Tengukai with Taikomochi

Peter belongs to a gourmet group called the "Tengukai" which is a group of Japanese professionals who are all accomplished in the arts or specialists of Japanese culture who enjoy good food and drink. Every month or so they get together, perform their various arts for each other, as well as hire maiko, geiko etc....

On May 31st they invited a "taikomochi" or "hokan" (male geisha) from the Asakusa district in Tokyo to join the festivities. Sakuragawa Shichiko is one of four remaining taikomochi in Tokyo. Here are a few pictures of the group and then evening.


Impersonating a courtesan and name sticker.


Shichiko-san having a laugh with Tengukai members.


Shichiko-san with Peter and Tengukai members.

Tokyo Azuma Odori

The Azuma Odori has been held in the Shimbashi Embujo Theater since 1923. It is one of the public's only chances to see the geisha of Shimbashi, Tokyo in action. This is an event that happens anually, usually at the end of May, and is usually attended by geisha representing all the districts in Tokyo, and many made the trip from Kyoto, including the top names from Gion Kobu and Miyagawa-cho. Peter was asked by a Kamishichiken tea house owner to take her to see the dances last Sautrday, so they went for the day. Because photos were prohibited, we're posting the cover of the pamphlet and some pictures inside that were taken but another photographer (these are not Peter's photos).


The cover.


Geisha performing a dance called "Ume no Sakae" (The Prosperity of Plum Blossoms)


Geisha performing in the roles of Oiran (highest class of Tokyo cortesan) and Shinzo (apprentices to the Oiran).

Busy April

April is the busiest tourist season of the year in Japan, not just for international visitors, but for domestic travellers. I've been working all kinds of crazy hours this month, so I'm sorry for not updating much!

Today I am posting pictures of some of the maiko who entertained at my company's parties this month. If you are interested in having a private geiko or maiko party with me interpreting, please visit the VIP Services section of my Hanagumo website for details.


Tsuruha, the first maiko from Okinawa, who now works in the Gion Kobu district.


Kimiyuu from the Miyagawa-cho district.

More photos are on my Flickr Photo Page.

Mokuroku

As you may have seen in our video about Yasuha's Erikae, on special occasions there are posters put outside houses. These posters are called "mokuroku", and are for wishing a maiko/geiko luck on misedashi (debut as a maiko) and erikae (graduation to a geiko).

Here is a detailed look and explanation of the one Peter commissioned for Yasuha:

Miyako Odori 2008 Video

Here is a video "trailer" for this year's Miyako Odori. We filmed it at the dress rehearsal.



I hope that if you come to Kyoto this April you will get to see the dances!

Miyako Odori 2008

Today Peter attended the special invite-only dress rehearsal of the Miyako Odori. The Miyako Odori is the most famous geisha dance, which gives the general public the chance to see geisha perform without hiring them personally. The Miyako Odori runs from April 1 to 30, and is held in the Gion Kobu Kaburenjo. The performances run 4 times a day at 12:30, 2:00, 3:30 and 4:50. You can usually buy tickets on the day, except probably weekends, and especially the later sessions.

This is this year's dance booklet:



And as a present here are scans of the maiko who are performing this year:

Maiko Page 1
Maiko Page 2
Maiko Page 3
Maiko Page 4

Video to come soon!

Yasuha's Erikae

Last week, maiko Yasuha of the Miyagawa-cho geisha district "turned her collar" and became a geiko (geisha). Peter was there to photograph this happy event, and we have some photos and videos to share.



For more photos: Visit Peter's Flickr account.