Hauta Kouta Translation

[Student Post]

Hello it’s Rumi, and this will be my last post here. It’s been a pleasure learning about the secret world of Geisha, and sharing the things I discovered with everybody here. It’s a bittersweet farewell, so I’d like to part ways with everyone with some translations of Hauta Kouta which are just as sentimental.

These are rough translations and explanations of  each piece. I put in a lot of effort to be able to keep the essence and emotion from the original piece. I hope that none of it got lost in translation, and that it pulls at your heartstrings just as it did to mine. Enjoy!


 

Ago de shirasete 顎でしらせて

あごで知らせて 目でうけて

必ずやいのと 約束したを

今において いまをもって 首尾も場合もないことか

ええ ままならぬ

ままならぬこそ 浮世 世の中じゃ 娑婆世界

TRANSLATION:

You told me with your chin.

I accept with my eyes.

We’ve promised for sure

But now it’s neither a success nor a case

Ah, so unpredictable (beyond my control)

The world just does not work as I wish

In the world of idleness

 

Ai mite no 逢ひ見ての

逢い見ての 後の心のくらぶれば

思いぞまさる昨日今日

いっそ他人であったなら

こんな苦労はあるまいに 焦がれ死ねとか出雲の神は

ほんとに仇やら情けやら

TRANSLATION:

When I think of my heart after seeing you

My feeling gets stronger day by day

If only you were a stranger

I wouldn’t have such a hard time

To pine (love), to die; the Izumo gods tell

Are they evil or merciful

 

Aitai yamai 逢いたい病

逢いたい病がつのりすごして どうにもならぬ

人に意見をいってみるほど 気楽な身分に なれぬものかいな

TRANSLATION:

The pain of longing grows stronger and stronger. I cannot bear it anymore.

I wonder if telling my feelings would ease my mind.

 

Aitasani あひたさに

逢いたさに来てみれば

酔うてそのまま 寝てしまい

後は泣くやらじれるやら

愚痴を並べて ままよままよ

今夜も 明日も 飲み明かす 茶碗酒

Translation:

I missed you so I came for you

But I got drunk and fell asleep

After that is crying and agonizing

Make complaints and let them go

A cup with sake that I’ll drink all night and tomorrow too.

 

Akete medetaki 明けてめでたき

明けてめでたき まゆ玉に 宝づくしの。

ん かずかずを。

結ぶ縁の神々へ 2人そろうて 初詣り

TRANSLATION:

It is a treasure trove of a heartbreak and a heartbrow.

Wordspan.

They met and went for the first shrine visit of the year to meet the gods of intertwined fate.


 

Have a wonderful time for the rest of the year!

Posted in Fall 2018 Facebook Team, Geisha and Music - Kouta, Geisha in literature, Ko-Uta | 196 Comments

Types of kimonos geishas wear

[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.

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  1. 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.

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  1. 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.

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  1. 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.

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  1. 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.

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  1. 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.

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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!

Posted in Term Syllabus | 3 Comments

Geisha Kimono

[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.

 

  1. 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.

 

  1. 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.

 

  1. 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.

 

  1. 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.

 

  1. 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!

Posted in Term Syllabus | 3 Comments

hauta and kouta homework (ZEN)

[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.

 

 

 

Posted in Term Syllabus | 1 Comment

The Maiko Stage

[Student Post] – Maiko Stages

Once a trainee has completed training, they debut as a “Maiko,” or an apprentice Geisha. A Maiko must also find an older Geisha to become their Geisha mother. A ceremony called “Misedashi” is held to celebrate the Maiko’s debut, which is one of the most important things that will occur during a Maiko and Geisha’s life. It is a very special ceremony in which the debuting Maiko dresses very formally. During this ceremony, banners and fans with the newly debuted Maiko’s name on it are given to loyal patrons and hanamachi members. The Maiko also partakes in a ritual called “san san kudo”, which is when the Maiko takes three sips of sake, which bind them to their Geisha mother. The next stage of a Maiko’s life is called “Minarai,” which is when the Geisha mother takes a Maiko to “ozashiki” or banquets in order to have the Maiko go to observe. The Maiko stays in this stage for about five years while still continuing studying the Geisha arts. Another stage called “Mizuage” is when a Maiko sells her virginity to a client, but, it is no longer practiced to this day. However, this old tradition has contributed to the misconception of Geisha and Maiko being prostitutes. The final moments of being a Maiko is the formal ceremony, “Erikae,” that is held when the Maiko finally gains enough experience in the working field and graduates from being a Maiko and continues on to become a full-fledged Geisha. This ceremony is also one of the most important events that occur during a Maiko and Geisha’s life. After working for many years as a Geisha, a Geisha may choose to retire. This ceremony is called “hiki-iwai.” Those who go through that ceremony may chose to completely leave the industry, or they can become the owner of a teahouse and mentor new trainees, Maiko, and Geisha.

