Photographer's Note
She is an "Oiran" lady. The deatil expalantion of "Oiran" is as follows from "Wikipedia"
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Oiran were courtesans in Japan. The oiran were considered a type of yūjo "woman of pleasure" or prostitute. However, they are distinguished from the yūjo in that they were entertainers, and many became celebrities of their times outside the pleasure districts. Their art and fashions often set trends among the wealthy and, because of this, cultural aspects of oiran traditions continue to be preserved to this day. The oiran arose in the Edo period (1600–1868). At this time, laws were passed restricting brothels to walled districts set some distance from the city center, known as yūkaku, (pleasure quarter). In the major cities these were the Shimabara in Kyoto, the Shinmachi in Osaka, and in Edo (present-day Tokyo), the Yoshiwara. These rapidly grew into large, self-contained "pleasure quarters" offering all manner of entertainments. Entertainment establishments were known as ageya. Within, a courtesan’s birth rank held no distinction, which was fortunate considering many of the courtesans originated as the daughters of impoverished families who were sold into this lifestyle as indentured servants. Instead, they were categorized based on their beauty, character, education, and artistic ability.
Oiran rank was established after the tayū (previously highest level) and koshi (second level) ranks' glory dwindled. Tayū were considered the highest rank of courtesan or prostitute and were considered suitable for the daimyo. In the mid-1700s (specifically the Meiwa era, 1764–1772), courtesan ranks disappeared and courtesans of all classes were collectively known as "oiran".
Negative misconceptions are often attached to the oiran of Edo Japan due to the stigma given to modern prostitutes, but the two professions differed. As oiran were also entertainers they were valued for much more than just their looks and sexual prowess. In order to be considered an oiran, a woman had to be educated in a number of skills, including in the traditional arts of chadō (Japanese tea ceremony), ikebana (flower arranging), and calligraphy. In addition, clients expected them to be knowledgeable in scholarly matters, and so it was essential that courtesans had the abilities to carry witty and intelligent conversation and write eloquently. It was evident then that “the [popularity] of a bimbo, no matter how gorgeous, would have been limited [in Edo society]. "The isolation within the closed districts resulted in the oiran becoming highly ritualised in many ways and increasingly removed from the changing society. Strict etiquette governed appropriate behavior. Their speech preserved the formal court standards rather than the common language. A casual visitor would not be accepted; their clients would summon them with a formal invitation, and the oiran would pass through the streets in a formal procession with a retinue of servants. The costumes worn became more and more ornate and complex, culminating in a style with eight or more pins and combs in the hair, and many prescribed layers of highly ornamented garments derived from those of the earliest oiran from the early Edo period. Similarly, the entertainments offered were derived from those of the original oiran generations before. Ultimately, the culture of the oiran grew increasingly rarefied and remote from everyday life, and their clients dwindled.
The rise of the geisha ended the era of the oiran. Geisha practiced the common entertainments enjoyed by the people of that time and were much more accessible to the casual visitor. Their popularity grew rapidly and eclipsed that of the oiran. The last oiran record was in 1761. The few remaining women still currently practicing the arts of the oiran (without the sexual aspect) do so as a preservation of cultural heritage rather than as a profession or lifestyle.
holmertz, CLODO, ourania, Sonata11, aliabazari, kabel, mohammad_H, kordinator, Noel_Byrne, marabu61 has marked this note useful
Critiques | Translate
maxifred
(2409) 2012-10-20 4:59
My dear friend,
If I only look at the picture without reading your note,I would say that you have been present in a moment of intense concentration of this lady...
This seems to be really important for her,even as an actress...
As usually you caught all the best of the instant with your camera and your photographer inspiration.
Best regards,
Fred
holmertz
(26906) 2012-10-20 5:25
Hello Takero,
This woman has a fascinating face, especially her eyes. She has such an intense look, underscored by the red lining. The red umbrella makes a good background matching the red of her clothes and face. Her head and that of the more discreetly dressed man form a diagonal going straight from the upper right corner. All these ingredients, along with the low POV, make this a very fine composition.
Kind regards,
Gert
CLODO
(24726) 2012-10-20 5:57
Hi Takero, my today neighbour!
the low POV enhances the lady in her colorfull dress, but I don't understand why you still let the blurred guy in the BG, not in the mood of the picture.
crop it, as in the proposed WS!
Cheers
CLODO
ACL1978
(5773) 2012-10-20 6:05
A striking and beautiful portrait, Takero! Amazing style on this lady - the amount of time that must have gone into the hair alone is astounding. Another perfect expression from you as well - very measured and alert. The blurred background of man and umbrella adds nice depth and color. Well done my friend!
