U M E S H I Z U: ohikae

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

"Delivering tea to the guests among the plum blossoms of Kitano Tenmangu shrine, Kyoto.

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 The large, flashy hair ornaments have been replaced by small, subtle hairpins and combs.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."