This is a Press photo from 1937 that has been trimmed down from a larger photograph sometime during its life. On the back is typed the following: “Tattoo / Tattooing. Because they believe that tattooing makes them beautiful many Japanese women endure the painful process without an opiate. They spend hundreds of dollars in this manner." Roto 9/26/37.
From an earlier newspaper article using another image from the same photo-shoot: “Deft coloration of their bodies with symbolic figures is considered by some Japanese women as an addition to their beauty, and they undergo painful applications of pigment despite the fact the practice is disapproved by authorities…” July 4 – 1937 Roto.
Kimino Chiyo, Makoto-san (luv Mayuha), and 84 other people added this photo to their favorites.
Rishasoul 35 months ago | reply
Wow.
Kimino Chiyo 35 months ago | reply
Amazing. This woman is a geisha or just a normal woman? it is really impressive.
Blue Ruin1 35 months ago | reply
I'm not sure whether or not she is a Geisha, her hairstyle suggests that she might be a Geiko, but her kimono looks a bit too flowery.
Makoto-san (luv Mayuha) 35 months ago | reply
She may or not be a geisha, but she looks more like a merchant wife. Her hairdo is Marumage, worn not only by geishas but mature women in that time.
The photo is beautiful and quite inusual. Faved that. : )
fuyou-hime 35 months ago | reply
Wow, what an incredible photograph!
The marumage was most commonly worn by married women. By 1937, the geisha image had been pretty well defined and was very close to what it is now, so I think it would be rather unusual to find a geisha during this time that still styled her hair this way...
Blue Ruin1 35 months ago | reply
This image www.flickr.com/photos/24726287@N06/4243469904/ appears to show the same Tattoo Artist and Model, it must have been part of the same photo shoot.
Ayilana 34 months ago | reply
OUCH. lol But, I guess she should be admired for her courage! And yeah, I doubt she's a geisha - plus, I'm not sure geisha were allowed to do tattoos like this!
André Nirronda 30 months ago | reply
amazing!!
yuki_willy_v 29 months ago | reply
I don't see how she could be a geisha because, usually, only yakuza members or low ranking prostitutes [edo era] got them. This is why those with tattoos are not allowed in both bath houses & hotels. Any respectable lady or gentlemen would not even consider getting a tattoo, I believe [at least back in the day].
Ayilana 29 months ago | reply
ontoshiki 23 months ago | reply
amazing! thanks for sharing these people vintage photos of geikos and maikos. ive always been fascinated and will be going to kyoto again for the fourth time next month. hope to capture some maikos at gion ;)
fuyou-hime 23 months ago | reply
You should also consider some of the geisha districts other than Gion Kobu. Miyagawacho is actually a really nice location for getting photos of maiko and geiko, the setting is lovely. Gion Kobu tends to be overly crowded with tourists and cars, it kind of kills the environment. The best time to get pictures of them going to work is between 6-7PM.
matt kk 4 months ago | reply
wow