Kotoha : Gion Kobu

Kotoha : Gion Kobu, originally uploaded by mboogiedown.

"Kotoha, a high ranking maiko of the Gion Kobu hanamachi (geisha district) performing during Gion Matsuri, 2006. "

Dover Design Sample

Dover Design Sample, originally uploaded by takeabreak.

Kikusturu 菊つる

Kikusturu 菊つる, originally uploaded by mboogiedown.

"The stunningly beautiful Kikutsuryuu of Miyagawa-cho."

H A N D A R A: Gion

H A N D A R A: Gion, originally uploaded by mboogiedown.

"Two young, soon-to-be maiko make their way to the Ichiriki for the first engagement of the evening. They have not yet become maiko, and do not yet have names, but soon they will be the newest maiko of Gion Kobu! Minarai (apprentice maiko) who are about to become maiko are often called "handara" because they wear their obi in a special way. The long, trailing obi that the maiko of Kyoto are famous for (darari) is shortened to half length (han=half)

I believe the young girl on the right is from Okinawa (^-^)/"

H A N D A R A: Gion

H A N D A R A: Gion, originally uploaded by mboogiedown.

"Two young, soon-to-be maiko make their way to the Ichiriki for the first engagement of the evening. They have not yet become maiko, and do not yet have names, but soon they will be the newest maiko of Gion Kobu! Minarai (apprentice maiko) who are about to become maiko are often called "handara" because they wear their obi in a special way."

Eclair Japon

eclair japon, originally uploaded by pilllpat (agence eureka).

Plum Blossoms: Ichimame

Plum Blossoms: Ichimame, originally uploaded by mboogiedown.

"Ichimame of Kamishichiken, enjoying the plum blossoms of Kitano Tenmangu shrine, Kyoto. Ichimame is known all around the world thanks to the incredible popularity of her blog, despite the fact that it is written entirely in Japanese. If you can read Japanese, you can read Ichimame's blog for yourself. If not, you can read my English translations of the most recent enteries here."

http://ichi.dreamblog.jp/

http://mboogiedown-japan.blogspot.com/2007/03/ichimames-blog-english-updates.html

Maiko girls

Maiko girls, originally uploaded by love_child_kyoto.

"Cute maiko ladys at flower festival at Kami-shichiken,Kyoto.
lameerxp.wordpress.com/2007/04/20/maiko-girls/"

Minamiza Maiko 南座舞妓

Minamiza Maiko 南座舞妓, originally uploaded by mboogiedown.

"Two maiko, apprentice geisha, wait outside the historic Minamiza Theatre, famous for its lavish Kabuki performances, waiting for the show to begin. I thought it might be a good way to show the difference in rank, for anyone out there that cares!"