Kyoto's streets form a well-arranged grid, with North-South streets crossing through East-West streets. Each of these streets gives off a unique character, and all of them are bustling with tourists every day. This series gives some tips on how to effectively explore the area, and also points out some shops within it. The second part of the series features Ponto-cho. The narrow alley, filled with a traditional Japanese ambiance, is lined with izakaya (Japanese bars) and restaurants on both sides. Although it exudes a mature adult atmosphere, this article introduces 6 inviting restaurants that anyone can visit without feeling intimidated.

Planning to see Geisha in Kyoto? Head into the areas where they live and entertain. These geisha districts are known as hanamachi and there are 5 in Kyoto.

Do you dream of seeing a geisha in real life? This guide will show you how to suceed! Make your Japanese dream come true!

Planning to see Geisha in Kyoto? Head into the areas where they live and entertain. These geisha districts are known as hanamachi and there are 5 in Kyoto.

Hamayū (濱勇) of Shinbashi. A Meiji period junior Geiko (Geisha) with the Yamato geisha house in the Nanchi gokagai (Southern five geisha districts) of Osaka and a Taisho period Geisha with the Shinbashi hanamachi in Tokyo. There are several contemporary postcards and references in the literature to her under the name Hamayū, both as a junior geisha in Osaka and later as a geisha in Tokyo, but none that account for the name Hawaryu. Perhaps it is a title or a nickname (Tokyo Dragon)? See: www.archive.org/stream/workingwomenjap00guligoog#page/n12...

Planning to see Geisha in Kyoto? Head into the areas where they live and entertain. These geisha districts are known as hanamachi and there are 5 in Kyoto.

Explore the city with this self guided Kyoto walking tour around central Kyoto. Follow the marked route or pick attractions to suit your interests

Ponta was a famous Hangyoku (Young Geisha) of the Shinbashi hanamachi (geisha district) in Tokyo. This image appears in a couple of different publications by Kazumasa Ogawa, including the booklet entitled “Photographs of Japanese Customs and Manners”, first published in 1898, which has the following caption: “A Japanese Belle – This represents a fair type of Japanese beauty. She is in her [tasteful] summer dress, and is in the attitude of taking a breeze on a verandah which is always attached to the back of a house facing the garden. A polygonal paper lantern, with long paper [tassels], is a common decoration to be seen in a Japanese home during the hot season. The pose of a fair maiden such as represented in this picture in a light summer robe, holding a fan, is a favorite subject for Japanese artists.” See: www.baxleystamps.com/litho/ogawa/ogawa_customs_manners_44...

production year unknown Remake sales of old type Shoki Produced by remaking old designs All made to order Made in Japan SIDE: 30cm x 30cm x 25cm The material is Japanese tile WEIGHT:about 4200g Made to order only, delivery takes approximately 1-8 weeks Also on sale at the official site Onikoubouyu About It is tax no included price display Customs duty will be charged Can be used for interior gardening The name of this uncle-looking doll is Shoki-san. He can be seen everywhere in the city of Kyoto. I’m on the roof of a Japanese house in Hanamachi where Maiko lives. The culture that represents Kyoto The image of the house is tightened with the color of smoke Only one item is currently available for order. According to legend, “Emperor Xuanzong fell ill and had a dream.” At his bedside suffering from a fever, goblins called “Void” and “Wu” appeared and tried to steal Yang Guifei's incense bag and flute. Who is there? When he inspired, a big bearded man with a hat, a square belt and leather shoes appeared out of nowhere, and in no time at all he ate the demon. When asked about the identity of this person, who looks scarier than a goblin, he replies, “My name is Shoki. I failed the imperial examination and took my own life because I was ashamed to return to my country. I came here to exterminate the demons as a token of my gratitude for the generous burial.'' The emperor woke up from a dream, and strangely enough, he was completely healed. Therefore, he ordered a painter to draw the appearance of Shoki as he saw in his dream, and made it a guardian deity that wards off misfortune.” It means stronger than Oni It is an amulet

Sadayakko (貞奴) was her stage name as an actress and dancer, derived from a combination of her real name, Sada Koyama, and her geisha name, Yakko. Born in 1871, the twelfth child of a Samurai family, which had fallen into poverty, she was adopted as the heir to the Hamada okiya (geisha house) in the Yoshi-cho hanamachi (geisha district) of Tokyo at the age of four. In 1893, after a successful career as a geisha, she retired at the age of twenty-two to marry Otojiro Kawakami, a ‘new wave’ actor and theatrical entrepreneur. However, after only a few years of marriage they were in severe financial difficulties when one of his major ventures failed. So, in 1899 the couple leapt at an opportunity to tour the United States of America where, at the age of twenty-eight she re-invented herself as Sadayakko (or Sada Yacco), the first female actor in Japan for two hundred and fifty years. After a tumultuous beginning, Sadayakko eventually found acclaim and they went on to tour Paris and the European capitals where Sadayakko was feted as a star, her performances influencing artistic luminaries of the time such as, Pablo Picasso, Isadora Duncan and Claude Debussy. The couple returned to Japan in August 1902 and went on to champion ‘new wave’ theatre and European-style productions at home, re-interpreting many of the Western classics for a Japanese audience. Her portrayal of Orié (Ophelia) was a triumph, her long black tresses tumbling to her waist, her face like that of a little lost child, wearing a pale water-blue dress trimmed with white lace, flowers in her hair and in her hands, singing snatches of nursery rhymes “rain is falling on his grave…no, not rain, it is tears of blood”.

