The Geiko (geisha) Komitsu, Maiko (apprentice geisha) Tokiko and another maiko, boarding a boat around 1917.
[SAME CAPTION #1 - #5) Ca.1900-1915 photos of "Japan's Finest"....Prostitutes, that is. NOTE !!! The below caption, while historically accurate, contains sarcastic commentary about a certain aspect of Japan's glorified culture of prostitution. If sarcastic commentary about such a delicate subject is not your "thing", and offense is easily taken, I would advise you to avoid the below caption, and read a more SERIOUS commentary about the OIRAN and TAYUU here at this photo : www.flickr.com/photos/24443965@N08/2701588987/in/set-7215... Called 'Courtesans" by those who don't like the word "Prostitute", Oiran is just another half-baked Japanese euphemism for "A Prostitute that Costs More than Other Prostitutes"...or in more eloquent terms, she is simply a "Damn Expensive Call Girl". "Call Girl" ? That's right. In fact, at certain times in Japan's illustrious history, she was put on public parade, as she walked from her bordello over to the the nearby "Hotel" where her wealthy "Patron" was waiting (after he had called her over via a perfunctory letter of invitation). And of course, Japan being Japan, she had her little parade of "future hopefuls" tag right along with her -- as seen in this picture, and many others that I've posted. Nowadays, they refer back to these little prostitutes-in-the making with the more politically correct "Ladies in Waiting", "Servant Girls", "Personal Assistants", "Pages", and what have you. In the Japanese language, these child "Prostitute Understudies" were called KAMURO, and were generally sold off to the brothels by their parents at the age of 5 or 6 to be RAISED AND TRAINED SPECIFICALLY TO BE PROSTITUTES. They actually got down to the business of doing what men expected them to do during what Westerners would call the "Middle School Years" --- MINUS THE "SCHOOL" PART OF IT. Well, they must have done a good Job, as Japanese "cultural pride" in this area has not abated, and there seems to be more prostitutes in Japan today then there ever were back then -- albeit the "official age" for engaging in prostitution is now 18. Please note that any and all "Anti-Prostitution Laws" of modern-day Japan are simply a facade to appease "Western Christian Nations" and United Nations members with whom Japan has political and economic ties. However, ADULT PROSTITUTION is not the focus of this caption. In the meantime, it's too bad they quit the Public Parade thing with all the little girls trailing behind (ahem) "MISS CONGENIALITY" like little ducklings. Oh, NO ! Who will the poor little girls of Japan turn to for a Role Model now ? But WAIT ! ALL IS NOT LOST ! Fortunately (?), some "re-creations" are still done in Kyoto and other hot-spots, where the die-hard "Cultural" types of local male citizenry try to hang onto those sweet memories of the good-old-days. You know......like when When FATHERS SOLD THEIR DAUGHTERS INTO PROSTITUTION ! These "LET'S PRESERVE OUR QUESTIONABLE CULTURE" nuts (some of them possibly connected to the Department of Education) occasionally get one of the local Bar Girls to put on a big wig full of shoe-horns and Lincoln-Logs (along with the appropriate foot-high clod-hoppers and three layers of bed-quilts), and strut her stuff for the picture-taking tourists....... as she carries the Banner of Erotic Love into the 21st Century. OH....did I just say NO MORE little girls join in with these ""Prostitute Culture Festivals" of today ??? OOOPS !!! Well, I can't always be right, you know ! See some colorful, MODERN-DAY "Get-'em-Hooked-While-They're-Young" photos right here on flickr -- just a few of many such photos to be found : www.flickr.com/photos/baaaal/2222306464/ and www.flickr.com/photos/tey-san/542722913/ and www.flickr.com/search/?s=int&w=all&q=Kamuro+Tayu&... FOR MORE OF THE GOOD OLD DAYS SEE : www.flickr.com/photos/24443965@N08/2333729757/ And even a 3-D OIRAN here !!! www.flickr.com/photos/24443965@N08/2474742195/ and other related flickr pics with a search of the word OIRAN. Here are some interesting links : gvnet.com/childprostitution/Japan.htm ......and GOD BLESS JAPAN. EXTRA BONUS LINK !!! For a modern-day, popular family festival that was once popular with prostitutes here in Japan, please go here and be enlightened : babibubebo.com/2008/04/07/kanamara-matsuri-festival-of-th...
Geiko (geisha) Kokaji, on the left, together with a maiko (apprentice geisha), in the 1940s or early 1950s. Kokaji appears in the 1939 Miyako Odori (Cherry Dance) programme, as a maiko.
