If you judge by our growing collection of photos of the back of various maikos that we have spotted in Kyoto, one thing is clear: we have become shameless "geisha" stalkers. How embarrassing. But what is perhaps more embarrassing is that there is a mini-industry in Kyoto for women who harbor geisha fantasies and pay to dress up and walk through the Gion district wearing full kimono, makeup, and wigs. Here's the cultural challenge for tourists: Can you spot the "real" geisha from the "fake"? It's entirely possible that we've been stalking fake geishas all along.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Geisha Celebrity Sightings
If you judge by our growing collection of photos of the back of various maikos that we have spotted in Kyoto, one thing is clear: we have become shameless "geisha" stalkers. How embarrassing. But what is perhaps more embarrassing is that there is a mini-industry in Kyoto for women who harbor geisha fantasies and pay to dress up and walk through the Gion district wearing full kimono, makeup, and wigs. Here's the cultural challenge for tourists: Can you spot the "real" geisha from the "fake"? It's entirely possible that we've been stalking fake geishas all along.
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3 comments:
Too funny.
I remember that when my pal Doug was living in Japan and visiting Kyoto, he was THRILLED to spot a geisha and tracked her through the streets -- that was some time ago now, perhaps pre-Geisha-for-a-Day industry ... but perhaps not!
xo.
so e--i take it that you haven't succumbed to the temptations of passing as a maiko or geisha. if you do, i want to see pictures. the whole outfit, including the wig, must be very very uncomfortable--perhaps not the thing to do during the summer but we all have our moments of weakness. hope you're all well.
You are not alone . . . Half of the country goes crazy (not just Westerners) when they see a geisha or maiko. How can you tell the difference between the real thing and a person having dress-up fun? Ah, the grace; the sheer grace. If they teeter on their shoes or look self-conscious when they walk down the street (etc) -- you know it's for fun. But when you see the real deal, you know it immediately because of the calm, serene grace. All my feminist sympathies peel off and I just stand there gawking like the rest of us.
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