Asakusa it certainly is. And a real geisha she most certainly isn’t. But what’s similarly certain is that the sight of her is still very striking.
An Asakusa geisha
Photographs from a small group of islands
Photographs from a small group of islands
Asakusa it certainly is. And a real geisha she most certainly isn’t. But what’s similarly certain is that the sight of her is still very striking.
Martin says
Very nice photo. It looks like she is attracting attention even from the Japanese around her.
Lee says
Cheers! Yes, she was. Quite a lot of attention actually. It was interesting to see people’s reactions as she walked past.
Jeffrey says
He, perhaps?
Julie H. says
Actually the person appears to be dressed up as an oiran. That is my guess. Plus I don’t think most real geisha would be wearing red toenail polish.
I know they have oiran processions in some places. However I know the outfits are even more elaborate than this one.
Kind of a step back to Edo when there use to be geisha and oiran and more around Taito not too far from Asakusa.
Lee says
Ah, thanks for the info, Julie. I wasn’t aware of oiran. Just had a look at some old photos of therm, and yes, that’s certainly the look she seems to be going for. Interesting stuff. Always good to learn something new.
I saw a TV programme a while ago doing a tour of Asakusa, and apparently there are a few geisha still working in the area. Not far from the main tourist area. Never seen any though.
winnie says
This picture is so cool and interesting!!
The soft pink(Look like pink to me)beautiful flowers on top of the two row of shops make her even more outstanding!!
Lee says
Thanks, Winnie.
Yes, they are all set for spring in Asakusa, hence the pink flowers. Good timing, as like you say, they add something extra to the photo.
Sueli says
Lee, do you think “she” could be a man..?
Lee says
That’s something I hadn’t even thought of to be honest! Took another photo of her/him fairly close up, and after giving it a good look, I’m pretty sure it’s a woman. Not 100% sure though!
Ed says
This exactly what my first thought was.
Lee says
Definitely seems to be the general consensus. I now have no confidence at all that it’s a woman!
Ken C says
I thought the same regarding gender! It may explain some of the funny looks
Lee says
That’s funny. The thought really hadn’t occurred to me. But for you both to say it, I now have my own doubts. Like I mentioned above though, I took a look at the other photo I have, and I still thinks it’s a woman.
Probably!
Jordy Meow says
I’ve heart that there are actually geishas in Asakusa. Not sure how it works, but they are real ones, and crazily expensive. I am not sure we would see them walking in the middle of those shops though 🙂
Lee says
Yeah, there are few there by all accounts. There’s an area not far from the main tourist area where they tend to work. Definitely not plying their trade amidst all the day trippers that’s for sure!
Siobhan Marchetti says
I’ve studied and read a lot about geisha and oiran. I could be mistaken, but, from what I’ve read, I think the difference is how she ties her obi. If it’s in the front, she’s most likely an oiran. If she ties it in the back, she’s most likely a geisha. There are different theories on why oiran tie the obi in the front, some of them not so flattering. Oiran were the geisha’s predecessor and were a sort of combination actress and prostitute while geisha focused more on non-sexual entertainment. And the oiran do have such elaborate processions! They also have a much more elaborate way of dressing and decorating their hair. Both oiran and geisha have always been expensive, though. It’s a shame that both are dying arts. I wish I could see a geisha or an oiran in person. I’ve always been fascinated by the “flower and willow world”.
I apologize if all this sounds didactic; it’s one of my favorite subjects. And it’s such a lovely picture, Lee! Thank you for sharing!
Lee says
Not at all. It’s interesting to get more details. Up until posting this photograph, I was unaware of orian, so I’ve managed to learn quite a bit.
It’s certainly a fascinating topic. Such a secretive world too. I’ve seen a couple of geisha and maiko in Kyoto, but amidst the crowds of camera toting tourists (myself included), quite a bit of their mystique is sadly lost.
