Maiko san Photo | TrekEarth

Photographer’s Note

In the old area of Kyoto you will still be able to see some Geiko (Geisha) or Maiko (apprentice Geiko). They are usually on the way to or from a lunch or dinner appointment with clients in the same area.
When you ask, you will most of the time be able to take a picture.
The total number of Geisha and Maiko is declining since a long time and currently there are only about 1,000 left in the whole of Japan with most of them in the Kyoto area and in Tokyo.
With this picture, I was lucky she was carrying the umbrella as it was raining this day, giving the picture just a bit more than usual.
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More Maiko san pictures to come with Sakura (Cherry Blossom)

isa, mamcg, Wanda1, MLINES, kittyhawk has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

isa (1964) 2008-04-04 17:07

Hi Etienne,
Beautiful shot, great potrait whit excelent colurs and definition.
Congratulations,
Best Regards,
Isa

mamcg (4509) 2008-04-04 19:52

Geisha, I don't know but this much I know that here the RED colour is dominating though I remember the Japanies flag post WAR and recent these both have SUN and Japan is the land of SUN, about the metering that the rest of colours make fool of meter so I prefer face metering for correct colour, Am I right? my heart beats with the unfortunate person who suffers from some adverse circumstance of atomic bomb dropped on Heroshima and Nagasaki...(tears..)

Wanda1 (10878) 2008-04-05 1:16

Hi Etienne,
I really like this shot, her umbrella matching the colour of her clothing and her serene expression. Well composed so that we can see al the slpendid detail of this tradition. Nicely captured.
Regards
Wanda

davide (1144) 2008-04-05 12:32

Hello etienne,
a great portrait, raeally well done! I think gheisha and maiko are true living art operas.
Compliments for this photo and for your travel,
Davide

MLINES (10840) 2008-04-06 4:34

Hi Etienne, A clasic and beautiful Geisha lady with good cropping. A very well arranged photogrph. TFS. Murray.

nekoyama (572) 2008-04-06 8:02

Hello Etienne.

There are so many geisha/maiko pictures here, but, honestly, are very few shots look beautiful for me. I think yours is nice with her smile, naked lower arm and an umbrella in a good composition.

By the way, a word "Geisha" sounds a bit rustic (I mean "Tokyo-ish") for me. I don't mean that you are wrong, but in Kansai(includes Kyoto) they called "Geiko".

As you say, apprentice "Geiko" is called "Maiko" in Kyoto. On the other hand, apprentice "Geisha" is called "Hangyoku" in Tokyo. So there is an anatopism in your expression.
I know that it's just a trivial local terminology. But it doesn't sit well with me, a Kansai-jin....No offense to you...

Thanks for sharing.
Regards,
Keitaro

kittyhawk (1687) 2008-04-06 18:59

Hello Etienne,

Interesting portrait. The kimono, and umbrella give great collor to this photo. The distinkt makeup is a very nice element as well. Really nicely captured. Your note is informative as well. TFS.

Friendly,
- Halgeir

t_wullems (292) 2008-09-11 13:42

Gozah!!
Toppertje toppertje, ik kan er niet meer van zeggen.
By the way, we zijn weer online hoor, na 6 maanden!!! Welcome to the Banana Republic....
Spreek je gauw
Mzzl. T.

yuo (794) 2008-10-21 21:26