May 2021 – Real Geisha Real Women

Life In the flower and willow world

May 18, 2021December 28, 2021

I have always been behind the popular trends on social media such as Facebook, Instagram, and especially blogging. My experiences in The karyukai-“the flower and willow world” were personal and private, and I thought that they should only be shared with people I knew and trusted not with just anyone who had an internet connection Now that I am 50 years old and have had some health problems recently, I have decided it is time to not only share some selected stories that I was fortunate to have over nearly three decades living, working and playing in the various hanamachi communities, but also how I cultivated relationships with people within the districts.

Documentary

Review of Real Geisha Real Women

May 17, 2021November 7, 2021

Read this Review in Kyoto Journal

Review by Lucy Birmingham

Think geisha, and you’re bound to visualize an exotic creature from a languishing willow world with a secretive life hidden behind closed shoji. Films, television and books have perpetuated the geisha myth as temptress meant for pleasure. There has never been a film that unveils these artisans and entertainers as simply modern women — until now. “Real Geisha Real Women,” is a remarkable documentary that opens the shoji for us all, if only for 52-minutes. It allows us a peek into the private lives of 10 active and retired Kyoto geisha (known as geiko in the ancient capital) and maiko (apprentice geisha). Two men who work among them also add their historical and insider perspectives.

Flowers

Matsubara Jasmine, Kyoto

May 17, 2021

Fragrant jasmine is now in bloom. This bush is at the Matsubara bridge on the Kamo River.