Theresa says
My first thought was that this is a man. It is the thick neck that gives me that impression.
Lee says
I was sure it was a woman, but now I’m really not so sure. In fact I think I’m in he minority!
Carrie Ann says
My first thought was she is a he as well. The thick neck and large feet are what gave me that impression. Still beautifully attired either way.
Lee says
I think that pretty much makes it official. It’s a man!
Josee says
I think she resembles a Chinese ghost bride more than a geisha!
http://www.wired.com/table_of_malcontents/2007/06/the_trade_of_ch/
Lee says
I have never heard of them before. Very interesting. And yes, there’s definitely a resemblance there.
bernil says
definitely a dude, check out the adam’s apple 🙂
Valerie says
Hi Lee,
I’ve just discovered your blog by looking for pictures of Asakusa.
No doubt this “geisha†is a “heâ€.
And, there is no doubt that this “he†is dressed up as an “oiranâ€.
Oiran were prostitutes of high rank who became especially famous during Edo period. You can also find the term “tayû†which is actually the higher rank for a prostitute. Taiyû not only were prostitutes but also entertainers (singers, dancers), beneficiated a special type of education, and some could escape their fate of the red-lantern districts (the Japanese term may be “yûkaku, but I’m not one hundred percent sure) by becoming famous thanks to their talents.
Geishan oiran, kabuki actors were part of enclosed districts, more generally called “hanamachi†(flower districts), to prevent prostitution to spread around the population (a willpower from Ieyasu Tokugawa government, if I remember), all these activities driving “pleasure activitiesâ€. The name hanamachi still remains nowadays but only to depict geisha areas (geisha activities naturally developed in these flower districts, but after oiran activity took it its place).
The oiran culture doesn’t exist anymore, of course. I think it disappeared after 1920’s. Japan laws anyway forbade prostitution in 1956.
The “oiran parade†Julie is referring to is a festival held closed to Asakusa.
Of course, there are still geisha in Tokyo (I think there are five areas), but it is difficult to see them, except during some specific festivals. They work in tea houses (o’chaya) and traditional Japanese food restaurants (ryôtei), located in these specific areas. And when working outside of their area, they take the taxi, which explains why we barely see some nowadays in Tokyo.
Geisha and oiran mustn’t be mistaken. They were certainly not doing the same type of work. The difference in their clothes is not only in the way to knot the obi but also the type of kimono they wore; oirans’ kimono were of splendid and vibrant colours and with highly elaborated embroideries. Their geta also were different; as you can see on your picture, oiran geta are high-plateform black lacquered geta, composed of a board and three supporting pieces under the board called “ha†(teeth). The obi was tied on the front… I’ll let it up to your imagination, guys!
I hope geisha culture will be kept alive not only in Kyoto though. And even if there are a lot of photographers in Kyoto waiting for them, I don’t mind until by remaining an attraction, they drain customers and keep this beautiful culture alive.
I am actually, for some unknown reason, very interested into the hanamachi culture. I have learnt some, but I need to start a real study about it.
Sorry for having been so long in my explanations, but I thought this picture needed some clarifications for your readers.
Sorry also for looking too literate and maybe a bit annoying with this long comment, but I love to share about this hanamachi culture which fascinates me, and would love to talk about it more and more.
Cheers,
Valérie
PS : I probably made some mistakes with my English but it’s not my mother-tongue.
MaoMao says
That is a young man. A real geisha would never stride out with so large steps and lean backwards sticking her chest out that way. Also the neck is far too strong, shoulders to broad and girl, where the hell did you loose your socks? Clothes is not authentic either. The reason why the people are looking is because this is a man, no doubt to Japanese people. See the man with grey hair in the image center, turning around? He is laughing, because to Japanese people that is clear it is a man in drag. Go to Kyoto, you can see some real geisha and maiko on the street, you will soon understand the difference between how a woman in that dress code looks like, even the “not-real geisha” for tourists look different.