A geiko (geisha) and three maiko (apprentice geisha) make their way through the Pontocho district of Kyoto. © All Rights Reserved by Michael Chandler Enquiries: limescl [at] yahoo.co.jp
Maiko (apprentice geisha) Yachiyo II of Osaka, dressed for the Ashibe Odori, the public dances of the Nanchi Gokagai (Southern five geisha districts), which were first performed in November 1888. The geiko (geisha) of Osaka are known for their "hera-hera odori" or dances that feature acrobatic stunts such as handstands.
Pack like an expert with our Japan packing list. Insightful (and surprising) tips on what to bring, how much to pack, and more!
Explore Riccardo-CA's 263 photos on Flickr!
Inoue School of Dance 1910s, Japan. Maiko (apprentice geisha) Momotarō with two mai-ōgi or dancing fans. The diamond-shaped lozenge on the fans is the kamon or family crest of Inoue Yachiyo, the...
Japan's geisha are cloaked in mystery & secrecy resulting in a number of false ideas about them — so let's get the facts straight!
A photograph by Burt Glinn, in the Japan issue of “Holiday” magazine, October 1961.
Explore Mo Costandi's 472 photos on Flickr!
@Baika-sai (japanese apricot festival) Kitano-tenmangu shrine, Kyoto.
Kayo was a popular geiko (geisha) in Gion, Kyoto during the early Meiji period (1870s). Here she is dressed as a maiko (apprentice geisha). Her name is written in kanji on the reverse, sometimes with the honourable prefix O (お), e.g. O-Kayo.
Geiko,Maiko-Kotohajime / GIon,Kyoto
When the word "GEISHA" is used, the mind automatically sees her in character, and in full dress wearing a Japanese kimono. However, a Geisha...
Three maiko (apprentice geisha) portraying The Three Wise Monkeys, which illustrate the proverb, "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil". Maiko Satogiku (right), Maiko Tomeko (centre), and Maiko Takewaka (left). Maiko Tomeko’s pocchiri (sash clasp) looks like it depicts a cat playing with a Temari ball.
Taken Monday 11th March, 2011. Maiko-henshin around Kyomizu area. Canon 7D 70-200mm 2.8L @ f3.2 1/400 105mm ISO100 www.redbubble.com/people/tourjapan
Color Slide: Glimpse of Japan Series (by jericl cat)
An okiya is a Japanese lodging house where maiko or geisha live as she fulfills her 'nenki' (the Japanese word for a geisha's contract with her particular okiya). The very first step in becoming a geisha is to be legally accepted into an okiya, which may or may not be hard depending on the young woman's connections with the house. Most girls who come to live at an Okiya must be under the tender age of 15, for it is better for a geisha to begin her training at a young age as geisha etiquette take
The Maiko of Kyoto (by Baron Reznik)
A vintage postcard from around the late 1910s or early 1920s. The same two Geiko (Geisha) appear in the following postcard: www.flickr.com/photos/blue_ruin_1/5412161004/ The same Maiko (Apprentice Geisha) appears in the following postcard: www.flickr.com/photos/blue_ruin_1/4676637713/ I think that she must be the second girl from the left in this photo.
From left to right, Maiko Kohisa, Maiko Momotarō and Maiko Fumiryō.
Three Geiko (Geisha) from the late 1930s with printed signatures, the central Geiko is holding a beautiful Ichimatsu Ningyo (Play Doll). Akiko on the left, Koteru (?) in the middle, and Toba on the right.
This is a large format Albumen photograph from around 1900, so it has great clarity and good resolution. As per usual, there are a few anomalies with the hand colouring, such as the Geiko’s Eri (inside collar) being painted blue when it should be white and the Maiko’s Kushi (hair comb) being painted pink when it is obviously made of tortoiseshell.
This postcard dates to around the mid 1920s.
There are many people who don't know about the differences between Geisha, Geiko and Maiko ...
Kamuro 1913 (by Blue Ruin1) Both her hairstyle and the way her obi (sash) is tied, suggest that she is a Kamuro (child attendant for an Oiran or Tayuu) rather than a Maiko (Apprentice Geisha).
第六景 祇園小唄 (Scene #6:Gion-higashi kouta、Gion-higashi song) Geiko Tsuneyuu つね有 View On Black
Maiko, and the young Mineko Iwasaki by Miegiku In Gion, 1956, age seven. I’ve always liked Mineko Iwasaki. And I hardly find any photo’s of her, online atleast. So I’ll post a few from time to time.
