Asian Love

Yamanohananosan Takasago.    Early 20th century Japanese postcard

Kimono are a one-size-fits-all clothing item, so all maiko and geiko in an okiya can wear kimono that are appropriate for their rank. Usually a maiko or geiko will wear the same kimono for up to 5 days in a row (the obi will usually be changed every 2-4 days) and then switch off to a new outfit. Traditionally in Japan there are 72 seasons and the outfits of maiko and geiko are meant to show these subtle changes. In any given career (assuming she completes her apprenticeship) a maiko can wear an expected 40-50 different kimono.

“Meiji empress and court ladies viewing the moon” (1890), Toyohara Kunichika (1835-1900)

Festival Smiles

Unpatterned all-black kimono are mofuku (mourning items), and pretty easy to find second hand in Japan as they are often worn only once / or are dead (ha!) stock. Seeing them repurposed for DIY projects is not unsual :)

Kayo and Chiyo 1870s by Blue Ruin 1 Via Flickr: Kayo (on the right) and Chiyo (on the left) were two famous geiko (geisha) from the Gion district of Kyoto. In the 1870s Gion was still one large sprawling district. By 1886, it was split by the prefectural government into Gion Kobu and Gion Higashi.

Women collecting seaweed, 1910/20s Photographer unknown

Young Geisha with Insect Cage 1910s.  A hangyoku (young geisha) holding a beautifully crafted insect cage in the shape of a yakatabune (roofed pleasure-boat), with an uchiwa (round fan) tucked into her obi (sash).  Text and image via Blue Ruin 1 on Flickr

Sanada no Yoichi and Ichikawa Sumiemon

Titled "New Fuji in Meguro" (Meguro Shin Fuji), this design showcases Hiroshige's revolutionary mastery of forced perspective and seasonal contrast. It frames a man-made replica of Mount Fuji—constructed in 1829 on the estate of a shogunal retainer in the Meguro district—against the majestic, distant reality of the sacred volcano itself.

Feathered Snow, Shoen Uemura, 1944. Collection: Yamatane Museum of Art.

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Artist: Torii Kotondo Title: Morning Hair (Asanegami) Date: 1930–1931 Medium: Color woodblock print Credit Line: Mary and Earle Ludgin Collection