#nakako

Nakako II

Lonny Chick is one of my favorite Karyukai photographers. He likes to sprinkle in some tidbits on his models and i specially love what he has to report of now retired Nakako. You can see her “on Sake patrol” as he puts it. Off to the side another favorite: Mamekinu of Tama. I’m usually a little hesitant with my praise for Tama’s Maiko, not that they don’t deserve it, on the contrary, they absolutely do as they are hard working and diligent. But i have a soft spot for the underdog and love to feature Geimaiko who don’t usually stand out or get the spotlight all the time. 

Naturally i love writing about Jikata and senior Geiko, the ones who give up the limelight for their younger and flashier sisters, the Maiko, the Tachikata, the beautiful young dancers in gorgeous colorful outfits. And this is why i love the above photo: Nakako is bathed in light  while around her the environment is blurred. Mamekinu, as a very hard working Tama girl, glances to her onesan. She is multitasking, not only conversing with a patron but also registering where she was too slow. Nakako is one step ahead as usual, taking care of all guests while she was dedicated to her conversation. This is where one can see the incredible dynamics of an ozashiki, specially one with such mixed seniority in Geimaiko. For sure a banquet with the likes of Nakako were a great privilege before she retired. 

Luckily we still have the accounts of a great documentary photographer like Lonny Chick to convey this incredibly interesting insight into a floating world.