Planning to see Geisha in Kyoto? Head into the areas where they live and entertain. These geisha districts are known as hanamachi and there are 5 in Kyoto.

Maiko Mamewaka appears in the 1939 “Kamogawa Odori” (Kamo River Dance), the spring and autumn dances of the Ponto-cho hanamachi (geisha district) in Kyoto. Here she is wearing an unusual Kiri (Paulownia) kanzashi (hair ornament) and a Takara Zukushi (Treasure Symbols) kimono.

The historic Gion district of Kyoto is well-known for Japanese geishas. Here are seven things you should know before you seek out these women.

A former geisha from the Shinbashi hanamachi (geisha district) in Tokyo, Yukiko Tsukuba became a movie actress at the age of 16 in 1922. In costume for the 1926 propaganda film "Yofu Gonin Onna" (Five Vamp Women). See: ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%95%E3%82%A1%E3%82%A4%E3%83%A...

Eiryō I a Geisha from the Shinbashi Hanamachi in Tokyo, posed in the attitude of desire. This is a hand coloured postcard from around 1905, showing her dressed in the Genroku style, wearing the Hako-shimada (Box Shimada) hairstyle of the middle Edo period. Eiryō, was one of the 'First Septet', a group of seven top-class geisha beauties in the Shinbashi district of Tokyo during the Meiji period, formed with the support of wealthy merchants and gentlemen. She attained the position of a Meigi or famed geisha with another of the septet, Oimatsu.

Self-guided Japan Itinerary options with 5, 10 days and 2 weeks in Japan. Our Japan Itinerary 10 days includes Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. .

kuroyuki: “ Kamishichiken Bon-Odori #5 by Onihide on Flickr. ”

Booking a real geisha (or geigi) can be VERY expensive. However, with Niigata geisha, you can meet them for only $26! Here's how.

Self-guided Japan Itinerary options with 5, 10 days and 2 weeks in Japan. Our Japan Itinerary 10 days includes Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. .

In 1917 there were eight hanamachi (geisha districts) in Kyoto: Gion Kobu (Gion Grade A); Gion Otsubu (Gion Grade B), later re-named Gion Higashi-Shinchi (Gion Eastern New Land); Miyagawachō (Shrine River Ward); Shimabara (possibly a reference to Shimabara Castle); Kamishichiken (Seven Houses in the Upper Area); Shichijō-Shinchi (Seven Emotions New Land); Gobanchō (Go Board Ward); and Pontochō (Ponta is a Portuguese word meaning “Point” e.g. Point Ward). However, only five remain today, which are collectively known as the Gokagai (five hanamachi).

Game: 花街 物語 Tên tiếng Việt: Câu chuyện một Geisha Thể loại game: Yaoi 18+ DOWNLOAD Giới thiệu Hanamachi: có nghĩa là Phố hoa, một game nói về những Kagema (Tiểu quan). Uke của chúng ta là Suri, có …

The front cover of “Fūzoku Gahō” (Meiji customs magazine) no. 322, published in 1905. Illustrating two geigi (geisha), from the Shinbashi hanamachi (geisha district) of Tokyo, dressed in the Generoku Style.

An unmounted albumen photographic print signed, M A McDowell, on the reverse. A ruled box for a caption that was never added appears in the bottom right-hand corner. The hand-colouring is really velvety. I was originally told that this photograph dated to the 1920s, however, O-En and Ponta were two famous Geisha from the Shinbashi hanamachi in Tokyo during the late 1890s and early 1900s.

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 Kyoto Gion district is a famous “hanamachi” geisha district and an excellent place to experience the atmosphere of ancient Kyoto. Starting from Gion-Shijo Station on the Keihan Railway, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery and casually stroll around Gion Shopping Street, Hanamikouji Street, and Yasaka Shrine. Here are ten fascinating spots to visit on a walking tour of the area.

Explore きこりん@北のほたるや's 605 photos on Flickr!

Vintage & antique kimonos from Japan.

Tayuu 太夫 - Japan - circa 1910 Source : yuki willy v Flickr

Planning to see Geisha in Kyoto? Head into the areas where they live and entertain. These geisha districts are known as hanamachi and there are 5 in Kyoto.

Planning to see Geisha in Kyoto? Head into the areas where they live and entertain. These geisha districts are known as hanamachi and there are 5 in Kyoto.

Explore ermusanna's 260 photos on Flickr!

名古屋 (Nagoya) こと葉 (Kotoha)

This is one of my favourite photos of a Geiko (Geisha) sometime around the 1930s.