U M E S H I Z U: Kamishichiken

U M E S H I Z U: Kamishichiken, originally uploaded by mboogiedown.

"Umeshizu has only recently become a full-fledged geisha in the Kamishichiken district of Kyoto. As a geiko, she no longer styles her own hair, but has the privledge of wearing a special wig called a katsura. The large, flashy hair ornaments have been replaced by small, subtle hairpins and combs. Her collar is pure white. As a geiko advances in skill and experience, she relies less on her clothing, accessories and make-up to make her appear beautiful. Her beauty is in her skills as an artist."

N A O K A Z U: Kamishichiken

N A O K A Z U: Kamishichiken, originally uploaded by mboogiedown.

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

N A O Z O M E: Kamishichiken

N A O Z O M E: Kamishichiken, originally uploaded by mboogiedown.

"Naozome is a beautiful, high ranking maiko from Kamishichiken, Kyoto's oldest hanamachi (flower town, where geiko live and entertain)."

G E I K O: Kamishichiken

G E I K O: Kamishichiken, originally uploaded by mboogiedown.

"A beautiful geiko of Kamishichiken, Kyoto's oldest hanamachi ("flower town", where geiko live and entertain). "

Profile tea close geisha

Profile tea close geisha.jpg, originally uploaded by burleydude3.

Katsue: Kamishichiken

Katsue: Kamishichiken, originally uploaded by mboogiedown.

"Katsue, a high ranking maiko of Kamishichiken, one of Kyoto's five hanamachi (flower towns:geisha entertainment districts)."

I R I A S H I: Miyagawa-cho

I R I A S H I: Miyagawa-cho, originally uploaded by mboogiedown.

"Two maiko (apprentice geisha) of Miyagawa-cho return to their okiya."

Girl Talk: Miyagawa-cho

Girl Talk: Miyagawa-cho, originally uploaded by mboogiedown.

"Fukuyoshi, Kikusturu and Fukunao share a laugh before the fall dance recital."