An American "MAIKO", a photo from Tokyo, Kanto

Photographer's Note

She is a very famous an American "maiko" who livs in Asakusa, Tokyo for a long time. She follows this style not only this day, usualy everyday, because she is a professional "maiko" and very favorite by many Japanese customoers.
As several friends' request, I will clarify roughly to all TE friends the defiition & diffirence of "oiran","geisha","maiko" and "geiko" according to the dictionary as follows :
1."oiran": a top star among the commercial sex workers
2."geisha": an entertainer of the banquet by singing, dancing and playing the traditional Japanese instuments
3."maiko": an entertainer of the banquet by dancing only(usually and basicaly not use dancing and playing the traditional Japanese instuments)
4."geiko": another name of "geisha" specailly used in western area(in Kyoto and Oasaka)

So her function is to dance to the guest in a banquet.

Are you sure of each defiition & the diffirence ?

worldcitizen, ikeharel, abmdsudi, saxo042, Kofman, randomgal ha contrassegnato questa nota come utile

Critiques | Translate

mikolaj_kawa (0) 2010-05-29 14:26

Hello Takero! Interesting face, very interesting maquillage, sophisticated portrait. Well done!

Budapestman (82620) 2010-05-29 16:13

Hi Takero,
an another superb portrait with attractive composition and colours, excellent shot, Tfs! Have a nice weekend! Kellemes hétvégét Kívánok!
George (György)

abmdsudi (88509) 2010-05-29 22:09

hi takero,
she must have adapted very well into the local culture after so many years in Japan, thus I call her 'Japmerican'. Out standing fig, good portrait with contrasty colors of blue/white/black and red. Well composed, Sharp detail on the face, the focal point here. successful photo. thanks for sharing and useful notes,
arigato
warm rgds

saxo042 (38078) 2010-05-30 7:23

Hi Takero,
I appreciate your explaning note, thanks! This woman(?) looks indeed different from your usual beautiful Japanese women. I have a feeling that this kind of makeup doesn´t suit her very much. But still a very good and interesting photo from you!
Kind regards
Gunnar

Olrik (1645) 2010-05-30 9:40

Hi Takero,
Interesting explanation and good portrait but I must say that I agree with saxo042. Perhaps we should add a fifth categorie : the "fake maiko". This american woman is without a doubt a curiosity but... wel, that's all : she's condemned to be a "curiosity", nothing more.
Olivi

bebbetto (120) 2010-05-31 6:20

Fascinating "western" maiko dear Takero !
Mature, but still beautiful.
Great shot. Colours and details excellent

KateinDenmark (1634) 2010-05-31 11:26

Very interesting photo. Despite the heavy make-up my first thought was 'is that a cross-dresser?' I guess not, but she is not the typical Japanese woman. I like this photo because it brings out my assumptions and makes me rethink them. I can't help but wondering if this outfit makes it easier to be a foreigner in Japan. Good post.

Sincerely,
Kate

PixelTerror (0) 2010-06-02 9:57