• camera
  • spare film rolls
  • Handara: short-tied Obi signifying she's a Minarai
  • Those short sleeves and a mini kago bag also signify that she is still a minarai - B.goes.for.Bee

Miyagawachō: Old Maiko Fan & Minarai Fumitama (Kyoto, 29 March 2008)

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My last day in Kyoto before going back to the jungles of Borneo. It was more about capturing the surrounding mood when a Maiko/Geiko passes by. I just couldn't resist admiring the youthful energy of this old man who happen to be around whenever/wherever a Maiko/Geiko event takes place in town. You can see that happiness in his face. A bit poignant...the passing phase of the old Japan....

the girl on the right is a Minarai, a one-month (?) phase before she officially becomes a Maiko.

here he rushes back after sighting a geiko advancing right behind me.

valeyoshino, -julianol-, Miegiku, and 32 other people added this photo to their favorites.

  1. =Arjay= 64 months ago | reply

    I am on my knees chanting, 'we're not worthy, we're not worthy'. If I was a publisher or had reason to display this image to the world, I would....it truly is a classy shot....Well done!

  2. -julianol- 64 months ago | reply

    Very nice capture.

  3. dlumenta 64 months ago | reply

    Arjayphotography & Gaijin: Thanks!

  4. Miegiku 63 months ago | reply

    Ah the "learning by observation stage" of a maiko's training. They look so cute with han-dara.

  5. dlumenta 63 months ago | reply

    martin_nieto: thanks!

  6. Rob_Chan 52 months ago | reply

    Amazing pic. You can clearly see the extreme enthusiasm (albeit humorous at the same time) on his expression. But it's going to be really scary to see someone with such a weirdly happy look running towards you, especially for maikos, ah ha ha.

  7. ewoodham 40 months ago | reply

    This was Fumitama.

  8. dlumenta 40 months ago | reply

    @ewoodham: thanks! just realized flickr has become some sort of visual historical documentation in its own right....can't imagine the breadth of maiko/geiko photo collections within the next 10 years....

  9. ewoodham 40 months ago | reply

    I know! It's only been in the past, maybe, 2 years that there's been an absolute influx of information for foreigners online. It's easy enough to learn while in Kyoto, but it used to be a complete nightmare when you left!
    I try to do my part m(_ _)m

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