geishaology

[Student Post]

Hi, I’m Zen. Today I will be talking about Kimono. Geisha wear different types of Kimono depending on the occasion, formal or casual. They also have a lot of kimono with seasonal designs, and choose which one to wear depending on the time of the year. Let’s look at different types of Kimono.

1. Furisode

Furisode is a type of formal Kimono and is worn by unmarried women. They have a unique characteristic, which is that they have long sleeves that are about 1 meter long. Women in “Seijinshiki”, or the “Coming of Age ceremony” wear Furisode.

2. Hikizuri

Hikizuri means, “trailing skirt”, and is called by this name since it is long. Rich women wore Hikizuri back in the Meiji era. It is rare to encounter women wearing this type of Kimono these days, but have a high chance to meet if you are visiting Kyoto or Asakusa (Tokyo). Hikizuri is worn a lot by Geisha, Maiko, or entertainers.

3. Tomesode

Tomesode is another formal kimono, which is worn by married women. The beautiful design of the Tomesode is always designed below the waist. Women wear Tomesode in formal events and ceremonies such as the wedding, or tea ceremonies.

4. Houmongi

Houmongi is worn by both married and unmarried women, and is a type of semi-formal Kimono. The beautiful patterns are designed all over the Kimono which is attractive.

5. Komon

Komon is a casual Kimono wear and is not suitable for formal occasions. The design on this Kimono is very repetitive and pretty. Women wear this type of Kimono around town or for a little walk.

6. Yukata

Yukata is one of the most famous types of Kimono that is worn during hot days of summer. People wear this type of Kimono for “Omatsuri”, meaning festivals. Women wear Geta, wooden shoes and tie the Obi in a simple manner.

These were some of the Kimonos that women wear and Geisha wear sometimes. There are Geisha makeovers in Japan so when you visit here you may want to try this very unique but beautiful opportunity!

[Student Post]

Hi, I’m Riko. Today I will be talking about Kimono. Geisha wear different types of Kimono depending on the occasion, formal or casual. They also have a lot of kimono with seasonal designs, and choose which one to wear depending on the time of the year. Let’s look at different types of Kimono.

1. Furisode

Furisode is a type of formal Kimono and is worn by unmarried women. They have a unique characteristic, which is that they have long sleeves that are about 1 meter long. Women in “Seijinshiki”, or the “Coming of Age ceremony” wear Furisode.

2. Hikizuri

Hikizuri means, “trailing skirt”, and is called by this name since it is long. Rich women wore Hikizuri back in the Meiji era. It is rare to encounter women wearing this type of Kimono these days, but have a high chance to meet if you are visiting Kyoto or Asakusa (Tokyo). Hikizuri is worn a lot by Geisha, Maiko, or entertainers.

3. Tomesode

Tomesode is another formal kimono, which is worn by married women. The beautiful design of the Tomesode is always designed below the waist. Women wear Tomesode in formal events and ceremonies such as the wedding, or tea ceremonies.

4. Houmongi

Houmongi is worn by both married and unmarried women, and is a type of semi-formal Kimono. The beautiful patterns are designed all over the Kimono which is attractive.

5. Komon

Komon is a casual Kimono wear and is not suitable for formal occasions. The design on this Kimono is very repetitive and pretty. Women wear this type of Kimono around town or for a little walk.

6. Yukata

Yukata is one of the most famous types of Kimono that is worn during hot days of summer. People wear this type of Kimono for “Omatsuri”, meaning festivals. Women wear Geta, wooden shoes and tie the Obi in a simple manner.

These were some of the Kimonos that women wear and Geisha wear sometimes. There are Geisha makeovers in Japan so when you visit here you may want to try this very unique but beautiful opportunity!

[student post]

Hello, my name is Zen.

Today I will be translating some hauta and kouta from traditional japanese to english. It may not be perfect but I tried my best. Traditional japanese literature is really hard. Geishas have to learn, understand and memorize them before performing infront of customers. I have high respects for geishas.

