Pontocho Maiko : Spring 2008

Kyoto Rewind : April 6, 2008


Ichiemi, now a high ranking maiko in the Pontocho district, greets the mistress of a teahouse during a small cherry blossom festival along the Takase Canal.


Ichiemi looks every bit the stylish, sophisticated young woman in this stunning lavender kimono ensemble. Even her adorably child-like cheeks have thinned out.


Ichiharu


The long, fluttering strands cherry blossoms hanging from Shinaju's hanakanzashi, or flowered hair ornament, testify to her low rank and inexperience as a maiko, appealing instead to her youth and child-like charm. Compare it with Ichiharu's above, who is of a slightly higher rank.

Hisano, now a geiko, and Ichiemi walk beneath the lacey veil of cherry blossoms along the Takase canal as sunlight falls in playful patterns along the pavement.

As if Ichiemi's lavendar kimono wasn't enough. Coupled with this remarkable pastel obi, colored with the sweet, pastel pallet of spring, this ensemble quickly became my favorite this season.

Sasuga Gion: さすが祇園！

Kyoto Rewind: April 1, 2008


Mamemchika strolls past the wooden facades of the machiya (traditional wooden townhouses) that line Gion's well-preserved lanes. It's always so exciting to see her again! She's become such a beautiful geiko. I know it's silly, but I can't help but feel a sort of affection for the girls I've seen blossom from maiko to geiko over the past four years, especially the ones I've had the pleasure of meeting.

After attending the opening day performance of Miyako Odori, we couldn't help but stumble over maiko and geiko on the way to their evening engagements as we strolled through Gion, no doubt en route to Starbucks. Sasuga Gion! (Just what you would expect from Gion).


The young maiko Momiju looked pretty in pink as she fluttered through Pontocho.


She's no maiko, but she looked beautiful in her long-sleeved furisode kimono! Kawaii!


Where there are maiko, their are photographers. (Mameteru)

Maiko + Sakura = (^_^)

Someone looks happy! Clouds of cherry blossoms and a cute young maiko named Ichiharu make for one memorable hanami pre-game festivity... More on that later (^_<)/

Hanagasa Gyoretsu: Pontocho

The maiko Hisano looks calm and composed before joining the geiko of Pontocho in offering a dance to the dieties of Yasaka Shrine.

With a rare view of their own hair pulled back in a sleek, simple pony tale, the geiko of Pontocho ride through Kyoto in a flowered float during the Hanagasa Kyoretsu, the Procession of Flowered Hats.

Dressed as miko, or shrine maidens, Hisano performs "Kabuki Odori" with her fellow geiko.

Kamogawa Odori: Finale

Hisacho

Ichikiku

Hisacho

Ichiemi

Hisamari

Hisamari, the most beautiful, popular and successful maiko in Pontocho, performing in this spring's Kamogawa Odori.

Modern Maiko

A maiko checks in with her Okiya on her ketai, or mobile phone, as she strolls Shijo-dori with her Yakuza-looking patron during Gion Matsuri's Yoiyama. A few geiko followed behind. (The Yakuza is like the Japanese mafia).

A Summer Stroll in Ponto Cho

Hisano, a beautiful young maiko from Ponto-cho in her casual daytime yukata, sheilded from the scolding summer sun by a Japanese paper umbrella.


Hisano strolls along the narrow alley known as Pontocho, the second largest traditional entertainment district in Kyoto, after Gion. Running 500 meters (0.3 miles), it is bordered on the east by the Kamo river and the Takase-gawa canal to the west.


A clear sign the summer has come. More than 80 of Pontocho's restaurants, bars, and other establishments set up wooden balconies on stilts over the canal on the west bank of the Kamo River, between Nijo Street and Gojo Street.


The famous Kamo River has been the backdrop of the Geisha and Maiko of Kyoto since the mid 17th century, when the first tea houses of Gion and Pontocho sprang up. Summer is the perfect chance to enjoy dinner by the cool, clear waters of the Kamagawa.


The mountains fade into blue as your eye follows the path of the river downstream, until its hard tell where the mountains end and the clouds begin


Pontocho's mon (crest) adorns the bright red lanterns that line the narrow alleyway, bringing a soft glow to magical evenings among the old buildings, illuminating ephemeral glimpses of geiko and maiko as they disappear into the night. The chidori is a small bird known as a plover, often spotted along the banks of the Kamogawa.