertainer, whose skills include various arts like dancing, singing, and playing music. Geishas as male companions at banquets were specialized only in traditional Japanese arts in contrast to courtesans (yujô).
I was in Kyoto for 5 days and wanted to capture a genuine Geisha Woman as most of them in Travel guides and brochures are just dressed up for the photographs and as we say in Ireland "Out for the day". There was one particular street I would go and hang out up to sometimes 5 hours a day. I found out later they only leave there home around 4/5 pm and walk down the street and into a taxi and gone, so not an easy task but wanted for my collection as I found them very interesting. On my last day I arrived there was a commotion of about 30 photographers and with my body and sign language someone explained that one was coming out of a house and was going from a Maiko to Geisha, (Geiko).
As she appeared I thought this will not be easy with the 30 photographers but could not believe my fortune, she looked straight at me and smiled. Here you can read more about Maiko to Geisha, (Geiko).
What is a Maiko
“Maiko are the apprentice geisha who are still training to perfect their cultural and entertainment skills. Maiko’s outfits are more eye-catching to divert attention from the lack of knowledge and experience. Geisha’s fashion is usually more mature and subtle. Maiko must live in the “mother”s house and depend on the little stipend she receives from the geisha house. Geisha, on the other hand, are more independent and live in a separate house of their own in the geisha neighbourhoods.
Geisha (Geiko)?
Geisha are professional artists who are registered in official geisha associations and excel in traditional Japanese arts and crafts such as shamisen playing, dancing, and tea ceremony. Geiko is the word that refers to geisha in the Kyoto dialect. Broma-Smenda (2014) defines it as “Geisha (geigi or geiko) is a traditional Japanese female entertainer, whose skills include various arts like dancing, singing, and playing music. Geishas as male companions at banquets were specialized only in traditional Japanese arts in contrast to courtesans (yujô).
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Also in: The Story behind the Photograph
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