This post is to reward Yumeyakata, the photo studio in Kyoto, who realized the photo shooting as part of my research on-site of the life of geisha. They were so kind to organize a longer than usual meeting where I could meet up with a former geisha, who now assists the company in dressing locals and tourists in traditional costumes. I had visited Yumeyakata once in 2000, when my crush on these artists was as fresh and naive as a maiko, then, back in 2024 I had this session arranged (courtesy of the studio).
I had the opportunity to meet Ms xxxx (sorry for not publishing her name), who had staged as a geisha for 19 years. She had trained on music and dance; calligraphy was her thing too and she was often requested to write wishes at temples.
She recalled that time with a smile, although there had been days when training was so hard, she would have quit. But she had made a choice and had to pursue her success.
After retiring, as expected once salad days aren't that fresh anymore, she looked up for a way to keep the tradition alive. Somehow, it is the legacy of former geisha to teach down through time the mastery of this delicate profession.
She chose to become the main assistant of a geisha, i.e. the person who helps putting on kimonos and obi. No one can actually do it alone, given the numbers of layers and knots needed to wear it impeccably. Ms xxxx kept history alive.
She also assisted me with the iconic make-up: back in the XVII century, natural pigments were used, including some birds dropping to make cream smoother. Nowadays, is professional make up, applied with a brush so soft and cold the skin gloats in the process.
The white fork-shaped signature tattoo on the nape, the lower lip tinted red and the darkened eyebrows: no one would miss a woman like that.
My curiosity on geisha dates back to 2000. I had travelled extensively through Japan and could not fathom what geisha really were. I researched and wrote. And took some photos too. Down in history, these young ladies had undergone training and pain, and competition and glory in order to meet and reproduce the highest standards of Japanese hospitality. They were to dance, and act and master polite conversations. Jokes and games, never to show real emotions, never to fall in love, but always ready to please fantasies and traditions. Western-like actresses from a distant era.
Politicians and guests of honor were greeted by these goddess-like women.
If you think their charm has vanished, think twice because 21st century women still study and work to make your banquets memorable and worth telling.
Getting there
https://www.yumeyakata.com/
