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4Clarice — Travelling Maiko
Published: 2005-12-21 05:03:07 +0000 UTC; Views: 784; Favourites: 14; Downloads: 45
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Description
Maiko on her way to her taxi.Recent Edit: Cloned out the advertisements.
Gion, Kyoto, Japan
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Comments: 28
I was in Gion right around the time it was getting dark. I saw many Maiko but wasn't able to get any really good shots. They move fast!
This is a wonderful picture. The bright colors stand out nicely from the dark background.
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yes, they do move really fast. That's why I got such a blur on Geisha on the Run. I happen to luck out that most of the picture is clear, but her head piece is blurred.
Thanks so much!
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Maiko san. Aww, I'm quite envious you managed to find one. I went to Kyoto last year, on my first anniversary here in Japan. I specifically requested to go to Gion in hopes of spotting a lovely maiko/geisha...but no luck! Well, may this year be a better one...
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If you happen to visit Kyoto again, you can go back to the Gion area. Locate the Ichiriki-jaya tea house, here you should be able to find geisha or maiko leaving for their evening appointments. [link] They will usually begin to leave around 5:15P.M. or so. There are usually lots of other onlookers around jockeying for a good position to view these lovely ladies.
Another possible way to see them is through the following link. [link] I did not use them myself simply because I didn't find it until we were back home from Kyoto.
Also, we did find locations where you can be dressed in kimono and be made up like a geisha. After they are finished, your picture will be taken. I think this costs about 12,000 yen, but not positive. I don't know if it would be a good way to see a geisha or maiko, but it would be fun. By the time we found it, I was completely exhausted so I did not have it done.
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Thank you for all your advice. I'm not certain if I can go back to Kyoto this year, but I would really love to. It was rather silly of me back then, because I didn't make any research (be it google) as to how to find some maiko, I just thought then that they would be scattered around Gion area (or at least their lookalikes/wannabees), needless to say I was wrong.
Perhaps it is important to be prepared for trips like this (another lesson learned).
I thought that part of being dressed like a geisha was rather a bit of a ripoff (as most Japanese would say so), but I'm not really sure. It did look fun when I watched it on telly some time back...
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Yeah, doing your research definitely does help. However, with all the research that we did before hand, I still came back and found stuff that we wanted to see. A really good book that we used in Fodor's for Japan. It has lots of info including maps for the major cities in Japan. It gives ideas for intineraries whether you have one day, two days, or a week.
We also have a book called Tokyo for free. You could probably find a lot of these books in the Takashimaya in Shinjuku. I think that it is on the 7th floor, but am not positive.
I didn't realize that dressing like a geisha was considered a rip off. I will keep that in mind if we ever head back down to Kyoto.
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Ah, yes, Kinokuniya in Shinjuku, I think that's the biggest branch around here. I will have a look at your suggested books.
Normally I just ask some people around about their recommended places to visit, but yes, recently I've realized it's nice planning your own trips (and even looking around on your own).
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wow...this is a really nice picture.
I like how she is off to one side of the picture and the rest is practically blank. It makes a nice set up.
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Thank you!
I took this picture just by chance. Off to either side of the shot where gobs of people just jumping at the chance to see and photograph her. It was pure madness!
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heh~ I can imagine...I've seen lots of other pictures with the woman surrounded by people taking pictures.
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Yep, those completely depict what actually occurs. If you can make it there one day, I would absolutely recommend it.
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Yea, I plan on going back to Japan again in a couple years...when I can actualy speak the language
...I was there some years ago when I was 11...I definetly want to go back for at least a year....well...maybe not the whole summer...it's soo hot.
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Did you learn any Japanese while you were here? Are you studying it now? It is a hard language to learn and to speak. I have an easier time reading the kana than the kanji and speaking it.
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I went on a trip with a bunch of other kids from the USA through a company. I only learned a few phrases while I was there ( it was only 10 days 
Because my school stopped teaching Japanese I took German. So it will sadly be about another yearish before I can finally take it in college. *sigh*
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If you are interested in learning more Japanese, here is a couple of sites that will get you started.
[link] Here's a good site to read. Its got all 3 writing systems. Of course, hiragana and katakana are the easiest to learn. You just have to stick with it and do it like everyday.
Another favorite is [link] This section of the site is written by a native Japanese speaker who writes for about.com.
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about a year ago I nearly knew all the hiragana and katakana...but you forget them easily...trust me -_-*
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Beautiful geisha! It's a shame that the advertisements are there too! 
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So, should I upload the one without the advertisements?
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Have you got one? That would be great!!! Thanks!
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Yes. I do. I should do that later on today. Thanks for the help.
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Would be absolutely wonderful without those bloody signs.
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Yep! Hard to avoid street signs and power lines in Japan.
Thanks, love!
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That is absolutely lovely. I love Japan, I want to go some day.
This is a very original, interesting capture.
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Thank you so much.
I hope that you do get to visit Japan one day. If you do get to come here, Go to Kyoto. If you are interested, read this page [link] and this one about Geisha (Geiko) [link]
Thanks for the
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The thumb for this photo almost looked like it was drawn
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Interesting. Thanks for commenting.
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