Beauty of Fall 秋の美

Beauty of Fall　秋の美, originally uploaded by mboogiedown.

"Geiko of Gion Kobu perform a dance inspired by the colors of fall in Kyoto."

M A M E H I R O : Gion

M A M E H I R O : Gion, originally uploaded by mboogiedown.

"The geiko Mamehiro of Gion Kobu waits to cross Shijo Avenue after a aMiyako Odori performance, the spring dance of her district."

K O S E N : Hassaku

K O S E N : Hassaku, originally uploaded by mboogiedown.

"The young maiko Kosen emerges from a narrow, bamboo lined alley in the Gion Kobu district after a long morning of Hassaku visits.

Kosen

Hassaku is a very important event in Gion Kobu. Robed in the most formal black kimono and full makeup, young maiko and geiko visit the teahouses, teachers, senior geiko and establishments they depend upon to express their gratitude for their support and beg their favor in the future.

Hassaku in Gion"

M A M E T E R U : Hassaku

M A M E T E R U : Hassaku, originally uploaded by mboogiedown.

"Mameteru passes beneath a special noren, or Japanese door curtain as she leaves a teahouse while making her Hassaku visits.

Hassaku is a very important event in Gion Kobu. Robed in the most formal black kimono and full makeup, young maiko and geiko visit the teahouses, teachers, senior geiko and establishments they depend upon to express their gratitude for their support and beg their favor in the future.

Hassaku in Gion

More images of Mameteru"

M A M E T E R U : Asagao

M A M E T E R U : Asagao, originally uploaded by mboogiedown.

"Dressed in a fine, black silk gauze kimono, Mameteru carries a parasol and a fan to protect her from the summer heat as she makes her Hassaku visits. In her hair she wears a summer hanakanzashi (flowered hair ornament), the asagao, or morning glory.

Hassaku is a very important event in Gion Kobu. Robed in the most formal black kimono and full makeup, young maiko and geiko visit the teahouses, teachers, senior geiko and establishments they depend upon to express their gratitude for their support and beg their favor in the future.

Hassaku in Gion

More images of Mameteru"

S A N B O N A S H I : Hassaku

S A N B O N A S H I : Hassaku, originally uploaded by mboogiedown.

"Hassaku is a very important event in Gion Kobu. In the heat of the summer, robed in the most formal black kimono and full makeup, young maiko and geiko visit the teahouses, teachers, senior geiko and establishments they depend upon to express their gratitude for their support and beg their favor in the future.

Because it is a very formal, specical occasion, they leave three tapered prongs of skin bare on their neck, as opposed to the usual two. This is called sanbonashi, or "three legs"."

P I N K : Takahiro

P I N K : Takahiro, originally uploaded by mboogiedown.

"An older image from Miyako Odori, the annual spring dance of the Gion Kobu district. Takahiro, a beautiful young maiko (apprentice geiko) shows off the long, flowing sleeves of her kimono as she dances."