1. 雨の浅草　Ame no Asakusa

雨の浅草 灯が滲む 墨絵のような弁天山の ふもとを抜けるもあい傘 いつも焦がらしてきたものの 今夜は素直な貴方の胸に 甘えてみたい 思い切り

It is raining in Asakusa. The street light blurred the sky, we share an umbrella as we pass the foot of the Bentenyama. Even though I’m always teasing, but today I want to forget about everything and lie on your chest docilely.

2. 雨の降る夜【本調子】ame no furu yoru

雨の降る夜は、只しんと、心淋しき閨の内、はかなき恋の遣瀬なや、ほんに浮世は儘ならぬ、思ひ焦がれて更け渡る、ヱヽ憎らしい女夫がり、うつらと夜を明かす。

On a rainy night, her heart is nothing but a lonely feeling in the lonely room. The pain in this world will not end. The married woman resents, her tiredness reveal the night.

3. 雨の夜雪や【本調子】Ame no yasetsuya

雨の夜、雪や風の夜も、通ひ比べに負けまじと、船に行く身の小夜嵐、土堤の寒さに凍えても、君の姿を幻影に。

It doesn’t matter if it is a rainy night, or a snowy night, or a chilly night, I will not give up the road. No matter how hard the ship struggles in the storm, even when the ground is freezing cold, imagining your silhouette motivates me to move forward.

4.雨の夜【本調子】ame no yoru

雨の夜も、また雪の夜も何んのその、恋の闇路を唯一人、思ひは積る九十九夜、通ふ心を察さんせ。

On a rainy night, or a snowy night, I am the only person in the darkness road of love, day by day until ninety nine nights, I observe my heart.

5.あめやかぜ Ame ya kaze

雨や大風が吹くのに 傘(からかさ)がさせますかいな 雨や大風が吹くのに 傘がさせますかいな はい骨が折れまする

When it rains or when the wind blows strongly, try not to use the umbrella because if we force it the wind will destroy the umbrella and do no justice. Just like when we reach stages in our lives which could be hard times, we should bare with it using our own powers and the sun will eventually comes out.

6. あの花 Anohana

あの花が咲いたそうだが浦山しさっと 雨もつその時は わしも後から咲くわいな

That flower that seems to be blooming soon, but it is hidden behind the mountains, poured by the rain, when will it ever bloom and seen?

7. あのや児雷也【二上リ】Anoyajiraiya

あのや児雷也さんが、綾女を嫌ふ、うちのたがねに恋慕する、それから綾女が嫉妬して蛇へび。

Mr. Jiraya, a ninja from the Meiji period, disliked Ayame and fell in love with the “chisel” of our house. Ayame was jealous and became vicious like a snake.

[Student Post]

Hello, this is Riko. In the last two classes, we watched the popular geisha movie “Memoirs of a Geisha” The book was first released in 1997 by Auther Green, then in 2005 the movie version came out.

It was definitely an interesting movie, especially many of those who do not know anything about Geisha but are interested in it.

The movie is about a story of a young poor girl who was sold by her parents to the geisha house and grew up to become one of the most popular geishas. She had gone through many challenges and difficulties to become a geisha, and it was not an easy road.

The movie captured the life of a maiko (geisha trainee) and geishas in the geisha house, as well as the lavish living of the rich who involved greatly in geishas’s lives. Although the story do portray some true facts about geishas, there were many misunderstandings and errors that we found and discussed in class.

First, the costumes. The kimono worn by the actresses were not exactly correct. Geishas do not wear loose or messy kimonos like how Hatsumomo wore her kimonos. Geisha usually have their kimono worn properly before heading out, or when they are at home, they wear casual yukata.

(Incorrect)                                                                                    (Correct)

Second, the hairstyles. Geishas and maikos usually have specific hairstyle such as the momoware or taka shimada. Geishas never let their hair down in public nor have flamboyant hairstyles.

(Incorrect)                                                                           (Correct)

Third, the dance that Sayuri performed, also known as the “snow dance”. Geishas usually perform traditional dances in a banquet accompanied by instruments like the shamisen. Sometimes, geishas perform dances in events or matsuri but not like such dramatic dance moves. Geishas dance with some props like their fans or scarf. Geishas do not dance with the high geta, and again, not with the hair hang loose.