Andrew
ourania
(12343) 2012-10-20 7:16
Hello dear Takero,
this is a fascinating portrait which you have composed superbly. I like very much how the lady is placed in the frame filling it with her presence and leaving room behind her for the elegant umbrella of a very passionate colour and for a man who is looking down and looks humble. The lady is beautiful and proud, her costume colourful and impressive but her face has a captivating intensity. Her wet eyes are mysterious as she seems to be magnetized by something or someone we'll never know, out of the frame. Excellent art direction and technical execution, congratulations and thank you!
All the best, have a lovely day,
Ourania from mildly autumnal Leros
Sonata11
(28289) 2012-10-20 8:30
Hi Takero,
Wooooow!!! what a beauty in her gorgeous colorful komino dress, teh umbrella in fantastic placed, her fascinated look. An amazing expresion on her face and a little blur BG. Magnificent composition and fantastic vetrtical format make this portrait of her awesome!!! Congratulation. Thank you. Love it!
All the best and have a great WE,
Barbara from still hot Texas
aliabazari
(10105) 2012-10-20 9:53
こんにちはTakeroいとしい
ディスプレイ上の美しい女性のとても素敵な肖像画。非常に壮観な照明と組成。日本の魅力的な色と伝統的な衣装。
よろしく、アリ
carlo62
(12550) 2012-10-20 10:11
Ciao Takero
molto intenso lo sguardo di questa donna, un mix tra il preoccupato ed il concentrato.
Composizione e colori splendidi come sempre.
Saluti
Carlo
kabel
(991) 2012-10-20 20:14
Hello Takero, amazing and beautiful portrait of the courtesan in her exquisite robe. Your chosen low point of view accentuates her beauty and the look on her face.
TFS,
Karen
mohammad_H
(6588) 2012-10-20 23:32
Hi
Background beautiful river city
Japan women's clothes, kimono, hair ornaments, attractive colors
Very good resolution,
Have a nice day
kordinator
(13411) 2012-10-21 1:01
Dear Takero
Amazing portrait of beautiful courtesan in her exquisite robe.
Nice chosen low point of view.
Nice expresion on her face.
Her costume is colourful and impressive.
Another grat photos.
All the best.
Saša
macondo
(17949) 2012-10-21 1:41
Hello Takero,
I like this photo a lot, it has a really strong dynamic presence, with the low viewpoint and the pose of the woman giving her a forward motion. I think you timed it well to capture the background with the other slightly blurry figure under the large red umbrella. Great colour. I find the expression on her face to be very interesting, too, and I wonder what she is looking at so intently. A marvellous photo, well done.
Regards,
Andrew
Noel_Byrne
(7329) 2012-10-21 3:27
Hi Takero,
This womans expression is wonderful, and particularly when considered with your fantastic note. Her eyes look harsh, I do not think she would tolerate fools, and her costume and colours and beautiful. The man behind looking down while holding the umbrella is a nice addition too. Thanks for sharing this wonderful piece of history.
Best wishes
Noel
marabu61
(3900) 2012-10-22 6:41
Konichiwa Takero san
Superb note, again I have learned something today trough TE. Until today I was never sure at what the Oiran distincted from the Geisha.
Beautiful lady in an even more beautiful dress. I love your low POV, giving the Oiran an airy aloof mood.
The only thing botherin me in this composition is the man in the background, although out of focus, I would have cropped him out.
have a good day
Daniel
dale54
(4920) 2012-10-22 11:37
well hello my friend from japan,takero you sure show us how colorfull and beautifull japan is,so thanks for that!!this is a very stunning shot! love it! dr
abmdsudi
(26215) 2012-10-29 5:01
Pak Talkero YTH
Saya istirahat empat hari dan kembali lagi deh, di harap bapak sehat aje.
Kore wa sorehodo kikazatte utsukushiku, seimei no kanzen'na yōna kan'nō-tekina joseidesu. Kireaji wa totemo yoidesushi, roshutsu wa zandaka hijō ni yoku, totemo subarashīdesu. Hikui satsuei kakudo ga kyōretsuna inpakuto to hijō ni umaku dekiru node, yoi sofutona haikei to torimingu ga tsuika sa remasuga, migotona iro wa hontōni kono yōna yūgana e ni kore o on ni shimasu. Omedetōgozaimasuto shinsetsu yoroshiku kansha d wa
karacabeylis
(1283) 2012-10-29 9:13
a quite effective scene giving a massive impact thru a perfect angle. well-done buddy.
Photo Information
-
Copyright: Takero KAWABATA (bukitgolfb301)
(30063) - Genre: People
- Medium: Color
- Date Taken: 2012-10-20
- Categories: Festivals
- Camera: Canon 1D MKIII, Canon 28-70mm f:2.8 (L)
- Exposure: f/2.8, 1/800 seconds
- More Photo Info: view
- Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
- Date Submitted: 2012-10-20 4:22
Discussions
- To CLODO: Many thanks (1)
by bukitgolfb301, last updated 2012-10-20 02:38









