おめでとう 菊つるさん \(^o^)/

Congratulations to Kyoto's newest geiko, Kikutsuru!

Plum Rain

Takahiro, a maiko in her second year of service in the Gion Kobu district of Kyoto, enjoying the cherry blossoms along the Shirakawa stream from beneath her oiled paper umbrella.

It's been raining all day. Not like an Irish style 'soft' rain, a full on, harcore, plum rain. I'm not complaining, in fact, I quite like it. I'm just trying to keep everyone updated (and use it as an excuse to post this image). (^-^)

Last Day at Kindergarten

Yuuta, Takumi and Haruka, just a few of super cute kids of Ena.

The first in a long line of lasts, I suppose. It wouldn't be so sad if they weren't so cute!

Postcards From Ena

Freshly planted rice rice fields in the shadow of Kasagi mountain as the sun sinks beneath the smokey blue hills.

It didn't take me long to learn that my lens and I were less than capable of capturing the beauty of landscapes, and so for the past three years, I've smiled over sunsets reflected in flooded rice fields and tides of blue mountains fading into evening, content to be blessed with the privledge. With less than two months to go and the nagging suspicion that there's a very fortunate pre-JET out there searching for info on this mysterious "city", I decided to take my camera along with me for one of my "walks in the rice fields". Yokoso, Ena! Welcome to Ena!

Disclaimer: Actual objects are a million times more beautiful that they appear, especially when complimented by the soundtrack of cicads, choruses of croaking frogs, the steady giggle of running water and the appearance of an occasional fire fly.
One of many traditional houses, surrounded by flooded rice fields.
The Nishio Minshuku, a traditional Japanese bed and breakfast nestled at the foot of the mountains.
A view of the rice fields from the top of a hill behind my apartment.

Johnny Depp Meets Japan's Elementary Students!

The Two Things I Love the Most: Johnny Depp and Ridiculously Cute Japanese Kids!

Japan Intervie - More free videos are here

I watched these as soon as I woke up this morning, and they made my day! The first one is a clip of Johnny Depp being interviewed by two kids from a international school in Gunma Prefecture during his Pirates 2 Promotion.

The second is from his recent visit to Japan to promote Pirates 3. PLEASE watch them! AS Johnny says, he"ll never forget this as long as he lives. "It's one of the most beautiful, poetic, strange and haunting things I've ever seen in my life." Welcome to Japan, Johnny. Welcome to Japan.





Did I mention I love Johnny Depp? LOVE him!

Kamogawa Odori: Finale

Hisacho

Ichikiku

Hisacho

Ichiemi

Kamogawa Odori: Travel Along the Tokaido III

Ichikyo strikes a lovely pose so characteristic of Pontocho geiko's style of dance.

Having fled the villians, the geiko arrive at Oi River, made famous in folk songs for its high waters. They are met by the mistresses of an Inn, who, desperate for buisness, try to persuade them to rest. Only 200 km from Edo, the geiko are forced to lodge for the night by the impassibly high rivers caused by the recent rain.

Another beautiful example of the fluid, feminine movements of Ponotcho's style of dance.

As they prepare to take rest in an Inn, an express messenger arrives with a message for them.

The geiko of Pontocho have been eagerly awaiting their return, and unless they turn back immediately, they will miss Kamogawa Odori!

Kamogawa Odori: Trouble on the Tokaido

The leader of the pack.

Rain begins to fall as they reach Tsuchiyama (southeastern Shiga). Ariving at a difficult pass through the Suzuka mountains, they find a young girl who appears to be crying. Kind hearted geiko that they are, they try to comfort her, but she shyly turns away. When they finally decide to move on, the girl stops them, calling for her companions-- A gang of bandits! The bandits refuse to let them pass, ordering them to dance. Isin't it just like a geiko to get out of a jam with her dance?

Geiko on the left: "Oh no!"

Geiko on the right: "Bring it on!"

Here's the plan....

Yossh! Let's go!

Kamogawa Odori: Travel Along the Tokaido II

The Otsu Painting

Hisano, now the second highest ranking maiko in Pontocho, dances with the official flower of Kamogawa Odori: Wisteria.

The town of Otsu (Omi Province, now Shiga Prefecture), is famous for a painting of wisteria maidens that comes to life as the traveling geiko reach the first stop on their way to Edo.

The geiko Aya steps out of the painting to perfrom the dance of the wisteria maidens with Hisacho and Ichimame.

Aya

Ichikyo and Hisamari


Always elegant, graceful and statuesque: Hisano.


Ichimame of Pontocho is the highest ranking maiko in her district.

Kamogawa Odori: Travel Along the Tokaido

Shinahide, a geiko from the Pontocho district of Kyoto, with young Ichitomi in the background.

After hearing that Hisamari, my favorite Pontocho maiko, had decided to end her service, I was rather disappointed. She danced so beautifully last year, I barely remember anything else. This year's Kamogawa Odori, however, was probably one of the best performances I have seen in the past three years! Even Ichimame, the famous blogging maiko of Kamishichiken, was impressed, writing in her blog:

"この間、先斗町さんの鴨川をどりを観に寄せてもらいました。二部の「道中双六」がとても印象的どした。と言うのは、今までにいろんな所のをどりを観に寄せてもうたのどすけど、今までに見たことのない演出でとても面白かったどす。とてもいいお勉強になりました。"

The other day I had was able to see Pontocho's Kamogawa Odori. The second part, "Travel Along the Tokaido", was very impressive. That is to say, until now I have had the chance to see many places' dances, but this one was very interesting and amusing. I learned a lot.

As in Kamishichiken's Kitano Odori, the Kamogawa Odori is presented in two parts. The first half is dedicated to performing a theatrical peice in many scenes, with emphasis on the acting skills of the geiko, while the second half is reserved for showcasing various dances independent of one another. This year, the geiko of Pontocho, inspired by the series of comical books about travel on the Tokaido written in the early 19th century, depicted the journey of two geiko traveling the Tokaido Highway, the road that once connected the then capital of Kyoto to Edo (present day Tokyo).

Seen off by the maiko and geiko of Pontocho, the two geiko started their trip from the Sanjo Bridge, bound for Tokyo.


Shinatomi, ready to go.


Ichiko is ready to go!


Ichimame leads the maiko of Pontocho in a farewell dance.