(Incorrect)                                                                (Correct)

Fourth, the story. Although it is a non-fiction, this movie gave a wrong impression of Geisha to people who do not understand it. For instance, geisha’s whole life do not only linger around men. Geisha is a job and they do many other things too such as learning musical instruments and dances.

These are a few mistakes that we think existed. The director should have hired a professional geisha consultant to make sure the accuracy of the japanese culture.

Thats all for today.

[Student Post]

Hi I’m Riko. Today I will be talking about Kouta and the meaning of the lyrics of some Kouta.

Kouta means “little song” in Japanese, and it is a short song sung in less than one minute. Shamisen is often used when Kouta is sang to lead the vocalist. Geisha is required to learn Kouta. During the training period, Geisha learn music and how to perform them in front of the customer. To perform the Kouta, Geisha needs to learn the concept of “Iroke”. This term is abstract, hence hard to translate into English. “Iro” means colour and “Ke” means feelings in Japanese. Therefore, it is close to the word “Eroticism”. Some examples of Iroke is adding some essence of red in the kimono of the Geisha, or playing the Shamisen with the finger, not the plectrum.

Kouta generally expresses a natural scene or evoke human emotion. Other Japanese traditional poetry like Haiku, Waka, Tanka follows these patterns. Kouta also uses a lot of “Kakekotoba” which means pivot words, to express two different ideas in the same scene. This makes the Kouta interesting, unique and fun to listen to.

「青々と」

青々と いつも松葉の二人連れ 末も栄えて高砂の 変わらぬ色や 春の風

Green life Pine needles always brings two people together The end also continues in Takasago Unchanging color and the spring breeze

This is a Kouta titled “Ao Ao to” It is portraying how two people are not changing although long time has passed; and this scene is compared to the green Pine needles which has been keeping its colour and healthiness for a long time.

あら玉【本調子】

新玉の、年の始に筆とりて、千代と書き初め主の名を、思ひ参らせ候かしこ。さアさよい／＼よいわいな。

As a brush at the beginning of the year of the New Year, I will write down the name of the Chiyo and the beginning of the Lord, thinking of it. Good / something good.

[Student Post]

Hello, this is Zen. In the last two classes, we watched the popular geisha movie “Memoirs of a Geisha” The book was first released in 1997 by Auther Green, then in 2005 the movie version came out.

It was definitely an interesting movie, especially many of those who do not know anything about Geisha but are interested in it.

The movie is about a story of a young poor girl who was sold by her parents to the geisha house and grew up to become one of the most popular geishas. She had gone through many challenges and difficulties to become a geisha, and it was not an easy road.

The movie captured the life of a maiko (geisha trainee) and geishas in the geisha house, as well as the lavish living of the rich who involved greatly in geishas’s lives. Although the story do portray some true facts about geishas, there were many misunderstandings and errors that we found and discussed in class.

First, the costumes. The kimono worn by the actresses were not exactly correct. Geishas do not wear loose or messy kimonos like how Hatsumomo wore her kimonos. Geisha usually have their kimono worn properly before heading out, or when they are at home, they wear casual yukata.

(Incorrect)                                                                                    (Correct)

Second, the hairstyles. Geishas and maikos usually have specific hairstyle such as the momoware or taka shimada. Geishas never let their hair down in public nor have flamboyant hairstyles.

(Incorrect)                                                                           (Correct)

Third, the dance that Sayuri performed, also known as the “snow dance”. Geishas usually perform traditional dances in a banquet accompanied by instruments like the shamisen. Sometimes, geishas perform dances in events or matsuri but not like such dramatic dance moves. Geishas dance with some props like their fans or scarf. Geishas do not dance with the high geta, and again, not with the hair hang loose.

(Incorrect)                                                                (Correct)

Fourth, the story. Although it is a non-fiction, this movie gave a wrong impression of Geisha to people who do not understand it. For instance, geisha’s whole life do not only linger around men. Geisha is a job and they do many other things too such as learning musical instruments and dances.

These are a few mistakes that we think existed. The director should have hired a professional geisha consultant to make sure the accuracy of the japanese culture.

Thats all for today.