Pontocho Maiko : Spring 2008

Kyoto Rewind : April 6, 2008


Ichiemi, now a high ranking maiko in the Pontocho district, greets the mistress of a teahouse during a small cherry blossom festival along the Takase Canal.


Ichiemi looks every bit the stylish, sophisticated young woman in this stunning lavender kimono ensemble. Even her adorably child-like cheeks have thinned out.


Ichiharu


The long, fluttering strands cherry blossoms hanging from Shinaju's hanakanzashi, or flowered hair ornament, testify to her low rank and inexperience as a maiko, appealing instead to her youth and child-like charm. Compare it with Ichiharu's above, who is of a slightly higher rank.

Hisano, now a geiko, and Ichiemi walk beneath the lacey veil of cherry blossoms along the Takase canal as sunlight falls in playful patterns along the pavement.

As if Ichiemi's lavendar kimono wasn't enough. Coupled with this remarkable pastel obi, colored with the sweet, pastel pallet of spring, this ensemble quickly became my favorite this season.

Sasuga Gion: さすが祇園！

Kyoto Rewind: April 1, 2008


Mamemchika strolls past the wooden facades of the machiya (traditional wooden townhouses) that line Gion's well-preserved lanes. It's always so exciting to see her again! She's become such a beautiful geiko. I know it's silly, but I can't help but feel a sort of affection for the girls I've seen blossom from maiko to geiko over the past four years, especially the ones I've had the pleasure of meeting.

After attending the opening day performance of Miyako Odori, we couldn't help but stumble over maiko and geiko on the way to their evening engagements as we strolled through Gion, no doubt en route to Starbucks. Sasuga Gion! (Just what you would expect from Gion).


The young maiko Momiju looked pretty in pink as she fluttered through Pontocho.


She's no maiko, but she looked beautiful in her long-sleeved furisode kimono! Kawaii!


Where there are maiko, their are photographers. (Mameteru)

Maiko + Sakura = (^_^)

Someone looks happy! Clouds of cherry blossoms and a cute young maiko named Ichiharu make for one memorable hanami pre-game festivity... More on that later (^_<)/

Hanagasa Gyoretsu: Pontocho

The maiko Hisano looks calm and composed before joining the geiko of Pontocho in offering a dance to the dieties of Yasaka Shrine.

With a rare view of their own hair pulled back in a sleek, simple pony tale, the geiko of Pontocho ride through Kyoto in a flowered float during the Hanagasa Kyoretsu, the Procession of Flowered Hats.

Dressed as miko, or shrine maidens, Hisano performs "Kabuki Odori" with her fellow geiko.

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.