Posted in Fall 2018 Instagram/Linkedin Team | 5 Comments

Shikomi – The Trainee Days

[Student Post]

Becoming a Geisha is no easy task. Before one can become a Geisha, one must go through lots of intense training which can span for years. And even after a trainee completes training, they will debut as a Maiko first and have to gain years of experience first before even becoming a full-fledged Geisha. The first stage of becoming a Geisha is the trainee stage, or shikomi. Young girls as young as around fifteen years old begin their training by living at a Geisha house, or an okiya.

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They must cut almost all contact from all of their friends and family members as they undergo training. In this stage, a trainee must do many chores such as errands and cleaning around the okiya to assist the older Maiko and Geisha who also live there. A trainee is expected to wear a kimono everyday in order for them to get used to moving around in it, since it is a very difficult type of clothing to get used to being in, and becoming a Geisha or Maiko requires one to be able to move with grace in a kimono. During training, a trainee must take various lessons to build up the skills required to become a Geisha or Maiko. Some of the lessons that they take include dancing, learning various traditional Japanese instruments, makeup, and classic Japanese etiquette.

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Each aspect of the training requires a lot of practice, especially since a Geisha or Maiko are expected to be near perfect in their performance. Near the end of the training, an exam is held to see if a trainee is fit to become a Maiko. The training process is very difficult and can even last for a few years, so there are lots of people who give up and quit before completing their training, which is one of the reasons why the numbers of Geisha and trainees have decreased drastically over the years. However, the ones who persevere through the training usually result in becoming very skilled artists.

Posted in Fall 2018 Instagram/Linkedin Team | 1 Comment

Memoirs of the Geisha – facts revealed

[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.

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(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.

geisha21 Fukagawa Geisha Taematsu _9073FB

(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.

image 8iCICby5_5231280683829773b02b

(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.

memoirs-of-a-geisha_

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.

Posted in Term Syllabus | 17 Comments

Kouta

[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.

 

 

Posted in Term Syllabus | 2 Comments

Memoirs of the Geisha- facts reveiled

[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.

affd0f7c4df1cff97626b1f5df26393bmodel

(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.

geisha21 Fukagawa Geisha Taematsu _9073FB

(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.

image 8iCICby5_5231280683829773b02b

(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.

memoirs-of-a-geisha_

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.

Posted in Term Syllabus | 5 Comments

Setsubun no Hi with Geisha !

[Student Post]

Hey everyone! Rumi here. Can you believe that half a month has already passed since we entered 2019? Time sure flies fast; next thing you know, springtime will be gracing Japan once again. Before you start planning your hanami picnics and grabbing your friends and family to photograph cherry blossoms, let me guide you through one special event celebrated a day before spring rolls in.

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To officially mark the start of spring, a traditional event called Setsubun no Hi (節分の日) is celebrated yearly on February 3. Although it is not considered as a national holiday, it is still widely celebrated across Japan. Many folks, from children to adults, enjoy celebrating this event. The practice of mame-maki (bean-throwing) is a ritual done to ward off evil spirits or drive away bad luck, and welcome in good fortune. People practice throwing beans around their house, at temples and shrines; but an even more familiar practice is throwing it at an ‘oni’ (devil) which is a person dressed as an oni or wearing an oni mask.

So how do geisha fit into this event? In certain parts of the country and in select shrines, maiko and geisha are invited to perform and throw the beans. In Yasaka shrine in Kyoto, maiko from different geisha districts perform a dance, and at the end of it they throw lucky beans to the spectators. Such an event, which is open to the public, draws crowds curious to see a performing geisha or maiko. In that day it is much easier to spot geisha and maiko walking around the streets of Gion.

photo creds to Manuela Zangara

photo creds to Manuela Zangara

In Tokyo, hangyoku are invited to participate in mame-gaki (bean-throwing) too. For example in Kagurazaka’s Bishamonten Zenkokuji Temple, a handful of geisha are often invited to participate in mame-gaki. Geisha are also invited in Asakusa, alongside famous celebrities, sumo wrestlers, and so on.

geiko groups in kanazawa during setsubun

One more interesting aspect on this day is that in banquets, geisha dress up differently than usual and perform a different kind of entertainment just for setsubun. They would either cross-dress, dress as historical characters, don various costumes, and so on. They get very creative to present a special performance only done on this day.

geisha dressed as european historical figures

geisha/maiko in maid costume performing a dance

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geisha/maiko “light and shadow”

We hope you look forward to this event and are lucky enough to see a geisha or maiko on this day!

Posted in Dance, Fall 2018 Facebook Team, Fall 2018 Other, Fall 2018 Social Media Teams, Geisha and the seasons in Japanese culture, Geisha Events, Geisha in Society, Hangyoku | 2 Comments